Events And Activities

Sunday, June 1st, 2025—SAVE THE DATE!! That is the date for the Benton County Relay For Life beginning at 6:00 PM at the Benton Community MS/HS track in Van Horne. 2025 is the 40th Anniversary for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life! Relay For Life was started by one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt, in 1985. Dr. Klatt ran around a Tacoma, WA track for 24 hours, raising $27,000.

Back by popular demand, the Center Point Historical Society spring plant swap will be Sunday, May 18, from 2-5 p.m. at the Depot Museum Trail Room.The swapping will follow a 2 p.m. talk on heirloom tomatoes by Historical Society president and plant pusher Dennis Schlicht.Bring your excess seeds and seedlings to swap or just give a good home to other people’s surplus of perennials, baby vegetable plants and annuals, houseplants and, no doubt, some heirloom tomatoes.

Join the Benton County Historical Society for a presentation by Dave Baker as he shares his presentation entitled, "Blindness, Bandages and Backstories: The Medical History of Benton County."Take a fascinating and sometimes alarming trip through the 19th century medical care in Benton County. Using first-person narratives, cure-all testimonies, and the latest in medical technology (a la 1890), Dave will bring you a history of Benton County that will have you thinking: dang, we’ve never had it so good!The event will be held at the High School Auditorium in Vinton, on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.

Community VBS will be held at the Vinton Presbyterian Church, located at 608 1st Ave. in Vinton from Sunday, July 20th through Thursday, July 24th. There will be an optional light supper served at 5:30 p.m. for the participants. The fun will begin at 6:00 p.m. and wrap up at 8:00 p.m. each night.Come on out to meet some new friends, enjoy some amazing experiments, play some creative games and enjoy some super-fun snacks.

Mindful Movement with Kellie, for kids, Friday May 23rd at 6pmA Mindful Movement class for youth only. Youth will learn mindfulness techniques, as well as yoga. Participants are required to fill out a waiver form by a parent/guardian.Email kroberts@vintonia.gov for a copy of the parent waiver

Celebrate 125 Years of History at the Vinton Train Depot! Saturday, June 7th, 10 AM – 2 PM Vinton Train DepotJoin us as we celebrate the Quasquicentennial (that’s 125 years!) of the Vinton Train Depot—a proud piece of our town’s history that helped put Vinton on the map! Entertainment Delicious Food Local Train History Fun for All AgesBring the whole family and take a step back in time as we honor the legacy of the rails, share stories, and make new memories together.

Scenic Views by Foot with Tyler Sullivan, Tuesday, May 13th at 6pmJoin us on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, for a presentation from Tyler Sullivan. Tyler is an Iowa native who has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout Iowa. He runs at least one mile in each of the cities he visits and writes a poem about each county. His presentation includes a slide show about his journey and showcases the beauty of Iowa.

You're welcome to join us at the Shellsburg Public Library to learn the Master Gardener Gardening Basics! All ages are welcome, bring along the kids!We will meet on Saturday, May 3 from 9:30-11:00 a.m.The Library is located at 110 Main St. in Shellsburg. If you have questions, you can call 319-436-2112 or email at director@Shellsburg.lib.ia.us. Find us on Facebook at Shelleburg IA Public Library.

Fifty years later, people are still arguing about the Vietnam War. However, the personal impact and personal truth of the war for that generation is not arguable.Cedar Rapids storyteller Darrin Crow and his wife Robin will tell a personal part of the war on Monday, May 12, at 6:30, at the Andersen Center Point Library.Their free program—“Beyond the Beaten Path: One War, Four Iowans and their Journey to Home and Love”-- is sponsored by Friends of the Center Point Library.

The Shellsburg Public Library will have an opportunity to participate in an Adult Craft Night at two different times...April 24th 5:30-7:30 or May 6th 5:30-7:30.Jaime S. is providing her homegrown and cleaned gourds for this project. She will be your instructor for a fun night where you will paint or draw your design on the gourd and also learn about the ageing and cleaning process.