Kalona, Iowa is the place to be this Friday and Saturday, as the annual Kalona Days returns. This year’s celebration is June 21 and 22.

Wagon rides and food vendors kick things off Friday at 5:30 p.m. with both continuing until 8:30. Formerly held on the sidewalks, the Night Market starts at 6 p.m. and includes music from Country Biscuits. In an effort to make the market more accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, it will now be in the grass lot at the corner of B Avenue and Sixth Street. Friday night also includes face painting and games for kids.

Saturday’s festivities begin with the Fun Run/Walk. Registration is at 7 a.m., and half of the funds raised will be donated to the Parkinson’s foundation. The late morning/early afternoon will see the pie and cookie baking contest, more kids’ activities, barrel train, bounce house, and the Optimist Bike Giveaway. Winners must be present for the bike. Sidewalk sales will be available all day Saturday, and another farmers market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Kalona Days Parade highlights the afternoon, and Tonia Poole, Director of the Kalona Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the event with KCII. “Everybody looks forward to that parade at four o’clock. [We’re] going down C Avenue with different opportunities for shade. We have a Veterans’ Tent next to the Kalona Library so if you have served or are serving with the military there is reserved seating in the shade for you there. Following the parade we’ve got music in the park with The Old Man Band and more food trucks.”

For more information about Kalona Days 2024, visit the Kalona Chamber of Commerce website.