Upcoming Events

Autumn Acres

Music by Jake Beaty

2nd Annual Oskaloosa Optimist Kite Festival

2nd Annual Mission Sky Bound Kite Festival

The Oskaloosa Optimist Club is hosting a kite festival for all ages. Bring a kite to fly, build your own kit on site, food trucks, concessions, and lots of fun! Come and see the professionals fly their huge kites.

Power Lunch: AI That Actually Works: Practical Tools for Your Business

AI That Actually Works: Practical Tools for Your Business with Chris Snider and Chris Porter

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Oskaloosa Homecoming Parade

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

Girl Scouts Experiment Night

Join us to find new friends, make a DIY lava lamp, and learn all about being a Girl Scout at this free, hands-on event. Participants get to take their lava lamps home. Girls and adults can sign up for Girl Scouts on the spot or take home information about the organization. All are welcome; grown-ups are required to attend with their girls. RSVPs encouraged but not required to attend: https://www.girlscoutsiowa.org/en/get-involved/join/membership-event-rsvp.html

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Book Signing with Author Jamie Hulker of "Esteemed" and "Entrusted"

Have you ever wondered what the Bible actually says about women—and what their accounts reveal about God and His heart toward them... and toward you?

You'll find those answers in the brand-new narrative Entrusted: Women in God's Redemptive Plan or the newly revised, award-winning Bible study Esteemed: God and His View of Women.

For generations, women in the Bible have been overlooked, misunderstood, or disconnected from the larger biblical narrative. But what if these accounts are far more central to what God was accomplishing than we've ever considered?

Drawing on years of study, teaching, and research, and deeply rooted in Scripture, both resources trace the accounts of women from Genesis to the early church. In that process, they reveal a vital truth: God entrusts women with significant roles in His redemptive plan—and He always has.

Whether you choose the narrative journey of Entrusted or the in-depth Bible study Esteemed, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the God who profoundly loves and purposefully includes women—and the confidence that He always will.

Power of the PURSE

Ladies ONLY 21+ event
Individual tickets- $50
Table of 8- $350
Sponsorship Only- $250
Sponsorship & Table - $550
RSVP by September 24th
*All Sponsorships & and donations will be highlighted on programs. If you wish to keep your sponsorship anonymous, please contact the United Way office at (641) 673-6043. Checks can be made out to: United Way Mahaska County. Receipts for taxes will be given once payment is submitted.

Paint & Pottery Class

by Apple Barn Painting

Coffee Club

Drop in and join us for fresh coffee and tasty treats on a Coffee Club day. We talk
about upcoming programs, volunteer opportunities with Mahaska County
Conservation, and about everything in nature. This month, bring a coffee cup or
mug that has Halloween or fall decorations on it to take part in a door prize.
Registration is not needed, and we meet upstairs in the Discovery Lab.

O.W.L.S. “Behind the Badge: Meet the Park Rangers"

Adults of all ages are invited to join O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) for an informative program about
park rangers. What does it take to care for our county parks? Join Mahaska County Conservation’s park
rangers for an inside look at their work. They will discuss their many responsibilities, share memorable
experiences, and explain how their skills and roles have grown over the years. Come meet the people working
behind the scenes to maintain, improve, and protect our parks—and bring your questions! Pre-registration is
appreciated. You can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page, by calling (641)673-9327, or emailing
decook@mahakacountyia.gov

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

Live Music w/ Trevor Rau

Awakening Grace's 5K Remembrance Color Run

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

WPU Pep Band

Are you interested in adding native plants to your garden while saving money? Why not try growing your own native plants? Late fall is actually the time to start! Dan Sears, Iowa Prairie Network vice president, will present on growing your own natives from seed.  He'll bring free samples of beginner-friendly native plant seeds to help you bring nature home.  The presentation is hosted by the Mahaska County Master Gardeners and will be held Saturday October 3 at 10 am at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Mahaska County office (212 North I Street, Oskaloosa).  

The Iowa Prairie Network (IPN) is a grass roots, volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  It was formed in 1990 and is dedicated to the preservation of Iowa's prairie heritage.  Now, less than 0.01% of Iowa's remnant prairie remains, highlighting the need for education and conservation.  IPN brings together interested individuals, organizations, and government agencies to locate, protect, and restore what remains of our prairie heritage before it disappears forever. 

This presentation is open to the public for anyone wishing to learn about the topic, both adults and youth.  There is no fee to attend due to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach–Mahaska County and Mahaska County Master Gardener support.   Registration is not required but appreciated.

To register, or for additional information about horticulture programming please contact Suzette Striegel, Mahaska County Extension Horticulture and Education Program Coordinator at the Mahaska County Extension office 212 North I Street, Oskaloosa, by phone 641-673-5841 or email striegel@iastate.edu  or https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska 

Mahaska County Master Gardeners are celebrating their twenty-third year.  The local program was organized after the county held their first training in 2003.  The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides current, research based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through programs and projects.  Master Gardeners receive horticulture training, and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service.  The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.  A training is planned to be held in Winter 2027. 

Autumn Acres

Elite Camp w/ William Penn Men's Basketball

2nd Annual FPC Classic Car Show

Miss to Mrs. Mahaska Co. Bridal Expo

Men's Meeting

Power Lunch: Smarter Marketing: Put AI to Work for Your Brand

Smarter Marketing: Put AI to Work for Your Brand with Chris Snider and Chris Porter

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

Knee-High Naturalists “Spider Web Building”

Get ready for some web-slinging fun! Children ages 5 and younger will discover different kinds of spider webs and learn how webs help spiders catch food, stay safe, and protect their eggs. Then each child can become a web slinger and build a spider web of their own! Pre-registrations are needed. Sign up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to hold the program.
 

STEAM Story Time

Sharing our Strength

Join the Mahaska Health Oncology Care Team for "Sharing our Strength", a support group for those in our community who have been affected by cancer.

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Art Uncorked!

Sip your favorite beverage and have fun painting a piece inspired by an example work of art. You will receive easy step-by-step instructions and personal attention from a professional art instructor. Select a session & register: https://faceofmahaska.com/art-uncorked/ Instructor:  Nicole Pitts $30 per person, bring a friend for $15

Campfire & Creatures

Gather around the campfire for an evening of stories, discovery, and nighttime wildlife! Meet
some of Iowa’s nocturnal animals through pelts, skulls, sounds, and other hands-on items.
Learn how owls, bats, raccoons, and other creatures use special adaptations to thrive after
dark. This cozy, family-friendly program is fun for all ages. We suggest bringing a lawnchair
or blanket to sit on. Registrations are NOT needed. Parking available in campground parking
lot. Look for a sign to direct you to a campsite

Fall Challenge Race

Fall Challenge Race- Hobby Stocks, Stock Cars, Crown Vics, Sport Mod, Sport Compacts

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

Shop The Alley

Book Signing with Author Ginny Graham

GINNY GRAHAM, Author of The Three Widow Series, presents Book 2: Mustard Seed Faith that Moves Mountains.

Nurse Marjorie Malone inherits a struggling machine shop that needs more than a defibrillator to survive. She knows hospital protocols and predictable chaos--not the messy world of CNC milling, bleeding budgets, and employee drama. Her plan is simple: get Malone Manufacturing ready for sale and return to the safety of eight-hour shifts.

But Malone Manufacturing's noisy, spark-filled world and its people complicates everything. Loyal Darren. Difficult Ted. Steady Paul.

If you enjoy stories of resilient women and authentic faith woven naturally into everyday life, and the redemptive beauty of community, I think you'll love walking alongside Marjorie and her "Soul Sisters" Angela (Wisteria) and Caroline (Trillium).

Ginny Graham draws from her experience in the business world.

She pours her hard-won lessons into the story of a widow plunged into a world she'd never planned.

Also check out her book Wisteria

Rekindling faith and purpose.

Book 1 of the Three Widow's Series

Autumn Acres

Fall Challenge Race

Fall Challenge Race- Last Race of the Season.

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Power Lunch: Your Story Is Your Superpower

Your Story Is Your Superpower with Scott Siepker, the “Iowa Nice Guy”

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

Farmer's Market

A nice hometown farmers' market. Includes a good selection of LOCAL seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and homemade items!

Harvest Hustle Fall Festival

On October 17, we'll be hosting the Harvest Hustle Fall Festival, benefiting the Eddyville Day Care. The event will include a 5K, Kids' Pumpkin Dash, Trunk or Treat, vendor market, food trucks, raffles, and more family-friendly fun throughout the day.

Whether you'd like to run, decorate a trunk, become a vendor, bring a food truck, volunteer, or simply attend and enjoy the day, we'd love your support.

For event details, registration information, and updates, check out the Facebook event below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EZmBxJRgm/

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Book signing w/ Lydia Grace Kaiser

Kaiser was raised Baptist and graduated from a conservative Bible college in 1988. She still considers herself conservative and staunchly defends "the inerrancy of the Bible in the original languages." After attending seminary and learning about the challenges of translation, Kaiser began to notice inconsistencies within various English versions and realized translators make choices based on ideology, especially in the case of gender. She began to study the history of the translations of those passages. 

In the last year, two large denominations (Southern Baptist Convention and Presbyterian Church of America) have taken steps to further restrict women from not only the title of "pastor" but from "pastoral function." Kaiser believes the time is right to help lay people understand the history and reasons for so much misunderstanding on this topic.

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

Recourses to Move Your Business Forward

Homeschool Science Lab “Bat Science”

Homeschool students are invited to discover the fascinating science of bats! Come learn about some of the bat species
found in Iowa, how bats benefit people and the environment, and explore how they use echolocation to find food in the
dark. Students will also investigate the special adaptations that make bats the only mammals capable of true flight. Preregistration is needed, and you can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to
hold the program.

STEAM Story Time

Exercise/Health Education

Join for an educational lesson on health and exercise with Suzette. Sometimes she even brings in health treats :) Free for all ages

Power Lunch: Stop the Scroll: Social Media That Gets Attention

Stop the Scroll: Social Media That Gets Attention with Ryan Snaadt

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Open Wall/Open Stage

Open Wall & Open Stage 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Karaoke 8:00PM – 9:00 PM

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Authors & Artists at William Penn University

Take a stroll through WPU’s Authors & Artists showcase, a gathering of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university with their creative works. This annual event is a great place to find those early Christmas gifts, a new book to read, or even commission a piece of artwork. Come enjoy the handiwork of William Penn creatives!

7th Annual Fall Fun Day & Scavenger Hunt

Small Animal & Bird Auction

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Halloween Bash

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Power Lunch: Building a Culture People Want to Be Part Of

Building a Culture People Want to Be Part Of with Oskaloosa Schools Superintendent Mike Fisher

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Boos & Brews

O.W.L.S. “Behind the Badge: Meet the Park Rangers"

Adults of all ages are invited to join O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls) for an informative program about
park rangers. What does it take to care for our county parks? Join Mahaska County Conservation’s park
rangers for an inside look at their work. They will discuss their many responsibilities, share memorable
experiences, and explain how their skills and roles have grown over the years. Come meet the people working
behind the scenes to maintain, improve, and protect our parks—and bring your questions! Pre-registration is
appreciated. You can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page, by calling (641)673-9327, or emailing
decook@mahakacountyia.gov

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

37th Annual Autumn Fest

Trick or treating Treats Refreshments Games No early line up or saving spots in line will be allowed anyone using foul language or rude behavior will be asked to leave In case of bad weather the event will be moved to October 31st

Trick or Treating at the Environmental Learning Center

Keep the Halloween fun going and swing by the Environmental Learning Center for more treats and spooky surprises! Show
off your costumes, collect candy, and check out the cool exhibits and live animals while you're here. Don’t forget to snap a
photo at our selfie station next to the life-sized Woolly Mammoth skeleton—it’s the perfect spot for costume pics! Trick-ortreating will be available while supplies last.
 

Trick or Treat

Truck or Treat

Come in costumes for treats, games, crafts, and photo ops! Fun for all ages!

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

Redneck Rally Race

Redneck Rally Race

Autumn Acres

Check Facebook for updates.

Redneck Rally Race

Redneck Rally Race

Men's Meeting

Womens's Meeting

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

Knee-High Naturalists “Feathered Friends”

Children ages 5 and younger are invited to have some fun with our feathered friends! We’ll learn about birds, what they eat, and how bird feeders help them find food. Each child will make a bird treat to take home and place in their yard. We’ll also venture
outdoors to help feed the birds at the Environmental Learning Center! Pre-registrations are needed, and you can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to hold the program.

STEAM Story Time

Power Lunch: Why Good Employees Stay

Why Good Employees Stay with Don McKee

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Coffee Club

Drop in and join us for fresh coffee and tasty treats on a Coffee Club day. We talk about upcoming
programs, volunteer opportunities with Mahaska County Conservation, and about everything in nature.
This month, bring a coffee cup or mug and a thankful comment to share to take part in a door prize.
Registration is not needed, and we meet upstairs in the Discovery Lab.

Men's Meeting

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Power Lunch: Turn Customers Into Connections

Turn Customers Into Connections with Jennifer Thomas and Barb Baker of the Iowa Center for Economic Success

All sessions will be held at The Hub, 108 First Ave. East in Oskaloosa. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program running from noon to 1 p.m. Mahaska Chamber members are just $15 per session, and nonmembers are $40. A catered lunch is included.

Come for one. Come for several. Come for all eight. Bring a colleague, meet other local business leaders, and leave with ideas you can put to work right away.

Advance registration is required to make sure we have lunch for everyone, so reserve your seat today:
https://osky.us/PowerLunchRegistration

We’re excited about this lineup and hope you’ll join us this fall.

Please forward this to additional people who might be interested in attending. 

Sharing our Strength

Join the Mahaska Health Oncology Care Team for "Sharing our Strength", a support group for those in our community who have been affected by cancer.

Wildlife Game Night

Bring the whole family for an evening of wildlife-themed fun! Test your knowledge and skills with Animal Sound Challenge,
Animal Track Match-Up, Food Web Challenge, Who Am I?, and other hands-on games. Participants of all ages can play,
learn, and discover fascinating facts about Iowa’s wildlife. No wildlife expertise is needed—just bring your sense of
adventure! Pre-registration is needed. Sign up with the QR code at the top of this page.

Book Signing with Julie Sunne

Visit Stepping Stones & Eagle's Nest Christian Bookstores for the Book Signing with Julie Sunne Author of “Thankful: a 90-Day Devotional & Gratitude Journal” and “Sometimes I Forget: 60 Reminders of Hope for Your Hard Days". Julie writes about finding real hope amid life's real struggles.

Art Uncorked!

Sip your favorite beverage and have fun painting a piece inspired by an example work of art. You will receive easy step-by-step instructions and personal attention from a professional art instructor. Select a session & register: https://faceofmahaska.com/art-uncorked/ Instructor:  Nicole Pitts $30 per person, bring a friend for $15

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

2nd Annual Turkey Trot

5k fun run - route on Oskaloosa paved trail. All proceeds are split between Oskaloosa and William Penn’s cross country programs

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

Unlocking Financing For Your Business

Unlocking Financing For Your Business

Homeschool Science Lab “Wild About Turkeys”

Get ready to gobble up some fun facts about wild turkeys! Kids will explore the turkey life cycle, discover what turkeys eat,
and learn about the different sounds they make. We’ll also uncover fascinating adaptations and surprising behaviors that
help wild turkeys survive. Everyone will leave with plenty of interesting turkey facts to share! Pre-registration is needed.
You can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to hold the program.
 

STEAM Story Time

Exercise/Health Education

Join for an educational lesson on health and exercise with Suzette. Sometimes she even brings in health treats :) Free for all ages

O.W.L.S. “Beyond the Gobble"

Adults of all ages are welcome to join the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier
Souls) program. Discover the fascinating life of Iowa’s wild turkeys! We’ll
explore their life cycle, diet, seasonal behaviors, communication, and
impressive adaptations. Learn what different turkey calls mean, how these
large birds survive throughout the year, and why they are an important part
of Iowa’s woodlands. You may be surprised by how much there is to learn
beyond the gobble! Pre-registration is appreciated. Please call (641) 673-
9327, email decook@mahaskacountyia.gov, or register online using the QR
code at the top of this page

Turn on the Lights! with Oskaloosa Main Street

Join us as we magically Turn on the Lights around the town square at 6:00 p.m. sharp!  

There will be horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa, Cookies, Cider, Hot Chocolate, and popcorn begin at 5pm! 

MAKE Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Open Wall/Open Stage

Open Wall & Open Stage 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Karaoke 8:00PM – 9:00 PM

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

Young Ambassador Ceremony

The Young Ambassador Contest is back!  One young man and one young lady will once again be chosen as Oskaloosa's young ambassadors. The winner will be determined by the amount of money raised, which will be used for local preschools & daycares along with the Lighted Christmas Parade

The king and queen will be announced on Monday, November 30 @ 6:00 pm in Penn Central Mall. All participants will receive great prizes and will have the opportunity to participate in the "Winter Wonderland: Let it Glow" Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7pm.

 

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Womens's Meeting

Holiday Tour of Homes

Coffee Club

Drop in and join us for fresh coffee and tasty treats on a Coffee Club day. We talk about upcoming
programs, volunteer opportunities with Mahaska County Conservation, and about everything in nature.
This month, bring a coffee cup or mug that has Christmas decorations on it to take part in a door prize.
Registration is not needed, and we meet upstairs in the Discovery Lab.

O.W.L.S. “Christmas Cookie Decorating”

Adults of all ages are welcome to join the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls)
program for a festive afternoon of holiday cookie decorating. We had so much
fun doing this last year, we are doing it again! Bring a friend and enjoy a cozy,
creative time decorating homemade sugar cookies. We’ll have coffee, hot
chocolate, plenty of cookies to sample, and lots of holiday cheer! Preregistration is needed to reserve a seat. Please call (641) 673-9327, email decook@mahaskacountyia.gov, or register online using the QR code at the top
of this page

Annual Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade

Parade and Shuttle Route Maps to be updated for 2025! Check back for details. 

Join us for the 39th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade. You've seen the Painting with Lights in Oskaloosa, come check out the creativity of the parade entries with all the colors and lights. 

The weeklong festivities will include the Young Ambassador Contest, Window Decorating, Home Decorating contests, Gospel Christmas Concert, Merry Little Downtown Christmas and more. We welcome the community to invite family, friends and visitors to make a trip to Oskaloosa.

As you visit the town, you can always get hot cocoa, apple cider or that warm Christmas cup of coffee at the local coffee shop; visit the Alley, decorated for the holiday; visit the quaint little bookstore for a Christmas read; or shop unique shops along the square for that perfect Christmas gift. Come see the lights, grab your cameras, and come celebrate Christmas in Oskaloosa. 

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

Knee-High Naturalists “Nature’s Mitten”

This free program is designed for children ages 5 and younger. This month, children are invited to enjoy The Mitten by Jan
Brett and discover how animals use shelters to stay safe and warm during winter. After the story, we’ll have fun with a
mitten-themed activity, and each child will create a special craft to take home! Pre-registration is needed. You can sign
up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to hold the program.
 

STEAM Story Time

Sharing our Strength

Join the Mahaska Health Oncology Care Team for "Sharing our Strength", a support group for those in our community who have been affected by cancer.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping & Decorating Workshop

Discover fun and simple ways to wrap and decorate your holiday presents while reducing
waste. Learn how everyday materials—such as newspaper, reusable ribbon, pinecones,
and other items from nature—can turn a gift into a charming creation. Come ready to be
inspired and enjoy a festive evening of creativity, hot cocoa, and holiday treats! Please
sign up by scanning the QR code at the top of the page.

Art Uncorked!

Sip your favorite beverage and have fun painting a piece inspired by an example work of art. You will receive easy step-by-step instructions and personal attention from a professional art instructor. Select a session & register: https://faceofmahaska.com/art-uncorked/ Instructor:  Nicole Pitts $30 per person, bring a friend for $15

Open Stage Night

Got a hidden talent itching to shine? Unleash it at Studio Oskys’ Open Stage Night! Whether you belt out tunes, strum a guitar, crack jokes, or simply cheer on local stars, this is your moment! All artistic vibes welcome!  

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

AI that Actually Saves You Time

Homeschool Science Lab “Make a T-shirt Tote Bag”

Turn an old t-shirt into something useful! Kids will cut and design a T-shirt to create a reusable no-sew tote bag for carrying books, toys, or anything else they choose. Please bring a T-shirt that can be cut and transformed. This is a fun way to give an
unused item from home a brand-new purpose! Space is limited, so sign up soon. Preregistration is needed, and you can sign up using the QR code at the top of this page. A minimum of 5 kids is needed to hold the program.

STEAM Story Time

Exercise/Health Education

Join for an educational lesson on health and exercise with Suzette. Sometimes she even brings in health treats :) Free for all ages

Birding With Ella “Mahaska Christmas Bird Count”

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC), run by Audubon, is the nation's longest-running community science project. People around the country organize local counts between December 14-January 5 each year. This year will be a trial run for the Mahaska County CBC. Participants will be assigned a sector of the anticipated 15 square mile circle to cover. The time is a guideline; participants are welcome to conduct their count at any time throughout the day. This program is open for all ages and skill levels; we will pair beginner birders with those who are more experienced. Since this is a trial run year, we will not be submitting the data collected to Audubon. We will still
compile results to send to participants and post on social media. 

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Bingo

Supper @5:30, Bingo starting at 6:30

STEAM Story Time

Art on the Square

Join Oskaloosa Main Street for the 58th Annual Art on the Square, one of Iowa's oldest continuing art festivals. 

Hirl's Happy Hounds 5 Yr Anniversary PAW-TY