101 Things to Do... 2020-2021 | Page 12

37. 41. Indian Hills Celebrity Night Pancake Day This annual fundraiser for the community college begins with a reception, followed by a welcome and dinner with the featured speaker. The event concludes with an auction. The featured 2020 celebrity is yet to be announced, but the event is set for 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 15. All proceeds go toward IHCC student scholarships. Registration opens in August. For more information, visit www.indianhills.edu under the Alumni & Giving Events page. Since 1949, Centerville has celebrated Pancake Day on the Centerville square. It began as a way for local businesses to say thank you to their patrons. It’s held the last Saturday in September, making this year’s celebration Sept. 26. Main attractions of the day include free pancakes in the morning, a Kiddie Parade, the Pancake Day Queen contest, entertainment throughout the day, and the Big Parade. 42. Partners in Progress banquet 38. 38 Makers’ Market The event for local and regional vendors, artists and artisans, runs 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19. Vendors line Canteen Alley with their wares. For more information, contact Main Street Ottumwa. 39. Mayhem Haunted House This haunted house is a fundraiser for Wapello County 4-H and is staged on the third floor of the expo grounds, 13011 120th Ave. It is put together by the same people that brought the Nightmare on 3rd St. Haunted House in the basement of City Hall. Volunteers work to make the haunted house fresh and scarier each year. For more information and 2020 dates, visit the Mayhem Haunted House page on Facebook. 40. Oktoberfest/Rotary Chicken Barbecue Celebrate fall with the Ottumwa Oktoberfest celebration. The event runs the first weekend of October and features the beer and brat tent, live music, kiddie parade, big parade and more. Events typically run Wednesday through Saturday. The event unofficially kicks off Tuesday evening with the Ottumwa Rotary Chicken Barbecue, served at Bridge View Center in recent years. 12 | 101 Things To Do In Southeast Iowa The annual banquet celebrates Ottumwa’s progress, and the winner of the Gene Schultz volunteer award is announced. The annual banquet is held at Bridge View Center and includes a social hour, dinner, and keynote address on top of the award presentation. Reservations are required and can be made by contacted the Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress office. 43. Senior Expo Get expert advice on all things senior living, whether you’re retired, approaching retirement or are the caretaker of a senior citizen. Vendor booths line Bridge View Center with speakers in the conference rooms. It is held in conjunction with a special Ottumwa Courier publication covering topics of interest to that age group. This annual event is hosted by the Courier and is set for Oct.1. 40