Events

Kayaking

Join us as we explore Marshall County waters with kayaks. This family-friendly event is designed to help participants learn the basics of kayaking and stay safe on Iowa's waters. There is no fee for this program; however, you must pre-register to reserve one of the limited spots.

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: September 18 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Rain Barrel Workshop

Join us for a hands-on Rain Barrel Workshop in partnership with the Marshall County Landfill! Learn how to conserve water, reduce runoff, and support a healthier environment by creating your own rain barrel.Participants will receive step-by-step guidance on assembling a rain barrel, along with tips for installation and use at home. This workshop is perfect for beginners and anyone interested in sustainable practices.

Registration Fee: $20

Registration Deadline: September 23 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - Decomposers

Discover the hidden world of decomposers and the important role they play in nature! Participants will explore how fungi, insects, worms, and other decomposers break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil and helping ecosystems thrive. Through hands-on activities and exploration, we’ll uncover the tiny organisms that keep nature clean and healthy.

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: October 1 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Brown Bag Bunch - Ice Age Iowa

Join Chérie Haury-Artz from the State Archaeologist's Office as we journey back more than 13,000 years to the end of the last Ice Age. Discover what Iowa looked like when giant mammals roamed the landscape, glaciers shaped the land, and temperatures were far colder than today. Learn how the first people to call Iowa home adapted to these challenging conditions and explore the evidence they left behind. The program will also feature a display of real and replica artifacts from this fascinating period, offering a hands-on look into Iowa's earliest human history.

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: October 1 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Star Gazing -

Our Nearest Neighbor in Space:

The Moon

October 9 at 10:00 p.m.

Iverson Observatory

2891 Green Castle Road, Gilman

AACI will review some of the lore about the moon and explore its surface via telescope!

Zombie Run

The Park Apocalypse has begun, and Grimes Farm will be infested with Zombies on October 10, 2026. Put on your running shoes for this spine-tingling 5K, with registration beginning at 6:00 p.m. and a staggered race start beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Runners will brave the oncoming night and undead creatures lurking on the trails, which will try to steal their brains (also known as flags, from flag football belts). If runners cross the finish line with flags, they have avoided lively decomposition and are declared a survivor. Those with no flags - their future is not guaranteed, and they are deemed infected.

Runners can register online at Eventbrite (https://tinyurl.com/28wtmyds). Online registration fee is $35 and includes a swag item, a finisher medal, a walking “dead” taco meal, a zombie antidote (Gatorade), and a zombie cookie. Registration Deadline is October 7. Registration for the race day is welcome; however, medals, swag items, and meals are guaranteed to the first 100 registered runners. The day of race registration is $45.

Zombie Run Tickets

Young Artist Studio

Grades 3rd through 12th are invited to join local artists to learn and sharpen their art skills. Each session will focus on an element of art or type of media, a project to work on, and studio time to be creative and work on other projects. Participants can sign up for all or one session. Preregistration is required one week before studio time. To register call 641-752-5490, email mccb@marshallcountyia.gov, or text only 641-758-9777.

Nature Adventures for Homeschoolers - Nature's Oddities

Nature can be weird, wild, and sometimes a little gross! Join us as we explore some of the strangest and most surprising facts from the natural world. From slimy creatures and stinky survival tactics to bizarre animal behaviors and yucky adaptations, participants will discover how these unusual traits help plants and animals survive in the wild. Get ready for a fun, hands-on program full of nature’s weirdest wonders!

Registration Fee: Free

Registration Deadline: November 10 by 4:00 p.m.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Young Artist Studio

Grades 3rd through 12th are invited to join local artists to learn and sharpen their art skills. Each session will focus on an element of art or type of media, a project to work on, and studio time to be creative and work on other projects. Participants can sign up for all or one session. Preregistration is required one week before studio time. To register call 641-752-5490, email mccb@marshallcountyia.gov, or text only 641-758-9777.

Brown Bag Bunch: Retracing The Dragoon Trail in Iowa & Environmental Transformation along the Des Moines River

Join historian and author Kevin Mason for an immersive journey along the route of the 1835 First U.S. Dragoon Expedition in Iowa. Drawing from his new book, Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa, Mason explores how the state’s prairies and wetlands evolved into the farms, towns, and highways we know today. Blending environmental history, Indigenous perspectives, and the spirit of firsthand travel, this engaging presentation reveals how Iowa’s landscape still echoes with the stories of the past.

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS: CALL 641-752-5490, EMAIL MCCB@MARSHALLCOUNTYIA.GOV,

OR TEXT ONLY 641-758-9777 BY THE DEADLINE OF THE EVENT

Christmas Bird Count

For over 125 years, the Audubon Society has held Christmas Bird Counts across the United States. Data gathered from these counts is used to understand bird populations. During the Christmas Bird Count, groups are assigned an area within a 15-mile radius and record as many different bird species as possible. The species and numbers are then compiled, sent to the Audubon Society, and documented. The count must take place around Christmas, and groups must pick a specific 24-hour period to record birds. The date we have selected is December 17. We have multiple bird experts and have divided the quadrant into sections. There are several ways to participate in a birding day. 1. If you are an expert, you can help lead a group. 2. Even if you don’t know birds, you can join an expert and learn about birds along the way. 3. If you have bird feeders at your home, you can watch and record the birds that come to your feeders. You do not have to dedicate 24 hours. You can give as much time as you want. If you are interested in joining us for the bird count on December 17, please get in touch with Emma Bruck at 641-752-5490 or ebruck@marshallcountyia.gov by December 11 at 4:00 p.m. The map below shows the regions we will cover. This includes the towns of Marshalltown, Albion, Green Mountain, and Laurel.