As much as I hate to admit it, summer is starting to wind down.🌻 But there's still plenty to look forward to—from farmers markets and the Hwy. 141 Garage Sales to Granger Days and so much more.
This week's beautiful header photo is the first one submitted by a Hello Granger reader, and I couldn't love it more. 💚 Have a favorite summer photo from around Granger? I'd love to feature it—just send it my way!
And thank you for spending a few minutes with Hello Granger each week. I hope this newsletter helps you feel a little more connected to our community.
Summer in Granger: Submitted by Chelsea Finley
📅 Things to Do This Week
Friday, July 10
Dallas County Fair
28057 Fairground Rd, Adel | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. |
Spend the day at the fairgrounds with 4-H and FFA livestock shows, the Firefighter Show, and plenty of fair food and vendors to enjoy. The Dallas County Fair Queen Coronation begins at 3 p.m., followed by the FREE carnival from 4–10 p.m.
Saturday, July 11
Final Day of Fair Fun
28057 Fairground Rd, Adel | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. |
Wrap up the fair with a full day of 4-H and FFA livestock shows, the Baby Contest, Fisherman Dan's comedy stunt show and FREE carnival rides from 12 -10 p.m.
Stick around for the Figure 8 Races at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks and live music. Click here for race tickets: $15/general admission, $5/ages 3-12, free for kids two and under.
Middle of NOWhere Festival
2183 320th St in Madrid | 1-9 p.m.
Just 15 minutes from Granger, this free festival blends live hip-hop, local art, food vendors, and interactive art activities at The Cellar Winery. It ‘s celebrating creativity and community in rural Iowa.
Sunday, July 12
Sensory Friendly Sunday
Jester Park Nature Center | 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Free; register by July 10
Enjoy a quieter morning with dimmed lights and sounds, sensory activities, quiet spaces, and a naturalist-led hike. Open to all ages and designed for those who benefit from a more sensory-friendly environment. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
U-Pick Raspberries
13140 Northwest 102nd Avenue Granger | 8 - 11 a.m. | $5 admission
If you've been meaning to go raspberry picking or visit a sunflower field, now's the time. Reservations are required, with picking times currently available from 8–11 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults and kids over age 2.
Monday, July 13
Granger Community Blood Drive
Granger Community Center | 1-6 p.m.
Blood donations are in demand, especially during the summer months. Walk in or register through LifeServe to donate and help patients across Iowa and the region. Questions? Contact Kathy Bermel at 515-720-9928.
Tuesday, July 14
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m. |
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience.
Creative Tiny Bead Fun
Woodward Public Library | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Turn tiny beads into colorful creations! Kids can design and make their own Perler bead masterpiece to take home.
Jester Park Summer Skills: Air Rifle
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 p.m. | $10/register by July 12
Kids ages 10–16 can learn the basics of air rifle target shooting, then practice on the range with certified instructors. Registration is required by July 12.
Woodward Community Food Pantry's Summer Food Pickup
Pick up at designated location 5-7 p.m.
Eligible families in Granger, Woodward, and Bouton can pick up food at their community's designated pick-up location. Click here for more info. in a previous week’s newsletter.
Wednesday, July 15
Story Tellebration:
Jester Park Nature Center | 10 a.m. | Free, No registration needed
Kids ages 2+ can enjoy storytime with volunteer storyteller Carmen Epstein. This month's Color, Color Everywhere theme includes a nature-inspired story and hands-on activity.
Summer Library Program: Sand Art
Granger Public Library | 2-3 p.m.
Get creative with colorful sand! Choose from bottles, pictures, or a planter to create your own unique sand art masterpiece to take home.
Dallas Center Farmers Market
Heritage Park, Dallas Center | 4-7 p.m.
Missing the Woodward and Granger farmers markets this week? Dallas Center is just a short drive away and has plenty of vendors, treats and treasures. If you’re interested in being a vendor in future markets, email [email protected].
Thursday, July 16
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.
Teen Card Game Day
Woodward Public Library | 3-5 p.m. | For Grades 5-12
Play Pokémon, Uno, and other card games during this fun afternoon at the library! Students in grades 5–12 are welcome to play favorites or learn something new.
Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series
Jester Park Nature Center | 6-8 p.m.
Free outdoor concert featuring The Lamplighters, a classic rock, folk and acoustic variety band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and outside drinks available.
🏪 Top Local Stories
Here's a quick look at a few highlights from this week's Granger City Council meeting:
📷 Automated License Plate Readers: After discussing the topic, the Granger City Council decided to inform Dallas County that the city is not interested in installing automated license plate readers at this time.
🅿️ Sycamore Street Parking: Citing safety concerns near the new middle school, the City officials considered parking restrictions on Sycamore Street. After discussion, however, the City Council did not approve the proposal, so the restrictions will not be implemented at this time.
🏢 Broadway Property: Mayor Clint Davis shared that the city is moving forward with the next steps to improve the long-vacant property at 2210 Broadway. While nothing is finalized, there may already be interest from a local business in the building. 🤞
• W-G School Supply Update
It feels early, but school supply displays are already popping up after the Fourth of July. Woodward-Granger has posted its elementary (grades 2–5) and middle school supply lists. The Early Learning Center and high school lists have not been released yet, I’ll post those when they’re available.
✏️ Elementary school list—click here
✏️Middle School: click here
🎒 Need help with back-to-school supplies? The Woodward United Methodist Church is once again hosting its School Supply Closet for families in Woodward and Granger. Register by July 31 to receive a new backpack and a personalized set of school supplies prepared for each child. To register, call 515-438-2808 or 515-210-9805.
🗓️ Save The Dates
These events are still a little ways off, but if you like planning ahead, here are a few dates worth saving now:
🏷️ Aug. 7-8 — Hwy 141 Garage Sales
🎉 Aug. 28-29 — Granger Days
🎃 Oct. 17 — Granger Fall Festival & Fishing Tournament
📌 Community Board
🍎The Granger Public Library recently shared that the community refrigerator has been especially busy this month. That's not unusual this time of year—summer is one of the busiest seasons for food assistance as school meals aren't available and back-to-school expenses begin to add up. If you're able, consider dropping off a few items (dairy, produce or protein) during your next grocery trip. Even a small donation can help a local family. 💚
🚒 Serve with Granger Fire & EMS
A chance to serve close to home: Granger Fire & EMS is looking for residents within 10 minutes of the station to join its paid-per-call volunteer team and help support local emergency response efforts. Click here for contact info.
🚙 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.
💬 Community Feedback
• 🚗 How far do you usually travel from the Granger/Woodward area for fun, shopping, or events?
📩 Hit reply and let me know—Your feedback helps me decide what to include in Hello Granger each week.
— Stephanie, Hello Granger
Know something going on? Just hit reply and email me with the info!
