October 3~11, 2026
✋ #1 ELKADER: ART IN THE PARK ~ Oct. 3 & 4
This absolutely stays. Today 10~5 and Sunday 10~3 at Founders Park. It’s a juried fine-art festival with artists, live music, food and drink, and free children’s art activities. Admission and parking are free.
✋ #2 McGREGOR: HEAVY METAL PLAYGROUND ~ TODAY, Oct. 3
3~5 p.m. at McGregor’s Landing/First Street Parking Lot. Kids and families can climb aboard and explore fire trucks, semis, tractors and construction equipment while meeting some of the people who operate them. Even better, the event supports Smith & Little Bulldog Childcare Centers.
✋ #3 WAUKON: THE GREAT PUMPKIN HUNT ~ Oct. 1~17
Hidden pumpkins each contain a letter; participants find the letters, unscramble the secret fall phrase and can turn in the answer for a chance at a Goodfella’s gift card. The drawing is Oct. 17.
✋ #4 DECORAH: ROTARIAN STORYTIME ~ Wednesday, Oct. 7
10 a.m. at Decorah Public Library. Three members of the Decorah Rotary Club will each share a story with children. I especially like this one because it ties into something bigger: Rotary also provided a 2026~27 grant for the library to purchase children’s materials. No registration is required.
✋ #5 NORTHEAST IOWA ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR ~ OCT. 9~11
The 29th annual tour returns Friday through Sunday, with artist studios throughout Northeast Iowa open 10 a.m.~5 p.m. each day. Decorah serves as the hub for the self~guided tour, which reaches roughly 40 miles in all directions.
❤️ A little Word ’Round Town reminder: Event details can change, so please check with the event organizer or official event page for the latest information before heading out.
Deliverance Hope ~ word-round-town.com
Keep Goin’ ‘Round Town
There’s always another story waiting just around the corner.