Spirits in the Gardens

Reiman Gardens’ popular fall celebration is back, with even more spooky fun on two weekends (Oct. 13-15 / Oct. 20-22). See 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns throughout the 17-acre botanical garden. Friday nights are great for adults!

Pumpkin Express

All aboard for a trip to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch on The Pumpkin Express, Oct. 7, 14, and 21. At the patch, kids hop off the train and select their perfect pumpkin. Grownups will appreciate the eye-popping scenery over the Des Moines River valley.

Cyclone Football

Fall weekends were made for football! Celebrate the Cyclones (and all things Iowa State and Ames) on these game days: Sept. 23 (Oklahoma State), Oct. 7 (TCU), Nov. 4 (Kansas / Homecoming), and Nov. 18 (Texas).

Jack Trice 100

The year-long commemoration of Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first Black athlete, who died of injuries sustained in a football game in 1923, ends this fall. Iowa State University, University Museums, and Cyclone Athletics commemorate Jack’s brief life and enduring legacy.

• “Breaking Barriers” talk by artist Ivan Depeña, Sept. 21
• Jack Trice Legacy Game, Oct. 7

Octagon Art Festival

Don’t miss the 52nd annual Octagon Art Festival on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stroll along Main Street in downtown Ames while you enjoy live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. The star of the show is the original artwork by about 100 artists from across the Midwest. You’ll find high-quality ceramics, jewelry, paintings, fiber art, photography, garden art, and more.

Outdoor concerts

This is the last hurrah for live music outdoors. Enjoy the cooler temperatures as you sit in the Prairie Moon vineyard on Sunday afternoons with a cold glass of sangria and groove to the sounds of

Opus Taylor (Sept. 17), and Damon Dotson (Sept. 24). Enjoy a Goldfinch on the Lawn concert at Stephens Auditorium on Sept. 12.

Central Iowa Junk Jaunt

Sometimes all you need in life is great friends, small towns, and VINTAGE! The fall edition of the Central Iowa Junk Jaunt will be held Friday through Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Follow this map to shops, barns, and farm stands in Ames, Boone, Story City, Jewell, and surrounding rural areas.

Maximum Ames Music Festival

Mark your calendar for this annual city-wide music bash, Sept. 21-24! This year’s Max Ames will feature 21 venues and 100+ bands. And it’s all free!

Ames Artists Studio Tour

During the free, self-guided tour, visit any number of the 14 participating studios and discover the original art – paintings, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and more – created by Ames area artists in their studios and workspaces. Studios are open Sept. 30 & Oct. 1.

Witches Walk

Come out for a scary good time on Thursday, Oct. 5! Ames Main Street businesses will be open 6-8 p.m., many hosting snacks and sips. This event is geared towards adults, but everyone’s welcome and costumes are encouraged.

Halloween tricks & treats

Get the most out of those Halloween costumes at these trick-or-treat events:

• Spirits in the Gardens (Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22)
• Trick or Treat at Dakins Lake (Oct. 21)
• Trick or Treat in Downtown Ames (Oct. 27)
• Halloween Spook-tacular at Hickory Grove Park (Oct. 28)
• Trick or Treat Night in Ames (Oct. 31)

Regional theatre

Choose local! Enjoy performances of “The Play That Goes Wrong,” presented by ACTORS (Sept. 14-16 and Sept. 22-24) and ISU Theatre’s “Head Over Heels” (Oct. 27-Nov. 5).

The great outdoors

Savor the season with these outdoor offerings from the Iowa Arboretum and Story County Conservation:

• Wild Women of the Woods (Sept. 15-16)
• Evening Walks on the Prairie (Sept. 19)
• Happy Hour Harvest (Sept. 30)
• Woof Walk (Oct. 1)
• Halloween Hides & Creepy Caches (Oct. 13)
• Fall Color Walk (Oct. 14)
• Creatures of the Night (Oct. 27)

On stage at Stephens Auditorium

The fall entertainment season is starting with a bang at Iowa State’s Stephens Auditorium. Check out this lineup:

• The Foolers, Oct. 1
• Classic rockers The Guess Who, Oct. 6
• RuPaul’s Night of the Living Drag, Oct. 13
• “Long Island Medium” Theresa Caputo Live, Oct. 14
• iLuminate, Oct. 21
• Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Oct. 24
• Singer Wynonna Judd, Oct. 27
• Popular comedian Matt Rife, Nov. 2.

Sneak peek: Merry & Bright Holiday Weekend

Mark your calendars for December 1-3! This Ames-area winter celebration features community activities throughout Story and Boone Counties. Highlights include the Reiman Gardens Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show, Main Street Ames Snow Magic Kickoff, Iowa State University’s Winterfest, Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Santa Express, Ames TUBACHRISTMAS, and much more.