Bentonsport Riverfest this weekend

Bentonsport Historic District, nestled in a valley along the Des Moines River will be bursting with activities on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the annual Bentonsport Riverfest.

Observe the local blacksmith, as he pounds on his anvil and creates artistic craftwork or watch the spinning of the potter's wheel, see the rug weaving, fiber or other demonstrations in the park. At the Odd Fellows building you can view wood turning on a treadle lathe along with other woodworking.

There is a free horse covered wagon ride at the entrance of the boat ramp between the Odd Fellows and west end of the Rose Gardens and art show.

The 45th annual art show near the Rose Garden will have several new artists and some returning that have been in the show for a very long time. Woodworking, fiber art, pottery, metal work, handcrafted jewelry, drawing, & painting make up the mediums that will be available for purchase. There also will be some artists demonstrating.

Along the front park across from the local shops, we will have Big Guys BBQ will serve brisket, rib-eye steak sandwiches, pulled pork and chicken breast sandwiches. Greasy Spoon from Cantril will be at the Riverfest selling tenderloins, maid rites, chili cheese tots, Indian tacos and Happi Lao Foods selling egg rolls, crab rangoon's, chicken lomeins, fried pineapples and bananas, fresh fruit and more. Mitchells Kettle corn, fresh lemonade and Amish baked goods will make it a great stop to eat in Bentonsport.

The shops will be open with antiques, local made fudge, crafts, pottery, quilting, Indian Artifact Museum and Greef House Gallery. Mason House Inn, pending weather, will sell fudge outside their building.

Locals Keith Dimmitt will do his juggling act during the weekend.

John Boyer from Van Buren County is a one-man band, singing, playing guitar and harmonica, and adding in a ukulele for good measure, John is at home in any venue and has been playing for many years and has played in Texas, Iowa and at the Iowa State Fair. John will perform Sat. 11-2 and Sun. 12-2 in the Bentonsport riverside park.

The park next to the historic iron truss bridge along the river, will be vendors with antique, craft and flea market items like homemade goat milk soaps, painted rocks, earrings, girls accessories, honey, African market baskets, glass art, cement steppingstones, signs, candles, thirty one bags, wood work, blankets and more.

The Bentonsport Riverfest is in conjunction with the Villages of Van Buren Annual Scenic Drive that will be in different locations throughout the county where people come to enjoy the fall colors with various flea markets, crafts, car show, and more So why not enjoy the change of season with a little trip to southeast Iowa's popular Villages of Van Buren for the Scenic Drive and stop by this beautiful little village, Bentonsport, tucked in amid the tree covered hills of the Des Moines River and off the Scenic byway J-40.

Much of the festival is outdoors and will be set up to make your visit safe and enjoyable. Some places may request people to wear a mask and there will be hand sanitizers available in different areas in Bentonsport.

The Bentonsport campgrounds has more campsites available and Morris Park still has openings. Go to mycountyparks.com to reserve a spot or call the office if coming in just before the event if looking for a site that may still be available. A new shower house is located at the Bentonsport shelter for campers or event vendors to use doing the event.

For more details or information about the Bentonsport Riverfest or how you can be a vendor in the event call Cheryl at the Van Buren County Conservation office 319-293-3589, email cheryl@netins.net or view our website www.greefstore.com. Bentonsport is located in Southeast Iowa west of Hwy 218, south of Fairfield 25 miles and north of Keokuk/Fort Madison approx. 60 miles. For more information about the Scenic Drive Festival or to learn more about this area, call the Villages of Van Buren 800-868-7822 or visit www.villagesofvanburen.com.

This event is subject to change and people should watch the Villages of Van Buren website for any changes or last minute mandates.