Saturday, September 19, 2020
Apfelfest is a small festival dedicated to America’s favorite fruit! It’s a beautiful time to visit the Colonies and you’ll find apple treats, apple gifts, and apple desserts at many of the businesses. Of course, Allen’s Orchard of Marion, IA will be on site a the Visitors Center to sell you fresh apples to take home. This event will kick off our 2020 Autumn in the Amanas series, which will consist of 8 weekends of small events you won’t want to miss.
Take the Apfelfest Sampling Stroll and visit a variety of businesses that will all have something apple for you to sample, then when you’ve finished turn in your brochure and be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate. The Sampling Stroll list can be found on the Apfelfest Brochure, which can be found in print at various businesses and at the Amana Visitors Center.
We have several special events for you to partake in over Apfelfest Weekend! To kick things off on Friday, September 18th, the Amana Heritage Museum will be offering a unique German-Amana carryout meal that can be purchased online (at this link) and can be picked up at the museum at 5pm; for more information, call or email the museum at amanaheritage@southslope.net or 319-622-3567. Ackerman Winery will have coloring pages available all weekend long, and the Amana Woolen Mill will have thank-you cards available on Saturday for you to write a note of appreciation to your favorite teacher or administrator.
On Saturday night, make reservations for the Apfelfest Vintner’s Dinner at the Ox Yoke: White Cross Cellars and the Ox Yoke will be offering a 4 course meal with a wine pairing featuring special apple dishes. Limited seating is available for the Vintner’s Dinner, so call 319-6223441 for details and tickets!
From 6-9pm you’ll find the Riverbottom Ramblers performing at Millstream Brewery! In addition to their wonderful beer, you’ll find Apple Gouda brats from the Amana Meat Shop fresh of the grill during the entertainment.
In addition to these activities, you’ll find fantastic specials in businesses throughout town. Take a look at the brochure, linked on the right-hand side of this page, for more details!
We’d like to offer a special thank-you to Allen’s Orchard for joining us again this year for Apfelfest! They will be at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center from 11am-3pm selling some of their delicious apples for you to enjoy.
Fall Volksmarch
Sunday, September 20, we will revive a German tradition with our Fall Volksmarch on the Amana Nature Trail in Homestead. From 10am to 3pm join us as we walk the Nature Trail to the river overlook and back. Order your favorite lunch to go and enjoy it overlooking the Iowa River at the end of the trail! While enjoying the trail, leave nothing but footprints; please clean up any trash you create and do not litter. We encourage you to dress for the timber and bring water along with you. You may also want to have bug spray on hand for hotter or humid weather. In case of rain, the Volkmarch will be moved from the Nature Trial into Amana on our paved Recreational Trails. In case of severe inclement weather, the Fall Volksmarch will be rescheduled for a later date.
Special Thank You to our 2020 Festivals & Events Sponsors: