We have family-friendly activities all year!
Montezuma offers a variety of family-oriented events at different times of the year.
2010
January
Lions Club Toy & Craft Show
January of 2010 will mark the 167th year for this event, which features toy tractors, crafts, trains, and other toys. Visitors can win prizes and enjoy refreshments. Proceeds go toward Lions Club community service projects.
Date: Saturday, January 30, 2009 from 9:30 - 2:30
Place: Montezuma Community High School gym
Sponsor: Montezuma Lions Club
Diamond Lake Ice Fishing Derby
The 13th annual Diamond Lake Ice Fishing Derby is free for children 15 and younger and $5.00 for adults. Registration is at the Foster Center at Diamond Lake.
Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 9:00 - noon
Place: Diamond Lake
Sponsor: Izaak Walton League
February
Sweetheart Breakfast
This pancake breakfast is held the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day. Pancakes, eggs and whole-hog sausage are prepared by members of the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department. Donations help to purchase new emergency services equipment and provide training for department members.
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Place: Montezuma Fire Station on Main Street
Sponsor: Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department
March
Montezuma Area Business Expo
It’s a once-a-year indoor mall for Montezuma area businesses. It gives area retailers and service providers a chance to showcase their services and products to the community. For more information, click HERE.
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Place: Montezuma High School gym.
Sponsor: Montezuma Community Boosters.
Community Hope Church - Easter Egg Hunt
More than 10,000 plastic eggs containing candy and prize certificates are hidden on the grounds of the Montezuma football field. This event is for pre-school thru 6th graders.
Date: Saturday before Easter
Place: Montezuma football field
Sponsor: Community Hope Church
April
Fun Valley sponsored a series of Motocross events during the year at its location southwest of Montezuma
April 10 - Bike & Quad practice day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 11 - Bike and Quad D22 Race.
May
Relay for Life
Brownells, Inc. sponsors a Relay for Life 5k walk and 10K run in Diamond Lake Park to benefit the American Cancer Society. For more details and an application form, click HERE.
Date: May 15
Place and sponsor: Listed above.
Memorial Day Services
Services are held annually in the Masonic and Odd Fellows I.O.O.F. Cemetery near the Jackson Cemetery in southwest Montezuma. It starts at 9:50 a.m., with members of Blakely Stevens American Legion Post 169 and Montezuma VFW Post 8876 hosting, along with their respective auxiliary units.
Date: May 31
Place: Listed above.
Sponsors: Listed above.
Lake Ponderosa Breakfast & Garage sales
Pancakes, whole-hog sausage and eggs are served, along with beverages, for a donation. Garage sales lake-wide start at 8 a.m.
Date: May 29, from 7-10 a.m.
Place: Lake Ponderosa Association Building, 175 W. Woodland Road, on the west lake.
Sponsors: Lake Ponderosa Association.
Motocross
May 1 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
May 2 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
May 20 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
May 31 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
June
Summer Nights
Summer Nights is a family event held on the Montezuma courthouse square on the second Tuesday of June, July, and August, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Activities are varied but can include games, a car show, music and a farmer's market.
Date: Second Tuesday in June (the 8th)
Place: Downtown courthouse lawn.
Sponsors: Montezuma Community Boosters
Kidz' Fishin' Derby
This event is for kids up to age 16. Must be accompanied by someone 21 or older. Kids can fish from boats or on shore at Lake Ponderosa from 9 to 11 a.m., then gather for a fish weigh-in and lunch from 11 to 1 at the boat ramp.
Date: Saturday, June 19
Place: Lake Ponderosa boat ramp.
Sponsors: Lake Ponderosa Association.
Motocross
June 20 - IATVHSS Hare Scramble, Fun Valley
June 26 - Bike & Quad practice day, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m . - Fun Valley
June 27 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Sig Fly-Ins
This two-weekends event attracts model airplane enthusiasts from around the country, and plenty of spectators. There are two events that the model airplane fans compete in.
Dates: June 12-13 (radio control) and June 27-28 (control line championships).
Place: Sig Field, Hazel Sig-Hester’s private air field about two-and-one-half miles south of Montezuma.
Sponsor: Sig Manufacturing
July
Summer Nights
Summer Nights is a family event held on the Montezuma courthouse square on the second Tuesday of June, July, and August, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Activities are varied but can include games, a car show, music and a farmer's market.
Date: Tuesday, July 14
Place: Downtown courthouse lawn.
“Let Freedom Ring” July 4th Celebration - on July 3!
Its starts early in the morning with merchants offering “ridiculous” bargains. It continues with children’s games and family activities on courthouse square. There is a kiddie parade, then a main parade at 10:00 a.m. The Montezuma Lions Club sponsors an annual chicken barbecue which attracts hundreds of people to air-conditioned Memorial Hall. The meal includes a barbecued half-chicken, baked beans and coleslaw. Carryouts are available. Proceeds go to Lions Club community service projects. Activities on the square are yet to be announced for 2010. The day is topped off at dusk by a fireworks spectacular over Lake Ponderosa.
Date: July 3, 2010
Place: Downtown Montezuma, and over Lake Ponderosa.
Sponsors: “Let Freedom Ring – Montezuma Community Boosters. Fireworks – Lake Ponderosa Association.
Lake Ponderosa Tour of Homes
Exciting homes to visit, from over-the-top to cozy woodsy cottages and everything in between. Tickets available at Hometown Cafe, Three Sisters Fabric & Fashion and Lake Ponderosa Marina July 10 until July 18.
Date: Sunday, July 19 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Place: Lake Ponderosa
Knights of Pythias Pancake Breakfast
The public can feast on pancakes, whole-hog sausage, eggs, juice, milk and coffee at this mid-summer event in air-conditioned Memorial Hall.
Date: TBA.
Place: Memorial Hall
Sponsor: Aztec Lodge #238 of the Knights of Pythias.
August
Summer Nights
Summer Nights is a family event held on the Montezuma courthouse square on the second Tuesday of June, July, and August, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Activities are varied but can include games, a car show, music and a farmer's market.
Date: Second Tuesday in August.
Place: Downtown courthouse lawn.
Motocross
Aug. 7 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Aug. 8 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Lake Ponderosa Ice Cream Social
Lake residents and guests are treated to menu options which include beefburgers, hot dogs, homemade ice cream and cake, for donations ranging from $3 to $5.
Date: Aug. 7, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Place: Lake Ponderosa Association Building at 175 W. Woodland Road, on the west lake.
Sponsor: Lake Ponderosa Association.
September
Motocross
Sept. 4 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Sept. 5 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
October
Homecoming Scarecrow Contest
The light poles all around the downtown square are decorated with scarecrows as individuals, organizations and businesses compete for cash prizes. For more information CLICK here. For pictures and winners of the 2008 contest, CLICK here.
Date: TBA.
Place: Downtown square
Motocross
Oct. 9 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Oct. 10 - Bike & Quad D22 Race, Fun Valley
Firemen’s Spaghetti Supper
Spaghetti and French bread, prepared by local firefighters, are served up for a donation. Also included are vegetables, desserts and beverages. It’s part of the local observance of the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week.
Date: TBA.
Place: Montezuma Fire Station.
Sponsor: Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department.
Lions Pancake Breakfast
This event is held on the first day of rooster pheasant hunting season in Iowa. It’s popular with the hunters early in the morning, and as a brunch for community members by mid-morning. Pancakes, whole-hog sausage and eggs are the bill of fare. Donations help the Lions with state and local service projects.
Date: TBA
Place: Montezuma Memorial Hall
Sponsor: Montezuma Lions Club
December
Montezuma’s Hometown Holiday
Events for 2010 have not yet been released.
Date: TBA
Place: Downtown area
Sponsor: Montezuma Community Boosters.