DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Iowa will host “America’s Harvest Festival” on Oct. 24, an event tied to the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. Iowa’s celebration will highlight the state’s agricultural history.
The festival is scheduled to take place on the Iowa State Capitol grounds in Des Moines from 1 p.m. until sunset and will be free to attend.
What the event will include
Visitors can expect to sample Iowa foods, hear live music and learn about key figures in the state’s history.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, a Republican, said the timing of the festival is intentional.
“I think it’s very fitting about holding our America’s Harvest Festival that it’s actually occurring during the actual harvest season here in Iowa,” Naig said. “It’s an exciting time. It’s an important time. But it will give us a chance to highlight agriculture. And of course, we know that from the very beginning, agriculture has been foundational to our country’s success.”
Reynolds hopes for large turnout
Reynolds said she hopes the Capitol grounds will draw a crowd comparable to the annual Yankee Doodle Pops celebration, which attracts about 100,000 people to the same location each year to celebrate Independence Day.
“We’re going to use as much as the grounds that we can,” Reynolds said. “And I hope honestly what I’m hoping for is it kind of rivals Yankee Doodle Pops. That we’ll have that kind of a turnout on the grounds. People really just enjoying the day, the beautiful environment, and celebrating really who we are and everything agriculture.”
Reynolds said organizers chose October for the event because it coincides with harvest time for many Iowa farmers.
About the author: Midwest native Dave Price is Gray Television’s Iowa Political Director for nine stations that broadcast in the state and has been covering local, state and national politics from Iowa since 2001.
Dave produces and hosts “Inside Iowa Politics,” a weekly, in-depth show focused on interviews with top leaders on politics, issues, challenges, and solutions that impact the state.
He has written two books about the Iowa Caucuses (“Caucus Chaos” and “Caucus Chaos Trump”). Email him at dave.price@graymedia.com.
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