There’s a lot going on in central Iowa this weekend. If you’ve never been to the Des Moines Arts Festival, head downtown to check it out. Bonus tip: If you love art, check out the “other art show” in the Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds this weekend. You’re more likely to find art you can afford there. I go every year to buy note cards with art photography or reproductions of paintings. I also like to look at children’s clothing decorated by a batik artist (she also sells women’s clothes).

This is an unusually busy week in Iowa politics, considering that’s summer in a non-election year. Governor Chet Culver is taking a campaign train to several western Iowa locations today (Wednesday). Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is headlining a Republican event on Thursday. The Iowa Democratic Party’s Hall of Fame awards ceremony is on Saturday.

If you attend any of these events, please post a comment or put up a diary afterwards.

Event details are after the jump.  

Wednesday, June 24:

From an e-mail sent by Chet Culver’s campaign committee:

All Aboard Governor Culver’s Iowa Unlimited

Wednesday, June 24, 2009  

7:45 a.m. * Send-off Event for Governor Culver’s Iowa Unlimited

Downtown Des Moines – South of Court Avenue on 4th Street

8:00 – 9:19 a.m. * Travel Des Moines to Earlham

9:19 – 9:49 a.m. * Iowa Unlimited Stop in Earlham

Location: Chestnut Street Rail Crossing * Open to the Public  

9:49 – 10:25 a.m. * Travel Earlham to Menlo

10:25 – 10:55 a.m. * Iowa Unlimited Stop in Menlo

Location: Menlo Park, 417 Sherman * Open to the Public  

10:55 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. * Travel Menlo to Atlantic

12:05 – 2:30 p.m. * Iowa Unlimited Stop in Atlantic with a Community Potluck

Location: Rock Island Depot, 102 Chestnut Street * Open to the Public  

2:30 – 4:10 p.m. * Travel Atlantic to Council Bluffs

4:10 – 4:40 p.m. * Iowa Unlimited Stop in Council Bluffs

Location: Rails West Museum, 1512 S. Main Street, Council Bluffs * Open to the Public  

The Governor Culver’s Iowa Unlimited is being provided thanks to the generous support of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd., and logistical support provided by the local communities.

If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact Joni Klaassen by email at joni.klaassen@iowa.gov, by phone at 515.281.0141 or by FAX at 515.281.0217

Join Us in Welcoming

Governor Chet Culver

to Council Bluffs

with Special Guest

Senator Mike Gronstal

The Governor will be visiting

Council Bluffs as part of his

Whistle Stop Tour of Iowa

Wednesday, June 24th

6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

Cellar 19

928 Valley View Drive

Cash Bar.

Appetizers Provided

Selected Iowa wines will be available for tasting.

Food available to order from menu.

$10 Suggested Donation to the Pottawattamie County Democrats.

Visit www.Cellar19.com for directions.

Contact Pete D’Alessandro at Pete@ChetCulver.com

Thursday, June 25:

There’s a fundraiser for Buy Fresh Buy Local:

A June Wedding: Iowa Wines Marry Iowa Appetizers

Buy Fresh Buy Local wine tasting fundraiser sponsored and hosted by Gateway Market

June 25, 5:30 to 7:30

At Gateway Market at the Village of Ponderosa (West Des Moines)

Join the chefs at Gateway Market who will prepare foods from Buy Fresh Buy Local farms to pair with wines from BFBL vintners. A delicious opportunity to show your support for BFBL, to satiate your taste buds with Iowa goodness, and to go home empowered to take your “Iowa” hosting abilities to a new level. Share the evening with fellow supporters, farmers, and vintners. Tickets: $30

Come taste wines from Jasper Winery, Rosey Acres, Two Saints, and Grape Escape!

Saturday, June 27:

The Iowa Democratic Party’s annual Hall of Fame event will be a reception with heavy hors d’oevres (no sit-down meal with rubber chicken!). Click here to reserve tickets.

The 10th Annual Hall of Fame

Reception and Awards Ceremony

Tribute to Honored Guests:

.

Former Governor Tom Vilsack,

First Lady Christie Vilsack,

and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Drake University, Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines, IA

Host Reception 5:30 PM

Guest Reception 5:30 PM

Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony 7 PM

Special Guests:

Governor Chet Culver & First Lady Mari Culver

Senator Tom Harkin

Lt. Governor Patty Judge

And our outstanding Democratic Elected Officials

All tickets will be at Will Call, starting at 3:30pm, Saturday, under white tents on the west side of Sheslow Auditorium.

For more information call: 515-244-1686

From Bob Krause, candidate for U.S. Senate:

Please join me for my Sentate campaign meet-greet and media event on Saturday, June 27th, for live jazz music and refreshments at the Des Moines Public Library before the Iowa Democratic Party’s 10th Annual Hall of Fame Ceremony.  I hope to meet many good Polk County Democrats there and also make a major announcement on Health Care reform for the media.

June 27th, 2009

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Des Moines Public Library – 1000 Grand Avenue

To learn more about me and where I stand on the issues or to contact me please go to www.KrauseForIowa.com. I encourage you to sign up for updates and event details. You can also follow me on FaceBook and Twitter!

Please RSVP to host James Marren so that we can better make our preparations.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Bob Krause

Democratic Candidate for US Senate

From the Iowa Environmental Council:

Saturday June 27th the 2nd Siouxland Missouri River Clean-up will be held.  Last year volunteers from Sioux City, IA, South Sioux City, NE and North Sioux City, SD along with federal, state, and local agencies and other organizations pulled 15 tons of trash from the Missouri River.  The massive effort was proof that people in the area love the river and want to improve it.  You are invited to come and help with this year’s Clean-up. To learn more go to: www.riverrelief.org/event/Siouxland-clean-up-09/