‘A Festivus for the rest of us’

If you watched the popular TV show “Seinfeld” in the late 1990s, you are smiling right now. If you didn’t watch the show, well, read on, as you can still smile.  

Festivus was depicted on “Seinfeld” as a Dec. 23 holiday that includes a Festivus dinner, an aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the “airing of grievances” and “feats of strength,” and the labeling of explainable events as “Festivus miracles.” It’s a Costanza tradition. 

Every time I hear the word “festival,” I think of “Festivus.” And, this time of year in Iowa, festivals are aplenty. For several decades now, my wife and I have been traveling to various communities in our great state to partake in their wonderful community festivals, including the ones we write about in this month’s cover story.  

Do these sound familiar to you? Tulip Time in Pella. Mac and Cheese Festival in Dubuque. John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset. Scandinavian Days in Story City. Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson. Good Egg Days in Stuart. Ice Cream Days in Le Mars. RibFest in Sioux City. Four Seasons Festival in Polk City. Truckers Jamboree in Walcott. Beef Days in Solon. National Balloon Classic in Indianola. Watermelon Days in Newell. Hobo Days in Britt. Pufferbilly Days in Boone. And, not to be left out, the Testicle Festival at Appleberry Orchard in Donnellson. 

The list goes on. And on. If there is one thing we Iowans know, it is how to throw a community festival.  

Many of the festivals have similarities. Some focus on food. Others on drink. Many include music. But they all have at least one unique selling point that makes them truly stand out.  

My dad would take me to festivals around our hometown when I was a kid, whether I wanted to go or not. He enjoyed connecting with people and reminiscing about days gone by — the same things I do today.   

When it comes down to it, though, our community festivals are about wholesome fun — with or without the Festivus pole.  

Have a great month, and thanks for reading. ♦

Shane Goodman 
Editor and Publisher
CITYVIEW
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.dmcityview.com