Hello Granger: Aug. 14-20 Local Highlights

August is moving right along, and there’s a lot happening around Granger!

This week, we’re getting you ready for Granger Days, sharing the latest on the new middle school, and filling you in on another project where the city is looking for your input. Plus, as always, there are plenty of things to add to your calendar.

Have a great week and thanks for reading! 🙌

Friday, Aug. 14
Roller Skating in Dallas Center
Dallas Center Mound Park |  7-9 p.m. | Free
Friday night is Skate Night in Dallas Center—just 15 minutes from Granger. It’s Iowa State Fair week, so dress up in a State Fair-themed outfit and get a prize! Bring your own skates or borrow free quad or inline skates, available in toddler through adult sizes. Enjoy music, games, prizes and budget-friendly concessions, with cotton candy as this week’s special treat.

Saturday, Aug. 15
Woodward Farmers Market
By the mural in Woodward | 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
The Woodward Farmers Market is a great chance to shop local while browsing fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, local vendors and more.

Madrid Downtown Farmers Market + Mini Makers
2nd Street in Madrid | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
After the Woodward Farmers Market head to downtown Madrid for the farmers market! Shop local vendors along 2nd Street and be sure to check out Mini Makers, featuring young entrepreneurs selling their own creations.

Sunday, Aug. 16
Yoga in the Gardens
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, Madrid | 9-10 a.m. | $12 members, $15 non-members | Kids: $2 members/$5 non-members | Registration required
Catch the final Yoga in the Gardens session of the summer at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens. This is a relaxing outdoor class surrounded by the gardens, open to beginners and experienced yogis alike. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and towel.

Last Call for Ice Cream at Vintage Road Coffee Co.
Vintage Road Coffee Co. | 4-9 p.m.
Stop by for ice cream cups, homemade waffle cones, flights and more—and help sell them out!

Last Day to Register: Flag Football Clinic
Centennial Park | Free
Today is the last day to register for the free Future Hawks Flag Football Clinic! Kids ages 4–6 will learn football basics Aug. 17 & 19 and get a free jersey!

Monday, Aug. 17
Granger Fire & EMS at the Iowa State Fair
Grandstand, the Hall of Flame | 5-8 p.m.
Stop by and say hi to Granger Fire & EMS at the Iowa State Fair. Granger’s crew will be at the Iowa Fire Department Hall of Flame helping with hands-on fire-safety activities for kids and families, including 9-1-1 simulations, a smoke-crawl house, firefighter gear, and Sparky the Fire Dog!

Tuesday, Aug. 18
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m.
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience.

New Hours at Woodward Public Library
The Woodward Public Library’s now open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, giving you an extra hour to stop in. All other hours remain the same: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday and 9 a.m.–noon Saturday.

Main Street Mercantile Grand Opening
1910 Main St. in Granger | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Street Mercantile is celebrating the grand opening of its new space! Stop in to check out new consignments, restocked inventory and local vendors.

Wednesday, Aug.19
WG Hawk Football Kick-Off
In front of Bud’s Pub in Granger | 6-8 p.m.
Meet the 2026 Hawk football team and coaches before the season kicks off! There will be food specials, Hawk apparel for sale and a chance to meet the coaches and players. Go Hawks!

Dallas Center Farmers Market
Heritage Park, Dallas Center | 4-7 p.m.
Dallas Center’s just a short drive away and has locally grown produce, handmade goods, and a food truck or two.

Thursday, Aug. 20
Senior BINGO
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m.
Granger seniors are invited to gather for a fun, friendly game and a chance to connect with others in the community.

🍎 Woodward-Granger Back-To-School Events
WG Early Learning Center | 4-6 p.m.
Visit your child’s classroom and meet their teacher, then head outside to the playground to say hello to the principal and grab a popsicle! The PTO will also have a fun photo spot and info. about what they do and how to get involved.

WG Elementary | 4-6 p.m.
Stop by WG Elementary for Back to School Night to meet your teacher, check out your classroom and bring your school supplies to drop off before the first day. The PTO will also have a fun photo spot and a flyer or QR code to learn more about getting involved.

WG Middle School | 5-7 p.m.
Middle school families will get a chance to check out the newly built Woodward-Granger Middle School during Back to School Night! Families will be notified through Infinite Campus if there are any schedule changes.

WG Hawks Nest Childcare Open House | WG Early Learning Center | 4-6 p.m.
Stop by to meet the staff, ask questions and learn more about before and after-school care and wraparound childcare options. Openings are still available for WG families for the 2026–27 school year. To register, email [email protected].

🗓️ Local Event Spotlight

Granger Days
Granger Days has been an annual community celebration for at least a decade. This year, it’s happening Aug. 28 and 29, with a parade, live music, competitions for kids and adults, and fireworks!

Here’s what’s planned, plus a few things you’ll want to do this week before the festivities begin.

Before the Event:
🎪 Granger Days Inflatable Wristbands: If your kids want to hit the inflatables, grab an all-access wristband ahead of time and save! Presale wristbands are available through Aug. 28 for $5 each or 3 for $10. Kids 4 and under are free! Wristbands are $10 each the day of the event.

To purchase, go to Granger City Hall or online at grangeriowa.org under How Do I → Pay → Other Bills → Granger Days. Online purchases can be picked up at the inflatable booth during the event. Questions? Call City Hall at 515-999-2210.

🚒 Sign up for Granger Days Firefighter Water Fights! Grab your crew and get ready to battle it out with a real fire hose! Three-person coed teams can sign up for $25, with cash prizes for the top three. Only 16 team spots are available!

To register, contact Lt. Blair at [email protected] or call/text (515) 779-0221.

🙋‍♀️Volunteer to help out! Click here to sign up to lend a hand and help make the weekend happen.

Granger Days Events:
⭐ Friday, Aug. 28 ⭐
Movie in the Park: Cars — 8 p.m. (Centennial Park)
Live Music with Tank Anthony — 8 p.m. (Bud’s Pub)

⭐ Saturday, Aug. 29 ⭐
🥞 MORNING
5K Run/Bike/Walk + Kids Fun Run — Kids 7:40 a.m.; 5K 8 a.m. (Community Center)
Pancake Breakfast — 8 a.m. (Assumption Church)
Parade — 10 a.m.

🎈 ALL-DAY FUN AT CENTENNIAL PARK
Vendor Village — 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Petting Zoo & Geocaching — 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Inflatables & Rock Wall — 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Beer Tent, Food & Wine Slushie Trucks — 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

🏆 TOURNAMENTS & GAMES
Volleyball Tournament — Check-in 10:45 a.m.; starts 11 a.m.
Bags Tournament — Sign-up 11:15 a.m.; starts 12:15 p.m.
Fire & EMS Water Fights — Noon–3 p.m. (Sycamore St.)
Hawk Games (ages 11–17) — 3–5 p.m.
Fun & Games (21+) — 3:30–5 p.m.
Pizza, Pints & Puzzle (21+) — Sign-up 4 p.m.; starts 5 p.m.

🎶 MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Live Music with David Watson — Noon–3 p.m.
DJ Music Bingo — 2–3:30 p.m.
Spotlight Entertainment DJ — 2–7 p.m.

🌙 SATURDAY NIGHT
Live Music with TOASTER — 8 p.m. (Bud’s Pub)
Fireworks — 9:30 p.m. (ballfield by Community Center)

👉 For the complete Granger Days schedule and the latest updates, click here.
💚 A big thank you to all of the Granger Days volunteers who put in the time to make this a special event for our community and everyone who comes to enjoy it!

• New Woodward-Granger Middle School Update
WG Superintendent Mark Lane shared an update on the new Woodward-Granger Middle School in his latest district newsletter, and the building is nearing the finish line. After passing its fire inspection recently, it was set for an occupancy inspection. Once occupancy is approved, teachers can begin moving into their classrooms while crews finish up construction and cleaning.

The remaining work does mean one change for students: sixth-grade transition camps planned for Aug. 14 and 17 have been canceled. Instead, all middle school students will spend time during the opening days of school getting familiar with the new building.

Middle School Back to School Night remains scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5–7 p.m. Any changes will be shared with families through Infinite Campus.

A community open house and official ribbon cutting are also still planned, with students expected to take part. The district will announce those details after staff and students are back in the building.

🚗 If you want to drive by and check out the new school for yourself, you can—the road is open, even if your GPS says otherwise. There are signs blocking access to one of the parking lot areas, but the rest of the road is open.

🔗 Read the full August newsletter from Superintendent Mark Lane.

• Help Shape Granger’s Community Mural

The City of Granger is looking for volunteers to help guide the design of a mural planned for the south exterior wall of the Granger Community Center. The project is part of the city’s partnership with the University of Iowa’s Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC).

The committee will help identify ideas and design elements that represent Granger’s history, identity, people and future. No experience is needed—anyone is welcome to participate.

The commitment is about one hour every two weeks, with meetings held virtually or in person. If interested, email Granger Parks & Recreation Director Alishia VanDrimmelen at [email protected] by Wednesday, Aug. 19, to sign up.

Want another way to get involved? The City of Granger is also looking for volunteers to provide input on three additional projects through its partnership with IISC.

🌐 Economic Development Portal — Help shape a website promoting Granger to businesses and investors.

🏡 Age-Friendly Community Initiative — Share ideas for making Granger a better place to live as residents age.

🌳 Parks & Recreation Master Plan — Help identify priorities for Granger’s parks, trails and recreation.

If interested, email Granger Parks & Recreation Director Alishia VanDrimmelen at [email protected] by Wednesday, Aug. 19, to sign up.

🗓️ Save The Dates:

🎉 Aug. 28-29 — Granger Days

🎃 Oct. 17 — Granger Fall Festival & Fishing Tournament
Click here for the Facebook event page to stay up-to-date on the exciting details!

📌 Community Board

🎒 School Supply Lists (no one is judging if you still need these!): ELC: click here
Elementary: click here Middle School: click here High School: click here

💼 A Granger resident is looking for help at his Polk City business. Lakeside Products is hiring a part-time Amazon Account Manager with flexible hours and a remote/office option. This is a specialized position requiring experience with Amazon Seller Central, PPC and e-commerce. Check out their Facebook page here to learn more about what they sell, and DM them to see if your experience is a good fit.

🍗 If you're able, consider picking up an extra source of protein—dairy, meat, etc.—during your next grocery trip and drop it by the community refrigerator at the Granger Public Library.

🚘 Volunteer Drivers Needed
Volunteer Community Services of Woodward & Granger (VCSWG) is looking for volunteer drivers to help local residents get to appointments, pick up groceries, and run errands—helping neighbors stay independent. Students, this is also a great opportunity to earn Silver Cord hours.For more information, call 515-978-8114 or visit vcswg.org.

❓Do you have a volunteer opportunity, job posting or another local announcement you’d like included here? Reply to this email and let me know.