Oct. 3-9, 2025

Fall Fest Oct. 4

Join Polk City Parks & Rec and Go Polk City to celebrate all things fall on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2-6 p.m. at the Town Square. Kids activities will include pumpkin painting, face painting, inflatables, train rides, character appearances and more. Seasonal vendors will be selling their best fall treats and some delicious eating options as well. Enjoy live entertainment and more.

Fall Festival Bazaar and Bake Sale

The Sheldahl United Women In Faith invite you to stop into the Sheldahl United Methodist Church, Sixth and Hubbell, Sheldahl, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to noon. Homemade chicken and noodles, rugs, nuts, cards, baked goods and craft items will be for sale.

Drive-thru Cavatelli Lunch

This fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elkhart Christian Church, 252 N.W. Washington Ave., Elkhart. Drive up, place your order, and the cavatelli is brought to your car for a freewill donation. 

Bake Sale and Dinner

Come to the Polk City O.E.S. Chapter No. 361 Masonic Temple, 106 Third St., Polk City, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a bake sale and dinner. Homemade mincemeat and apple butter nuts are featured. Dinner will be served at 11 a.m. Prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-10, younger than 5 free. Carryout will be available.

Polk County Conservation events

Visit www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events for information about upcoming programs offered by Polk County Conservation and for registration links.

Arachnology - Spiders. Sunday, Oct. 5, 1-2:30 p.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. Get ready to face your fears and develop a greater web of knowledge as we discuss Arachnology: the study of spiders. Learn from a naturalist what makes spiders so creepy, what they do for us, what all those legs are for, and more as you conquer your fears or grow your love for spiders even more. 

Adults Only Night Hike. Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30-9 p.m., Thomas Mitchell Park, 4590 N.E. 108th St., Mitchellville. Meet at the pond parking lot. Enjoy a fall evening with a guided hike through the park with other adults. Experience the world as nocturnal animals do. Afterward, enjoy s’mores around a campfire. Registration required by Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Introduction to Water Color. Saturday, Oct.18, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Easter Lake Event Center, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines. This class is for those who may have never painted a day in their life or may have dabbled a little with watercolor but would like to learn more. The group will start with the basics, discussing paints, brushes, paper and technique before moving on to painting their first work of art. Class includes instructor, paints, brushes, spray bottle, paper and art board. Pack a sack lunch, as we will take a short lunch break halfway through the class. Registration required by Friday, Oct. 10.

Polk City Community Library news

1500 W. Broadway   |   515-984-6119   |   www.polkcitylibrary.org

FallFest Mini-Golf: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m. Join us at FallFest on the Polk City Square for a fun mini-golf course sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Un-Schooled: School’s out — fun’s ON! Monday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. Join us each month for a special activity on Monday teacher in-service days when North Polk Schools are out. Get in the Halloween spirit with a Halloween-themed movie and craft.

Crafternoon - Beaded Spiders: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. Online registration is required via our website event calendar at polkcitylibrary.org.

Wednesday Book Club: Oct. 8, 7 p.m. (Date change applies to October only). “James” by Percival Everett. When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft on the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library's front desk.

Friends of the Library Quarterly Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Homeschool Hangout: Thursday, Oct. 9, 2 p.m. Looking for a fun, low-key way for your homeschooler to meet other kids in the community? Homeschool Hangout is a relaxed meet-up for homeschoolers ages 8 and older. No formal lessons, just a chance to connect, chat and create in a welcoming space while new friendships take shape.

Block Party – LEGO Club: Monday, Oct.13, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Meets monthly for ages 8-16. Registration required at polkcitylibrary.org.

Comets Kids Club K-5th graders: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m. This club meets each month for a fun, hands-on craft or activity. October craft is a Ghost in a Jar. Registration required.

Paint Just Like Bob Ross in One Night: Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Discover your inner artist with our Bob Ross Certified Painting Class. Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this one-time, three-hour class offers a welcoming and supportive environment to explore the joy of painting. Ages 17 and older. Registration is required.

Monday Book Club: Oct. 20, 2 p.m. “The Choice” by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. At the age of 16, Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Hours after her parents were killed, Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele forced Edie to dance for his amusement and her survival. Thirty-five years after the war ended, she returned to Auschwitz and was finally able to fully heal and forgive the one person she’d been unable to forgive — herself. Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library's front desk.

Area events

Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

Scarecrow Festival
Recurring daily through Nov. 2
Center Grove Orchard, 32835 610th Ave., Cambridge
www.centergroveorchard.com
A farm-wide celebration filled with colorful displays, playful scarecrows, and the warm spirit of the season. Weekend admission is $25.95 at the gate and $21.95 online. Weekdays admission is $17.95 at the gate and $15.95 online Monday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesdays costing $13.95.

Apple and Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel
www.willsfamilyorchard.com
Enjoy wagon rides, corn maze and corn pool and, of course, apple and pumpkin picking. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Activity passes are $11, children 2 and younger free.

Family Halloween at Living History Farms
Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
www.lhf.org/event/halloween
Enjoy trick or treating in the 1876 town on Walnut Hill, games, demonstrations and more fun. Cost is $11 in advance and $12 at the door. Kids 2 and younger free.

Phantom Fall Festival
Every weekend through Oct. 26
3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
www.adventurelandresort.com/discover-adventureland-resort/Phantom-Fall-Fest
Adventureland hosts its fall festival with several haunted houses, ghosts, ghouls, goblins and more. Admission $34.99 online, which is half-price.

Banned Books Festival at Franklin Event Center
Saturday, Oct. 11 from noon to 5 p.m.
Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines
All ages are invited to this free event hosted by Beaverdale Books, celebrating the Freedom to Read. This is a great chance to join with like-minded folks who share their thoughts on the subject of book bans, censorship and the future. Bring the family and enjoy a story time, author talks, poetry readings and more. Visit with nonprofit organizations and enjoy learning more about the current lawsuit and Senate File 491. There will be a pop-up shop as well.

Des Moines Art Center Museum Highlights Tour
Saturdays, 1-2 p.m.
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines
Discover the vast variety of the Des Moines Art Center’s permanent collections during the Museum Highlights Tour. This tour offers a unique journey through the galleries, featuring a selection of timeless paintings, sculptures and more. Join knowledgeable guides to uncover the stories, techniques and inspirations behind the art on view, and experience the highlights of the Art Center in a fresh and engaging way. This guided tour is perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages. Free to all, no registration required.

(Family Features) Packed with protein and natural sweetness, this chocolate cherry cheesecake smoothie bowl is a perfect complement for a back-to-structure fall schedule. Enjoy this creamy, nutritious smoothie bowl as a satisfying breakfast to start to the day or filling afternoon snack during a jam-packed day of activities. For those days that are even busier, add milk to make it a refreshing on-the-go drinkable smoothie.

Find more recipes at realcaliforniamilk.com/recipes.

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie Bowl
Recipe courtesy of Real California Milk
Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Real California cottage cheese
• 1 cup frozen cherries, plus 2 cherries for garnish (optional)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-4 chopped prunes, to taste
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs, plus extra for garnish (optional)
• 1 pinch salt
• graham cracker crumbs, for garnish (optional)
• 1/2 cup Real California milk (optional)

Directions:

• In blender jar, pulse cottage cheese, 1 cup cherries, cocoa powder, prunes, flaxseed, 1 tablespoon cacao nibs and salt on low.
• Remove lid and scrape down sides of jar with silicone spatula.
• Return lid to blender jar and blend on high about 30 seconds until smooth, creamy texture is achieved.
• If necessary, scrape down sides of jar again and pulse until smooth.
  Garnish with remaining cherries, cacao nibs and ground graham crackers, if desired.
• Tip: To make drinkable smoothie instead of smoothie bowl, add milk.

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