Skip to content
SEIU Morning Breath
Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
Account Account

Share this article:

More Stories

Arts and Culture

AnnaMarie Kruse

Mar. 25, 2025 4:06 pm

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

Looking for art, culture, or just plain ole fun? Look no further than right outside your front door. Whether you live in Mt. Pleasant, New London, or one of the smaller surrounding communities, there is always something to do in Henry County.

LilyAnn Ward swings by on a carnival ride during the 2024 Old Settlers festivties. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)
LilyAnn Ward swings by on a carnival ride during the 2024 Old Settlers festivties. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

One of the oldest traditions in the county is the Salem Old Settlers festival, featuring a pancake breakfast, parade and a carnival in the town square.

Music lovers can enjoy classical and contemporary selections from the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, which has subscription series and performs annual school tours, pop concerts, and summer concerts.

Looking to play in the band? Mt. Pleasant has you covered with its community band, which performs during the summer.

Mt. Pleasant Community High School student Bryton Weir, playing Wayne Hopkins, greets a mysterious new classmate as he awaits his turn to be sorted in the production of put on at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)
Mt. Pleasant Community High School student Bryton Weir, playing Wayne Hopkins, greets a mysterious new classmate as he awaits his turn to be sorted in the production of Puffs put on at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

Want to see a toe-tapping musical or a heart wrenching play? Look no further than the Heatilator Performing Arts Center and the Mt. Pleasant Community Theater Association. The theater association, which was established in 1969, provides a wide variety of productions including The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few.

A member of Linc Henriksen and the Drifters plays as a young Ag Music on Main guest dances behind him on a tractor. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)
A member of Linc Henriksen and the Drifters plays as a young Ag Music on Main guest dances behind him on a tractor. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

The second Saturday of December, enjoy a walk in a winter wonderland at the New London during its Holiday Stroll filled with community activities and holiday cheer. In the summer, cool down in Winfield during their Crooked Creek Days, enjoy the lighted sky during Wayland’s Fourth of July celebrations, or dance at by Ag Music on Main in Mt. Pleasant.

In Mt. Pleasant, Arts IMPACT features a new artist every other month at their mini gallery located in Mt. Pleasant Public Library.

Artists like Jeri Sparks display their work in the mini gallery located in the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. Pictured Sparks places her 20"X24" oil painting on board entitled “I only miss you when I’m breathing…” on display at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library through November and December. (Photo Submitted)
Artists like Jeri Sparks display their work in the mini gallery located in the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. Pictured Sparks places her 20"X24" oil painting on board entitled “I only miss you when I’m breathing…” on display at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library through November and December. (Photo Submitted)

Henry County celebrates culture in many ways. Swedesburg hosts a variety of traditional Swedish events throughout the year. Groups like IowaWINS invite the Henry County communities to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion as well.

In addition to a variety of arts and cultural events, Henry County also has a vast selection of dining and shopping options.
Date Time Location Previous Next chevron-circle-right Funeral Home Facebook Bluesky X/ Twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram Tiktok Reddit Email Print Buy RSS Feed Opens in new tab or window PDF