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Oktoberfest / Rotary Chicken Barbecue
Celebrate fall with the Ottumwa Oktoberfest celebration . The 2024 event starts Oct . 1 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 with the Ottumwa Rotary Chicken Barbecue , served at Bridge View Center .
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Pancake Day
The 75th annual event is set for Sept . 28 . Held on the Centerville square , the event began in 1949 as a way for local businesses to say thank you to their patrons and is held annually on the last Saturday of September . Main attractions of the day include free pancakes in the morning , a Kiddie Parade , the Pancake Day Queen contest , entertainment and the Big Parade . Fore more information and a schedule of events , visit pactiowa . org .
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Southern Iowa Junk Journey
The event is held twice a year over a three-day period . The first outing is June 7-9 , and the fall edition of the journey will be Oct . 18-20 . Visitors can shop with vendors in both Appanoose and Monroe counties , and shop antiques and collectibles .
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VIVA Ottumwa Festival
Celebrate the diversity of the Ottumwa community with a day of music , dance , food , drinks and activities for all ages Sept . 7 at Quincy Place Mall . The event will feature food vendors , shopping opportunities and a schedule for the stage for professional music groups and dance troupes representing cultures from Latin America , Africa and Southeast Asia . For more details , visit the festival ’ s Facebook page .
FINE ARTS
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FACE Art Center
The Fine Arts and Cultural Events of Mahaska County ’ s art center is an art gallery that has studio space and classes for all ages in pottery , screen printing and other art styles . The center is also a venue for performances . The Oskaloosa Art Center is located in The Alley at 115 First Ave . W . in Oskaloosa .
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Fairfield First Fridays
As the name suggests , art and community events are held through Fairfield the first
Friday of each month . The organization aims to celebrate creativity , culture and community with its events , including bringing diverse groups together to express their creativity and passion for the arts . What began in 2002 morphed into Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk and was recently changed to Fairfield First Fridays to focus more on community events . For more information , visit fairfieldfirstfridays . org .
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George Daily Auditorium
The George Daily Auditorium has been a fixture in Oskaloosa since 1997 . As the community ’ s go-to hub for premiere performing arts events and education , the George Daily pres-
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