Osborne Heritage Days (1)

Heritage Days began in 1975 as a way to bring life back to the tiny community of Osborne, Iowa.  Tucked in among the rolling wooded hills between Elkader and Strawberry Point, the once thriving town has lost most of its inhabitants to other areas since its heyday in the 1930’s.  Heritage Days was planned to take visitors back in time to this community, and all other Iowa towns of the pioneer era, through living history demonstrations, contests and other activities.

​From its modest beginnings, with only a handful of demonstrations, Heritage Days has grown to become one of Northeast Iowa’s most popular fall festivals.  Held on the second weekend of October each year, Heritage Days usually falls during the peak of the fall leaf season. Thousands of visitors to the area stop at Osborne to take a brief journey back in time.

Demonstrations include: basketry, candle making, quilting, spinning, story telling and flint napping.

Contests include: buffalo chip throwing, chili cooking, and pumpkin decorating.

Tasty Foods include: caramel apples, pie, buffalo stew, fry bread, and lefse.

KADR-KCTN Pumpkin Contests

KADR-KCTN Radio, Elkader, will be sponsoring two pumpkin contests and the Iowa Championship Buffalo Chip Throw on Sunday, October 15th at Heritage Days. The “Carved or Decorated Pumpkin Contest” includes cash prizes for first through third places in two age divisions: 12 years and under, and 13 years and over. The “Great Pumpkin Contest” is a search for the largest pumpkin grown in the area. They are judged by the total weight plus circumference. This contest is divided into two age divisions as well, and cash prizes will be awarded in each division. The record for the largest pumpkin at Heritage Days is 1,056 pounds! All entries should be brought to Osborne Park on Sunday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Judging will take place at 1:00 p.m., winners will be announced by 2:00 p.m.

The Iowa Championship Buffalo Chip Throw

The Buffalo Chip Throw will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday. Prizes will be given for 1st place in 4 divisions: Men’s, Women’s, Boy’s, and Girl’s furthest throw.