Freedom Truck mobile museum
May 12 to 22: Freedom Truck, Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Come see the mobile museum traveling the country for USA 250. Learn how the13 colonies declared and won independence from Great Britain. Free.
Barnyard Readers: America’s Founding Figures
May 16: Barnyard Readers: America’s Founding Figures, 9:30 a.m., Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Children ages 3 to 5 with an accompanying adult will read “John, Paul, George and Ben” and “Leave it to Abigail,” about some important figures who helped found the United States. Program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Registration is required at lhf.org. For parent and child, $34, for members, $30; for each additional child, $12, $10 for members.
87th North Iowa Band Festival
May 21: 87th North Iowa Band Festival, 8 a.m., downtown Mason City, 9 N Federal Ave., Mason City
Held in the home of “The Music Man,” the North Iowa Band Festival is the largest free marching band competition in the Midwest. This year’s theme, for USA 250, is “Bands, Birthdays, and Brass.”
America 250 Book Club
May 21: America 250 Book Club: “Summer of 1787,” 7 p.m., Living History Farms, Learning Center, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
“Summer of 1787” by David Stewart is this month’s reading, with excerpts from the Federalist Papers. The book club is a read-and-discuss group focusing on the people and documents that shaped our American experiences. Secondary authors will provide context and insight and primary works will provide perspectives on the ideals of the people of the revolutionary era and how those ideas have evolved into our own time. Registration is required at least one week in advance of the session at lhf.org. Per session, $12; free for Living History Farms members.
Iowa towns photo collage
Sons of the American Revolution is collecting a photograph of every Iowa city and town for a combined collage of all 934 in Iowa. Do you have a great photo from an Iowa town to contribute? Send it to MJR1825@gmail.com.
Hoover on the Road
Through May 30: Hoover on the Road, Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
Learn about President Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian legacy. The exhibit highlights his work as an engineer, global problem solver and public servant whose influence extended far beyond his presidency. Free 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through April 29. Included with general admission April 30 to May 30.
Choose Iowa Calendar Contest
Through June 1: Choose Iowa Calendar Contest
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig invited school-aged Iowa students to participate in the 2026 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest, submitting artwork that combines Iowa agriculture with a patriotic theme. Naig will recognize the winning artists during an awards ceremony Aug. 18 in the Agriculture Building during the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Winning submissions will also be included in the 2026/2027 Choose Iowa calendar distributed by the Department of Agriculture. For details and requirements, visit the Choose Iowa website at chooseiowa.com and click on the Kids & Teachers tab.
Coolest Thing Made in Iowa
Through June 3: Coolest Thing Made in Iowa, ABI, 400 East Court Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines
The Coolest Thing Made in Iowa highlights products made by Iowa manufacturers, many of whom have been in business for generations. The competition includes products that have been key to the success of our country and state in the last 250 years. For more information, go to coolestthingia.com
Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge and Quilts of Valor Exhibit
Through July 5: In Flanders Field the Poppies Grow: Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge and Quilts of Valor Exhibit, 10 a.m., Iowa Quilt Museum, 68 E Court Ave., Winterset
The exhibit includes a collection of six quilts of valor surrounded by 225 Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge quilts that have a military or veteran theme. Also on display: an American Album quilt featuring 50 states in the order of when they joined the Union.
250th anniversary of the United States trailer display
Through July 31: 250th anniversary of the United States trailer display, Wilson Trailer Co., 4400 S Lewis Blvd., Sioux City
Wilson Trailer has created a custom vinyl-wrapped grain trailer featuring the American flag. The trailer is displayed on the roadside. Throughout the year, it will travel across the United States and be showcased at various farm shows.
40th Anniversary Summer Iowa Games
Through Aug. 31. 40th Anniversary Summer Iowa Games
The Summer Iowa Games presented by Grinnell Mutual will celebrate 40 years of sports with its annual multi-sport festival. More than 40 sports at sites throughout Iowa will be offered for athletes of all ages and abilities. For locations and details, visit iowagames.org.
250 Stops in 250 Days along Iowa’s Lincoln Highway
Through Sept. 5: 250 Stops in 250 Days along Iowa’s Lincoln Highway (online event)
The Lincoln Highway was America’s first planned, improved and promoted transcontinental automobile route. Over 250 days, the Facebook page Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway will highlight a different stop daily, from monuments and museums to restaurants and roadside markers, on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway, a designated National Scenic Byway.
Prairie, Plows, and the People’s College
Through Oct. 2: Prairie, Plows, and the People’s College, Farm House Museum, 601 Farm House Lane, Ames
This exhibition honors key people, moments, objects, and experiences with more than 250 primary source objects representing six themes: early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm; early Iowa; immigration; national imagery; native stories; and innovation and the Victorian home.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to know about USA 250 events coming up in Iowa
Reporting by Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
