Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

If you live in SE Iowa, you’ve probably had a little trouble with rain and lightening in the last few weeks.  About 10 days ago, our phone system had a little run in… and lost. If you have tried to call our office in the last week, you’ve probably had some difficulties getting through.  Our phone guys have been scrambling to get us up and running as well as provide a much needed upgrade to our system.  I must admit, I’ve enjoyed the quiet in the office but it will be good to be able to take calls again! 

Of course, technological challenges seem to run in pairs.  Today our email freaked.  It was working just fine… then BAM, nothing goes out.  How did we used to work without phones and email?  Thank goodness I still have my blog and twitter… and soon, thanks to my web guy and my phone guy, I will be up and running with full force. 

So to all you web guys and phone guys who work under any condition, enduring our frustration, burning the midnight oil so that we can keep in touch with our associates, I offer my heartfelt thanks.  You have become heroes in my eyes.

This year’s All Things Italian Street Festival and 1st Fridays Art Walk was a wonderful success. Four to five thousand festival-goers enjoyed over 900 lasagna dinners and over 1800 freshly-filled cannoli. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you remember weekends past in Fairfield?  You know… those days when you are bored out of your mind because there was nothing to do?  Well, those days are over!   Take last weekend for example.  There was the amazing All Things Italian Art Walk and Live on the Square event featuring Bambu.  The house was really rocking at the Convention Center! How lucky are we to have a great building to move events to during a downpour! 

So what’s on tap for this week? Be sure to welcome all the Power Wagon visitors in town this week.  These enthusiasts will be in town for 4 days showing off their vehicles and enjoying the town.  The Parade heads down to the Square at 8:30 am Saturday morning. 

On the Entertainment front, this coming weekend features a U>S Verterns Benefit Variety Show Friday night, a lapidary show at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, and the highlight CVB event of the summer, The New Music Makers, an amazing Broadway revue show, complete with 36 singers, dancers and musicians Saturday night.  They will be performing excerpts from Les Miserables, Momma Mia and lots of familiar tunes from the 60’s and 70’s. 

Go here for more info about this amazing show.

 So don’t be bored Fairfield… get out and enjoy the weekend!

Friday, June 4th 6-9 pm On the Fairfield Square

It’s that time of year when the pastoral land of Fairfield, with its charming town square, becomes an Italian Piazza, complete with singing, dancing and food!  Oh the food!  Let me just say that if you go home hungry, its your own fault!  In addition to the cannolis and lasagne, there will be several food vendors in the “Merchants of Venice” area located near the square.  There are rumors that a record breaking crowd is expected so come early, eat lots, sing loud and laugh long!  Arrivederci

I really dread the fact that music I listened to as a kid is now considered ”oldies music”.  But it is still cool to see how music from Buddy Holly provided a foundation for the rock and roll era that followed.  Seriously… he was an inspiration to the Beatles and Bob Dylan.  We’re talking songs like ”Peggy Sue” and ”That’ll be the Day”; straight forward, timeless music.  So I’m really excited about the Winter Dance Party Tour coming to the Sondheim Center in Fairfield.  In talking with others who have seen the show, this is a high energy show full of Buddy’s best hits.  I hear that John Mueller, the guy who plays Buddy, is phenomenal.  Even Buddy’s family members say that this guy has Buddy’s voice and mannerisms down pat.  This is gonna be one feel good event!  So you bet I’ve got my tickets and hope to see you there on Jan. 24th rockin’ out in the aisles!

Yep, those “good vibration” guys are doing a show in Fairfield on Labor Day and the organizers are planning a great afternoon!  The Nadas from Des Moines will be opening at 12:30 and the Beach Boys take the stage at 2.  The Fairfield Middle School, 404 W. Fillmore, will be a rockin’ place. Folks are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs (and your friends!) and make a fun afternoon out of it.  I understand that there will be lots of food and beverages for sale.  It’s a great way to end the summer… come on out and have a great time!

Lt. Governor Patty Judge has been traveling the state visiting some of Iowa’s well-known attractions and hidden treasures. This morning she stopped in Fairfield to tour the Stephen Sondheim Center and was welcomed by a great crowd, including Fairfield’s Mayor Ed Malloy, Senator Becky Schmitz, members of the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and other community leaders.  One thing that really impressed me was her conviction that Iowa offers lots of great vacation options which are sometimes overlooked because they are so close to home.

I think we really surprised her when we took her up on stage to be part of the cast of Way Off Broadway’s Pirates of Penzance.  She was very brave and donned a pirate hat for a special photo opportunity.

Yo ho ho Patty!  Thanks for stopping in Fairfield!

The BYU Ballroom Dancers are coming back!  This time they will be doing several dance demos and short performances, followed by a ballroom dance lesson for the community.  Where else can you spend a fun afternoon watching top level ballroom dance up close and then learning some dance moves to use on your own?  This is going to be fun!!!!!  This Saturday, June 13 at 1:00 pm at the Sondheim Center.

So come on out to watch, come on out to dance, but come early… tickets go on sale at 10 am Saturday June 13th.  All seats are $5.

June’s 1st Fridays Art Walk is almost here.   Yep, this Friday, June 5th will bring the Italian transformation to the Fairfield Square.  Of course there will be food!!!  Get in line for your lasagne & cannolis.  Last year was a sell out and it was so good.  I’m also looking forward to the renowned juggler, Doug Grew.  What a hoot that should be!  The weather is promising to hold on to some sunshine, making this a great night to eat, drink and look at art!

Speaking of art, the Fairfield Art Association will be unveiling its mannequin project that night.  This should be crazy fun as 12 groups of artists have decorated mannequins with recycled goods.  I’ve gotten a preview & there are some creative people in this town!  Hats off to Suzan Kessel for bringing this project into reality.  You’ve gotta see Mark Schafer’s courthouse bustier!

See ya’ Friday!

May 2nd, 7:00 pm

Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company

Capture the Magic

This will be an unforgetable evening of Ballroom Dance and glamour! (check out the videos on the home page of this website)

It’s almost here and if you don’t have your ticket, RUN, don’t walk to the Convention Center Box Office or visit www.iowatix.com and get your ticket.

• 1st of all, this will be an amazing show
• 2ndly, over 200 tickets have already been sold
• and last but not least, you don’t want to get caught in line getting tickets at the last minute and miss part of the show!