Thursday Thirteen #13

We've told you about famous people from IOWAH and some other facts about IOWAH. Today, we are going to tell you where to go to have FUN in IOWAH! We tried to provide linkies to everyone so you can check it out for yourself!!

1. The MTLH and our Ant Kat says that number 1 has to be the "Iowa State Fair". It's held every August and they say it is a lot of fun! For 5 years in a row, there has been over 1 million visitors! Pretty good for state that only has around 3 million people living in it! They say the food is the BEST!

2. VEISHA is a student-run celebration at Iowa State University every April. It came back last year after taking 2004 off due to riots the year before. VEISHA is named for the colleges at ISU:
Veterinary Medicine
Engineering
Industrial Science
Home Economics
Agriculture

3. Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. This is our town. Mom says we are a railroad town. It's a trip of 11.3 miles on a train. You see trees, rivers, the Kate Shelley High Bridge, the YMCA camp and lots of animals! They host "Thomas the Tank Engine" every fall. It brings a lot of people to our little town!

4. Dyersville-"Is this Heaven? No, It's Iowa" This is the town where the movie, "Field of Dreams" (with Kevin Costner) was filmed. The movie was released in 1989.

5. Fenlon Place Elevator in Dubuque. The Fenelon Place elevator is described as the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway, 296 feet in length, elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place (if you go to their site, you can see a picture!)

6. Tulip Time in Pella. Tulip Time is held the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in May. The festival celebrates Pella's Dutch Heritage with parades, stage performances, a Dutch market, street scrubbings, and quilt and flower shows.

7. Clear Lake is the home of the Surf Ballroom. This is the last place that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper played a concert. Sadly, they died in a plane crash after their concert.

8. Go watch some baseball at an Iowa Cubs game. They are a Triple A baseball team, whatever that means!

9. Step back in time at Ft Dodge Museum and Opera House.

10. Come take a walk at the Bridges of Madison County. Made famous by the book "The Bridges of Madison County" by Robert James Waller (who was born in Iowa!) and made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

11. The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa. The Grotto is a composite of nine separate Grottos, each portraying a scene in the life of Christ. The Grotto includes the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location. The artistry has to be seen to be appreciated, plus the message it gives is beyond words. It is frequently considered as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Grotto has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2001.

12. Algona Nativity Scene. During World War II, Algona was the site of a German prisoner of war camp. While being held captive, prisoners at the camp created a large nativity scene which was left to the town as a gift. (the Linky has a lot of good information and pictures). Our mom has been there and said it's very sad but beautiful.

13. Science Center of Iowa. The Science Center of Iowa is a center devoted to lifelong learning featuring six dynamic experience platforms and where visitors can explore and experiment. Mom says this is a lot of fun. And they even have an IMAX theater now.