15 Jul 2015

Long Standing Iowa Blues Festival Cancelled

By Kristy Bennett
The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) regrets to announce that due to financial challenges, the 2015 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, planned for LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, September 5 and 6, has been cancelled. The MVBS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, had started the festival over 30 years ago to create a live music festival to expose the regional area to the native art form of blues-related music, and to raise awareness and funds for blues education programs. Since then, MVBS has presented over 1000 local, regional, and nationally known acts, and has become an award winning, top Blues festivals in the country.

According to MVBS President, Steve Heston, "We are not able to proceed with a major event this year, so we will instead concentrate on continuing our existing programs, look to build funding, and possibly hold a festival in 2016."

Some of the current programs of the MVBS include an active Blues in the Schools educational program that reaches over 7,500 students annually, as well as our Concert Series that brings live blues to the Quad Cities, and our radio shows on KALA. The MVBS has one of the most active Blues Education programs of any Blues Society in the country. Each year, the Blues Society plans and coordinates 4-9 weeks of Blues in the Schools programming. This includes 4-5 week-long artist residencies and one month-long summer residency. Performances are free, and expose a wide segment of our community to blues-related music and the rich history and heritage of that music.

"We are saddened to have to make this decision; however, if we take this opportunity to re-group and are able to gain some financial support, we can come back next year with some world-class musicians playing the blues."

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15 Jul 2015

Davenport Public Library to host annual Bix Porch Party

By Davenport Public Library

Head downtown on Thursday, July 30th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM where folks will be dancin' in the street! Don Estes and the Prairie Ramblers, with the help of Butch Bos of Bos Sound, will be playing live jazz for our 28th annual Bix Porch Party at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street). Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets as we block off Main Street for some good old-fashioned fun.

While you are enjoying the live music, kids can enjoy FREE face painting  from LoonE Lori and balloon animals courtesy of magician and balloon entertainer T.J. Regul!  And if you get hungry, the Teen Volunteer Council will be providing hot dogs and lemonade at bargain prices, and the proceeds will go toward enriching the teen experience at the Davenport Public Library.

Stop inside the Library afterwards and visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center to learn more about Bix Beiderbecke and see the display of Bix Jazz Festival posters.

This FREE event is for people of all ages! For more information, call (563) 326-7832 or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.
15 Jul 2015

Texas Turns Up at TLP in 'Greater Tuna'

By Rick Martin

MOUNT CARROLL, IL - Timber Lake Playhouse continues its summer season with the hilarious theatre phenomenon Greater Tuna. Long before Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and the Blue Collar Comedy tours captured the nation's funnybones, Greater Tuna was selling out theatres with its characters who populate the town of Tuna, Texas. In just under two hours, two actors play twenty residents of one town on the day they're mourning the corrupt Judge of Tuna--where the Lions Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.

TLP favorites Cody Jolly (who just completed a run as Captain Hook in Peter Pan) and Matt Webb (who starred opposite Jolly in Young Frankenstein and Spamalot) play a pair of clueless radio disk jockeys, a questionable sheriff, a used-weapons store owner, a religious "scholar" who studies "segregation in the scriptures," an animal rights advocate, an undertaker, Baptist "smut snatchers," a cliché-laden preacher, all five members of the Bumiller family and more. Chicago director Stephen Schellhardt stages the antics of the fictional third smallest town in Texas.

Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard wrote the comedy in 1981. Sears and Williams also starred in the original production. The two met while working in Texas and decided to put together a show based mostly on real-life people they'd known living in Oklahoma and San Antonio.  Since 1981, they've written three additional Tuna plays that have been performed around the world at such wide-ranging venues as dinner theatres, Shakespeare festivals and the White House. The show was also recorded and presented as an HBO special event.

Director Schellhardt says of the play, "For me, what makes Greater Tuna unique is that all of the town's residents - male, female, young and old - are played by two exceptional performers. This is no small feat. The skills of Cody Jolly and Matt Webb surpassed all my expectations. These remarkable, versatile actors have gone to great lengths to breathe life into all the eccentric citizens of Tuna, Texas. It's been truly astounding to watch them work."

Great Tuna opens Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening July 30th, TLP will present the new musical Big Fish, based on the Tim Burton film and the novel of the same name. Karl Hamilton returns to TLP to star as Edward Bloom, a teller of very tall tales that come to life on stage. The show has been called "Remarkable and essential for everyone who loves musicals," "breathtaking from start to finish," and "a dream musical." Artistic Director James Beaudry directs and choreographs the romantic comedy.

Tickets for all TLP mainstage show are $25 with discounts for seniors, active duty military and students. For reservations, call the box office at 815-244-2035 or visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. TLP is located at 8215 Black Oak Road in rural Mount Carroll, Illinois.

This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

15 Jul 2015

BETTENDORF ROTARY CLUB ANNOUNCES 2015-16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By Fred Anderson

The Bettendorf Rotary Club announces its officers for 2015-2016. The gavel was passed from Sharon Sarver to Kevin Kraft who will serve as President of the club for the next year.

Kraft is a senior vice president of investments at UBS Financial Services where he works to help families, business owners and executives chart a comprehensive path to achieve their financial goals.  Prior to his work in financial services, Kraft spent 14 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, including a stint as the city editor at the Quad City Times.  He is an avid cyclist who enjoys traveling with his family.  Kevin and his wife, Sue, reside in Bettendorf and have four grown children and six grandchildren.   

Here is the complete board roster for the 2015-2016 Rotary year:

President: Kevin Kraft

President-Elect: Jonna Schuler

Club Service Director: Tim Lane

Community Service Director: Bill Daley

Vocational Service Director: Ryan Bell

Youth Service Co-Directors: Dr. Jim Spelhaug and Dr. Theron Schutte

Rotary Foundation Director: S.K. Nanda

Immediate Past President & Vice-President: Sharon Sarver

Executive Secretary: Johanna Smith

Treasurer: Laurie Dobesh

The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional, national and international ¬community volunteer projects.

Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating in 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.

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15 Jul 2015

AFSCME IOWA COUNCIL 61 PRESIDENT DANNY HOMAN AND 20 LEGISLATORS FILE SUIT REGARDING GOVERNOR BRANSTAD'S ILLEGAL CLOSURES OF MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTES

By Randy Stalsberg

DES MOINES -AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan and 20 legislators have filed suit in the Iowa District Court for Polk County regarding Governor Branstad's illegal closure of the Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institute and Clarinda Mental Health Institute. The legislators taking part in the suit are Senator Rich Taylor, Representative Jerry Kearns, Representative Mark Smith, Senator Thomas Courtney, Senator Janet Petersen, Representative Bruce Hunter, Representative Curt Hanson, Senator Tony Bisignano, Senator Herman Quirmbach, Senator Dick Dearden, Representative Art Staed, Representative Ako Abdul-Samad, Representative Jo Oldson, Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, Representative Sharon Steckman, Representative Todd Taylor, Representative Mary Gaskill, Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Representative Timi Brown-Powers, and Representative Dave Jacoby.

The lawsuit, which was filed against Governor Terry Branstad and Director Charles Palmer, seeks to compel the governor and his administration to comply with Iowa law and reopen the Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda Mental Health Institutes.

"Iowa law clearly states that the State of Iowa shall operate Mental Health Institutes in Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda. This was the law when the governor announced his decision to close these facilities. This was the law when the legislature passed, with bipartisan support, the funding to keep these facilities open. This was the law when he closed these two facilities. It is still the law today," said AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan.

"No one is above the law. That includes the governor. We are filing this lawsuit to hold him accountable for breaking the law," added Homan.

"I am pleased that 20 legislators are joining with me in filing this lawsuit. We are proud to stand together in support of the rule of law and mental health services," added Homan.

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15 Jul 2015

Vehicle / Pedestrian Accident

By Major Thomas B. Gibbs

UPDATE: The following is an update to the accident from July 13, 2015 in the 1400 block of West Front Street in Buffalo, IA.

The female who was struck in the accident has been identified as Vicki Lynn Bitner. 53 year old white female from Davenport, IA.

On scene investigation showed a black Chevy pickup was traveling west on West Front Street. The pickup struck a white 53 year old female in the westbound lane of travel near the center line. The pickup truck's driver, Bruce Treur (white male, 45 year old from Bettendorf) attempted to avoid striking the female by maneuvering the vehicle to the shoulder. After the vehicle had performed an evasive maneuver in an attempt to avoid striking the female, the pickup truck made contact with the female on the driver's side front headlight and quarter fender along with the driver's side mirror. The truck then attempted to correct its self, causing it to spin around and come to a stop.

The truck then returned to the area of accident and called 9-1-1. The name of the victim is being held pending family notification. She is currently in serious critical condition.

At this time no charges or citations have been filed.

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On July 13, 2015 at approximately 04:25 AM, a call came into the Scott Emergency Communications Center (SECC) of a person being struck by a vehicle near the 1400 block of West Front Street (HWY 22) in Buffalo, IA.

1400 West Front Street, also known as Highway 22, is located in Buffalo, IA near Buffalo Shores entrance. The area of this accident is a two lane divided cement road which is unlit with a speed limit of 55 MPH.

A vehicle traveling west on West Front Street stuck a 53 year old white female from Davenport, IA in the roadway near the 1400 block. The female was flown by Med Force helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital in critical condition.

All names are being held pending family notification and further investigation.  This accident remains under investigation.

Detective Sean Thompson 82-19
Scott County Sheriff's Office Accident Investigator.

15 Jul 2015

Making Summer More Energy Efficient

By Steve Burke

By Nathaniel Sillin

It's expected to be a hotter summer this year, but don't confine your money-saving efforts to the thermostat.

The warm months can be the best time to focus on cutting year-round energy costs (http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/steo/report/electricity.cfm). Free of snow, ice and wind, it's easier to spot problems, do repairs and budget for energy-efficient appliances and fix-up projects that can save considerable money in the future.

Your first step should be better tracking and analysis of the energy you buy. The most common sources of energy spending are home utilities and fuel costs for vehicles. However, if you own a vacation home, operate a business within your residential space or have different vehicles for land or water, see if you can separate those numbers so you can more clearly identify usage patterns month to month and find ways to cut back.

Think about an energy audit. Whether you do it yourself or pay for the services of a certified professional summer is the best time to do a basement-to-rooftop energy audit (http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/professional-home-energy-audits). Some utility companies have home energy audits online so you can see where your energy is going. Prospective homeowners might make an energy audit part of their home inspection process. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2014, the average American spent 60 percent of their energy dollars heating rooms and water. Another 16 percent goes to lighting, cooling and food refrigeration. The remainder - nearly a quarter of total home energy uses - covers all miscellaneous energy use in the house.

Then focus on the thermostat. In the summer, confine heavy air conditioning use to the hottest nights, and the rest of the time, try to set the thermostat a little higher than you do now. For example, the U.S. Energy Department says that setting your air conditioning to 78 degrees instead of 72 can save between 6-18 percent on your summer cooling bill. Before you spend money on a programmable thermostat or convert your real-time utility billing to a budget plan, note that some research questions their value (https://today.duke.edu/2015/04/autopay). First, see how much you can save by shutting off vents and doors and drawing curtains in unused rooms and spaces. If you don't have pets, you may consider setting your thermostat significantly higher than 78 before you leave for work.

Lights out. We've all been admonished to turn off the lights when we leave a room, but there are other things we can do to capture random, or "vampire," energy waste. Sensors, dimmers and timers can reduce lighting use, and installing power strips can keep computers, microwaves, cable boxes, DVRs and high-end TV sets from sucking energy even when they're not turned on. Unplugging between uses works too. Also, swapping conventional incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) can provide lighting that lasts longer and saves money on replacements.

Check for tax credits and rebates. Make a call to your tax professional, check the Internal Revenue Service's website (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-5695,-Residential-Energy-Credits) and EnergyStar.gov for news on residential energy credits for specific replacement appliances and energy-saving improvements to your home. Keep in mind that Congress traditionally acts late each year to renew old credits or to approve new ones.

Consider energy-smart landscaping. Keep in mind that well-placed trees and shrubs can shield a home from the sun and the elements year-round and potentially save 25 percent on energy costs annually.

Cars, gas, and public transportation. If you drive, consolidate errands, fill up your tank at cheaper times and consider smartphone apps to find low gas prices for commuting and vacation use. And if you don't regularly use public transportation, start testing it during the summer. The additional walking most people do when they take public transportation has health benefits as well.

Bottom line: This summer, don't just try to keep cool. Save money by changing your year-round energy behavior.

15 Jul 2015

Iowa Certifies six more industrial sites as "development-ready" and launches a Green Certification classification

By Rick Martin

Six sites are located in the communities of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Norwalk, Marion, Mason City and Perry.

(DES MOINES) ?Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that six communities are in the second round of sites to achieve certification through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) certified site program. These six sites are located in the communities of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Norwalk, Marion, Mason City and Perry.

In an effort to address the lack of project-ready industrial sites in the state, the IEDA rolled out the Iowa Certified Site Program in May 2012. The Iowa Certified Site Program is designed to consider a combination of national site location standards as well as Iowa's natural assets and industry needs of the state's targeted sectors. This is an independent, third-party certification program that uses the nationally recognized site selection firm of McCallum Sweeney Consulting (MSC) as the sole certifying agent. The program's first certifications were announced last April for sites in Dexter, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls and Van Meter.

"Creating jobs and increasing family incomes for Iowans is my administration's top priority," said Gov. Branstad. "With the announcement that six additional Iowa sites have gone through a rigorous certification process to be considered 'development-ready,' we are moving Iowa to the top of the list for projects that are looking for a home. Those projects mean more Iowa jobs."

"A lot of credit goes to the communities of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Norwalk, Marion, Mason City and Perry," commented Lt. Gov. Reynolds. "The investment to achieve site certification isn't a small one, but it is sure to pay dividends both locally and for our state as a whole."

Site certification is one of the fastest growing trends in the site selection business, and by introducing certified sites to the market Iowa is better able to compete for large-scale projects.  By going through this rigorous process, developers -- working closely with their local officials, utility partners and consultants -- are better prepared to market their sites with specific site-related information and community data.  All site due diligence is completed and resulting issues are mitigated, making the site "risk-free" and thus accelerating the development schedule.

"Iowa is improving its competitive position in the world of site selection by certifying six additional industrial sites," said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA. "Iowa's Certified Sites Program now boasts 10 sites, with even more in the queue. This shows the world that Iowa is open for business."

The six sites certified today began the process in 2013. After working through the rigorous certification process, these six sites have met the standards of the Iowa Certified Site Program and have now achieved that designation.

 

New Green Certification Initiative

 

Officials also announced the launch of a Green Certification classification as part of the Iowa Certified Site Program. This program recognizes the growing demand for environmentally sensitive design for companies that are committed to reducing the environmental impact of development.

The Green Certification program is being launched with a pilot round focused on the Green Office Park category. The criteria is designed for multiple office users and ancillary park activities. Similar to the rigorous standards of the existing industrial certification program, stringent due diligence requirements must be met in order to achieve certification. However, the green certification program in will also include recognition of and requirements to protect what might have traditionally been viewed as impediments to development, such as floodplains and wetlands. A focal point of the Green Certification program is the requirement to develop and adopt covenants that will guide the future development of the Green Business Park.

The Woodward Eco Business Park will serve as the pilot site for the new Green Certification program, with applications for subsequent parks to be accepted in July 2016.

 

Details on the six sites certified today are below:

 

Eastern Iowa Industrial Center - Davenport

Developable Acres:  177.91 acres

Zoning: Light Industrial, Ag

Proximity to Interstate: I80/adjacent

Rail Access:  Yes

Organization:  Greater Davenport Redevelopment Corporation

 

Indianhead South - Mason City

Developable Acres: 145 acres

Zoning: Light Industrial

Proximity to Interstate: I35/8 miles; US18 and Hwy 27/1 mile

Rail Access: No

Organization: North Iowa Corridor Development Corporation

 

 

Ancell/Knox Property - Norwalk

Developable Acres: 55.79 acres

Zoning: Currently Ag

Proximity to Interstate: I35/10 miles; Hwy 5/4 miles

Rail Access: No

Organization: Warren County Economic Development Corporation

 

 

Perry Industrial Park - Perry

Developable Acres: 134 acres

Zoning: Light Industrial, Ag

Proximity to Interstate: I80/22 miles; Hwy 141/adjacent

Rail Access: No

Organization: Greater Dallas County Development Alliance

 

Marion Enterprise Center - Marion

Developable Acres: 130 acres

Zoning: Planned Development Commercial

Proximity to Interstate: Hwy 13/.46 miles; Hwy 151/adjacent

Rail Access: No

Organization: Marion Economic Development Corporation

 

 

Cedar Rapids Land and Air Super Park

Developable Acres: 581.98 acres

Zoning: Airport, Ag, Industrial, and Public

Proximity to Interstate: I380/1 mile; Hwy 30/2 miles

Rail Access: Yes

Organization: Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

 

Five subsequent application rounds have been opened since the program was established and 12 additional sites are currently working their way through various phases of the program. The next round of applications will be accepted this month for the following categories:

General Industrial Site -- 50 - 249 contiguous acres

Large Site -- 250 - 499 contiguous acres

Super Site -- 500 - 999 contiguous acres

Mega Site -- 1,000+ contiguous acres

General Industrial Park -- 100+ acres with one site ? 50 acres

Super Park -- 500+ acres with one site ? 250 acres

For more information about the Iowa Certified Site Program, visit www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/SiteLocation/CertifiedSite.

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15 Jul 2015

WITH OVER 3 MILLION BOOKS SOLD, CREATIVE HAVEN® IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SERIES FOR ADULTS WHO LOVE TO COLOR

By Ken Katzman
Mineola, New York, 7/2015 ? Dover Publications, Inc. (www.doverpublications.com) is proud to publish Creative Haven® coloring books, a popular choice for adults looking to rediscover the simple joys of coloring. The company has recently celebrated a new milestone of success, as the series has now topped over 3 million books sold.

Millions of adults and teenagers have discovered that coloring is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying ways to relax and escape the stress of everyday life. But since the majority of coloring books are targeted to young girls and boys, finding appropriate material has been a challenge.

However, Dover Publications has been creating coloring books specifically designed for more experienced artists for over 45 years, releasing Antique Automobiles Coloring Book in 1970. Dover drew on these decades of experience to launch the bestselling Creative Haven® series in 2012. Since then, more than 3 million copies have been sold, earning more than $18 million in retail sales.

Each title features 31 highly detailed illustrations, spotlighting many of today's most popular coloring themes: mandalas and mosaics, Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs, birds and animals, flowers and folk art, tattoos and abstracts, and much, much more. Since colorists love to display their finished pieces, the images are printed on only one side of high-quality paper that is perforated at the spine for easy removal from the books. Priced as low as $5.99, there are currently over 150 titles in print, many of which are also sold overseas in Russia, Spain, China, Germany, and other countries.

Dover's most popular coloring book illustrators are heavily involved in the series, including the prolific Marty Noble, the Spike TV show Ink Master Season 5 contestant Erik Siuda, Alberta Hutchinson, Miryam Adatto, Angela Porter, Alexandra Cowell, Marjorie Sarnat, Jessica Mazurkiewicz, and others.

Dover has helped build a thriving community of adult colorists through its Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media pages. Thousands of people share their passion for coloring and enter monthly contests to win free coloring books. The publisher will also be sponsoring the first annual National Coloring Book Day on August 2, 2015. A time to relax and color, the celebration will be filled with coloring book parties and other special events.

Since its launch in 2012, Dover has expanded the Creative Haven® line with a variety of new products: Draw and Color, Hidden Picture Twist, Color by Number, Paint by Number, 3-D Designs, and Stained Glass editions.

Plus, with the new series Spark! Activities That Inspire, even young boys and girls can enjoy the special features found in Creative Haven® coloring books. Tailored to children ages 6 to 10, Spark! titles are filled with engaging and enjoyable activities about cats, owls, and other kid-friendly topics that help foster creativity ? and like Creative Haven®, the illustrations are printed on one side of perforated pages for easy removal and display.

Creative Haven® titles can be found wherever books are sold, including such major craft chains as Michaels, A. C. Moore, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, and Aaron Brothers. They are also on sale at Barnes & Noble, Target, and at select Walmart locations, as well as thousands of independent bookstores, museums, and gift shops. And online ordering is easy at Dover's website, www.doverpublications.com, and Amazon.com.

For a review copy of a Creative Haven® or Spark! title, please contact Ken Katzman at kkatzman@doverpublications.com


Dover Publications, Inc., founded by New Yorkers Hayward and Blanche Cirker in 1941, is headquartered in Mineola, New York. More than 10,000 titles include books on architecture, astronomy, chess, clip art and fine art, crafts, history, literature, and mathematics, as well as music scores, the world's premier paper doll line, value-priced Dover Little Activity Books, and titles by over two dozen Nobel Laureates. Dover also offers eBook versions of thousands of titles, available at a variety of online retailers, including the Apple iBookstore, Google, and Amazon.

The Press, Retailers & Colorists Are Raving About Creative Haven®:
"We're ogling the extensive selection of Creative Haven's adult coloring books, which give grown-ups of any degree of artistic aptitude an outlet to let those creative juices flow. From nature-centric mandalas to steampunk designs, the selection has a coloring book for just about every aesthetic predilection." ? The Huffington Post

"Creative Haven is a big hit here. We sold out of Flower Fashion Fantasies the day after they came in!  I always suspected that we were selling coloring books as much to the parents as to the children." ? Nana Cinnater, Manager of the Provincetown Bookshop

"I found this coloring book in a craft store and was instantly intrigued by the designs. I did not know coloring books were made for adults. I bought it and was thrilled to color and let my inner child out with designs that were more sophisticated than children's coloring books." ? Mooze, Pflugerville, TX
15 Jul 2015

Lineup and New Festivities Announced for Iowa Irish Fest, July 31 - Aug. 2

By Rick Martin

Get ready to revel on at the largest Irish festival in Iowa, featuring both fan favorites and new additions, including an Irish wedding and rugby tournament. Gaelic Storm, The Elders and Screaming Orphans headline the fun-filled Iowa Irish Fest weekend of Irish culture, music, food and sports.

WATERLOO, Iowa?The ninth annual Iowa Irish Fest, sponsored by Veridian Credit Union, will open Friday, July 31, and run through Sunday, Aug. 2, at Lincoln Park and the surrounding streetscapes of downtown Waterloo. From international performers and Gaelic art to traditional Irish food and an Irish wedding, the 2015 Iowa Irish Fest has it all. Kicking off with a parade at 4 p.m. Friday, Iowa Irish Fest will permeate downtown Waterloo with the sights, sounds and flavors of Irish heritage.

"We are excited to present another weekend of Irish culture, food, music and sports?including a rugby tournament---during the 2015 Iowa Irish Fest," said Chad Shipman, Iowa Irish Fest director. "The rugby tournament is a great new addition to the festival. We anticipate the tournament will bring even more people to the Cedar Valley to experience Irish culture."

Six downtown stages will host dozens of local, regional and international performers, cultural education seminars, kids' contests and more. The Nagle Stage on Park Avenue will feature the headliner shows. More traditional acts will perform on the Lincoln Savings Bank Stage at E. 4th and Lafayette Streets. A third music stage will be inside Jameson's Public House on E. 4th Street. The Wells Fargo Cultural Events Center Stage will be located at the northeast corner of Lincoln Park. Additional cultural activities and Irish whiskey tastings will occur inside the Elks Club. The family area Life 101.9 stage will be located at E. 4th and Mulberry Streets.                      

Iowa Irish Fest staple Gaelic Storm will be back, along with a crowd favorite, the Trinity Irish Dancers. The Elders and the Screaming Orphans will join Gaelic Storm as the three headliners for the weekend.

Gaelic Storm will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday and at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on Nagle Stage. They balance tradition with modern influences to create a blend of Celtic rock and folk. Their innovative sound has landed them on top of the Billboard World Chart four times. With 10 albums and nearly 3,000 live performances under their belt, it's no wonder Gaelic Storm made Full Irish, their greatest hit album. Gaelic Storm will release their latest album, Matching Sweaters, on July 24, and it will be available for fans at the Iowa Irish Fest. Gaelic Storm performances are brought to the Iowa Irish Fest by sponsor VGM and Associates.

"We love having Gaelic Storm come and perform," said Doug Larrabee, entertainment chair. "They certainly have developed a following at Iowa Irish Fest. Attendees enjoy Gaelic Storm's high energy, stage presence and the fun ways they turn attendees into participants during their performances."

Also headlining this year's festival are international touring artists, The Elders. This six-man band's ability to bring together the art of storytelling and elements of progressive and traditional Celtic music has won them a broad international fan base. They will perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday on Nagle Stage.

The Screaming Orphans, a band of four sisters from Bundoran, Ireland, are headlining all three days of the festival. They will perform at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday on Nagle Stage, and at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the Lincoln Savings Bank Stage. The sisters grew up singing traditional Irish music before deciding to start their own pop rock band when they were teenagers.

This year, Iowa Irish Fest will expand the sports offerings beyond the Highland Games and annual 5k to include the first annual Iowa Irish Fest Rugby Invitational, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the East High School practice field, located two blocks from the festival grounds at 214 High Street. All players receive a weekend pass to the festivities, as well as discounted passes for their friends and family. The winning team will receive jerseys, a trophy and a cash prize.                               

The weekend will also include :

  • Irish cultural events and storytelling performances

  • An Irish wedding, Friday night at the Wells Fargo Cultural Events Center Stage (first wedding ever hosted at Iowa Irish Fest)

  • Soda bread and Irish Stew competition

  • Variety of food vendors offering traditional Irish and American favorites, with Jameson's Public House featuring a traditional Irish breakfast Sunday morning

  • Whiskey tastings, ancestry workshops, Sunday brunch and the Gary Kelly festival art unveiling at the Elks Club

  • Irish Fest merchandise, kilts and Irish heritage items for sale

  • Highland Games, 5-8 p.m. Friday (demonstration) and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday (games)

  • Fifth annual ShamRock N Run 5k walk/run, 9 a.m. Saturday

  • Family fun area with inflatable amusements, face painting and kids' contests

  • Outdoor Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday

The annual Iowa Irish Fest is organized by the Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, an organization intended to foster and develop Irish fellowship and outreach into the community with Irish cultural events and programs. Iowa Irish Fest 2015 will run from July 31-Aug. 2. Admission is $15 for all three days, and children 12 and under are free. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.IowaIrishFest.com. Click here to purchase online tickets: http://iowairishfest.ticketmob.com/event.cfm?cart&id=101755

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