26 Oct 2015

The Amana Colonies win 2 awards at the 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference in Ottumwa.

By David Rettig

AMANA, Iowa- The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented 27 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry on October 22nd in Fairfield during the 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference.

"Iowa is fortunate to have passionate people working hard every day to advance the tourism industry and grow the state's economy," said Shawna Lode, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. "The Iowa Tourism Awards are a way to showcase those efforts and celebrate the successes of the past year."

"The Iowa Tourism Awards are the highest honor given in our state's tourism industry," said Carla Eysink, president of the Travel Federation of Iowa. "The winners are truly the best of the best."

Awards to both metro and rural areas were made in 13 award categories.

The Amana Colonies won for Outstanding Community and again for Outstanding New Event with Wurst Festival which was held this past June.

The Amana Colonies ranks as one of the state's premier attractions and plays host to 800,000 to 1 million visitors each year.  The combination of a unique culture and history along with events, culinary traditions, and unique shops and handcrafted items are some of the reasons Amana Colonies annually ranks at the top of the Iowa tourism scene.

The Wurst Festival attracted 1,500 people in its first year.  The event centered on sausages and local sausage makers along with Wurst University which offered the "Wurst education in Iowa". The date for next year's Wurst Festival is June 18, 2016.

For a complete list of upcoming activities and events visit www.amanacolonies.com or call 319.622.7622

07 Oct 2015

The First Girls Getaway Weekend in the Amana Colonies

By David Rettig

November 6-8, 2015

 

AMANA, Iowa- Join us in the historic Amana Colonies for Girls Getaway Weekend November 6-8! There's a unique, hands on experience waiting for women of all ages during this first annual Girls Getaway celebration! Great sampling, shopping and relaxation!

Activities will begin Friday, November 6th, at 4pm and will go through Sunday, November 8th. Businesses will be featuring products and special services all weekend long.

Local B&B's will be offering special packages so ladies can get the most out of their weekend stay. Activities are dispersed throughout the seven villages including food, beer, and wine sampling, a Fall Fiber Show, Theater Performances, a Vintner's Dinner, a Vendor Fair, and pampering. Most of the local restaurants are offering special dining options. There is something to please everyone's tastes and hobbies.

For more information about Girls Getaway Weekend, visit amanacolonies.com or call 319-622-7622. And for complete list of upcoming events and festivals, visit amanacolonies.com.

28 Aug 2015

Amana Colonies Announce Apfelfest September 26, 2015

By David Rettig

AMANA, Iowa- You'll find everything from apple sauce to apple strudel in the Amana Colonies for their first Apfelfest (Applefest) on September 26, 2015.  The historic seven villages will be featuring all things apple on this special day with apple cider pressing, live music, food samples, special foods in restaurants and food shops, and more.

The village of Homestead (one of the seven Amana villages) is planning special events in the village apple orchard that are designed to treat all five senses. This event is a great family outing as there will be hands on activates for the youngsters including story tellers and apple bobbing.

For a complete list of special events taking place in the Amana Colonies for the first Apfelfest visit the Amana Colonies Visitors Center, www.amanacolonies.com or call 319.622.7622.
13 Jul 2015

Throwback Saturday features over 80 Model A Vehicles

By David Rettig

AMANA, Iowa- Throwback Saturday is set for August 15, 2015 in the Amana Colonies and will feature over 80 Model A Vehicles as part of the festivities.  An entire street will be temporarily closed for part of the day as the Models A cars and trucks take over that section of the village.  The cars will be on display from approximately 10am to 3pm.

Along with the vintage vehicles there will be special foods available on the street including German style potato pancakes and some special entrees in the Amana Colonies' restaurants.  Many of the shops that sell ice cream will be offering specials on root beer floats, sundaes and adult ice cream drinks.

Additional special events for the day include music at the Visitor Center by the Blue Grass band "The Riverbottom Ramblers" from 2pm-4pm and that evening Millstream Brewery will feature live music and food in their beer garden.   The Old Creamery Theatre will perform the comedy "Shear Madness" at 7:30 on their main stage and White Cross Cellars will feature a food and wine pairing class at 6pm.

The numerous antique shops and galleries of the Amana Colonies will also be featured the entire weekend as each will offer a special display of vintage treasures.

For a complete list of upcoming activities and events visit www.amanacolonies.com or call 319.622.7622

26 Jun 2015

Amana Colonies Introduces the FIRST Bike and Hike Weekend July 11 and 12, 2015

By David Rettig

AMANA, Iowa- Enjoy the great outdoors in the Amana Colonies on July 11th and 12th with Bike and Hike Weekend.  This weekend event highlights exercise, the outdoors, and the historic Amana Colonies.  Bring your bicycle or walking shoes, as there are events and special routes set up for all skill and age levels.

Saturday, July 11th Millstream Brewery will be sponsoring the centerpiece of the weekend, "Tour de Brew". This 38 mile poker bike ride is ideal for riders training for RAGBRAI. The trail begins and ends at Millstream Brewery while taking participants to neighboring towns north of the Amana Colonies and includes several beverage breaks. The $25 registration fee can be paid the morning of July 11th by 9:30 at the Millstream Brewery.

Sunday, July 12th features "Tour de Root Beer", a great family event. This 3 mile paved bike route travels around the scenic Lily Lake and returns to the Millstream Brewery. Root Beer floats are available for bikers and hikers after returning from their trails, from 1-3pm.

Amana Colonies Gravel Bike Routes are also featured Bike and Hike Weekend. These newly designated routes are located on the Iowa Country gravel roads that stretch north, connecting the villages of Middle Amana, High Amana, and West Amana.

Amana Colonies hiking/walking trails travel through both the villages and into the country side. Five trails have been designated throughout the villages that feature samples of food, historical sites, art, and antique galleries. There are two trails in the county outside of the villages that travel through the timberland or along the Mill Race levy.

For a complete lists of the biking and hiking trails featured during the Amana Colonies Bike and Hike Weekend, visit the Amana Colonies Visitors Center. For a complete list of upcoming activities and events, visit amanacolonies.com or call 319.622.7622.

15 May 2015

Homemade Wine Competition for Rhubarb Day in Amana, Iowa, June 6, 2015.

By David Rettig

AMANA, Iowa - As part of the Amana Colonies Rhubarb Day celebration the Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau will be hosting a homemade wine competition on Saturday, June 6, 2015.

Home winemakers are encouraged to enter their homemade wines by bringing 1 bottle of each wine to the Amana Colonies Visitors Center at 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA.  Bottles must be dropped off prior to 1 p.m. on June 6th. All types of homemade wines may be entered and the competition is open to any home winemaker.  Awards will be given to the top 3 wines.  Come see if your wine is an award winner.

For more information, please contact the Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau at 319-622-7622.

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