HERITAGE DAYS

This year will be the 50th anniversary and will be the end of an era for Osborne Heritage Days. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us, you won't want to miss it!

Due to the declining number of available vendors and exhibitors in recent years we will no longer be hosting the traditional Heritage Days after 2025. We do however, intend on having a fall event in its place so stay tuned for more details on that in the future.​

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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.

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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.

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

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Contests include: buffalo chip throwing and pumpkin decorating.

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

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Live bands each day on the stage.

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There is no ATM located on the grounds so please plan ahead and bring cash to purchase goods. 

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