Events

Eric Ruby RINKY DINK September 18 - November 14, 2026
ARTISTS’ RECEPTION Friday, September 18, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Wege Gallery
GALLERY TALK WITH ERIC RUBY Saturday, September 19, 10:00 am - 11:30 am Wege Gallery
GALLERY HOURS Open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Wege Gallery is proud to present the work of Eric Ruby in RINKY DINK. Featuring photographs taken over several years in the midwestern United States, RINKY DINK leads us into spaces public and private, rural, fancy, moth-eaten and ultimately cinematic. Taken in together, the work reveals a penchant for wandering and admiration for the work that people do and the lives they craft for themselves.
In Norman Bryson’s classic book on still life painting, “Looking at the Overlooked,” he analyzes “The Battle between Carnival and Lent,” (1589) the well-known painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Bryson breaks down the relationship between abundance and scarcity, framing it as the natural rhythm that shapes agrarian culture. “When abundance comes, it is that of the land, for the people who live from the land; a banquet of the world, rather than the affluence of private tables.” The characters and scenes in Ruby’s work richly reflect this ethos.
RINKY DINK, or what is vintage, shoddy or outmoded is something nostalgic, pointing to that which never cared to be slick and modern. A cheap show or a threadbare band; RINKY DINK is lively and unpolished, like Bruegel’s figures. In Ruby’s photographs we see the accumulated evidence of people making something out of what they have and making it generously for each other.

Photography: Gillian Brown

ICON Contemporary Art

58 N. Main St., Fairfield, IA

August 7-October 17, 2026

Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00-4:00 PM

Explore the photography of Gillian Brown in this exhibition at ICON Contemporary Art in downtown Fairfield. The exhibition will be on display through October 17.

Spontaneous Little Worlds: Works by Valerie Gamble

freeform Art Gallery

Opening Reception
Friday, October 2 | 5:30 – 9:00 PM during Fairfield First Fridays

Collage and Paint with Valerie
Saturday, October 17 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 2:00 – 7:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Tuesday, September 29 – Saturday, October 24

Small pieces of paper open into much bigger worlds in Valerie Gamble’s playful mix of collage, watercolor, ink and pen. Created spontaneously and intuitively, each work invites you to slow down, look closer and see where a little imagination can lead.

Contact: info@freeformartgallery.com

What is This?

FRAN is hosting ten free block parties, two in each of Fairfield's five wards, so every neighborhood gets its turn. Each one connects you to practical help and to the people next door.

What to Expect?

Your neighbors!  Games and activities for all ages. Free snacks and good company. Home repair and resource table.

What to Bring?

Some sites have little shade. A water bottle, a hat, and a lawn chair are good to have.

Spanish Learning Circle

Wednesdays, September 2–December 30, 2026 | 5:00–5:45 PM

Fairfield Public Library, Main Space Center Tables

Join native speakers, advanced students, and beginners for weekly conversational Spanish practice in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Participants meet at the tables in the center of the Library, between the Book Sale area and Adult Fiction, and are welcome to explore the Library during the session.

The Library also encourages learners to use the free Mango Languages learning app, available to all FPL borrowers.

Book Treks

Every Thursday | 10:00–11:00 AM

Chautauqua Park

Audience: Adults

Enjoy audiobooks and the outdoors with Book Treks! Meet other audiobook listeners at Chautauqua Park and stroll while listening to the audiobook of your choice.

Each month, Fairfield Public Library will select an audiobook through the Libby app and make it available to FPL borrowers with no wait time.

This program is co-sponsored by the Fairfield Department of Park & Recreation.

Japanese Learning Circle

Thursdays, September 3–December 31, 2026 | 5:00–5:45 PM

Fairfield Public Library, Main Space Center Tables

Join native speakers, advanced students, and beginners for weekly conversational Japanese practice in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Participants meet at the tables in the center of the Library, between the Book Sale area and Adult Fiction, and are welcome to explore the Library during the session.

The Library also encourages learners to use the free Mango Languages learning app, available to all FPL borrowers.

Game Club at Wanderer’s Haul

Every Sunday & Thursday 

Sunday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Thursday 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

206 S Main St, Fairfield, IA 52556

Wander in to Wanderer's Haul every Thursday for a night full of strategy, fun, and a little friendly competition. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a first-time player, there's something for everyone. Explore new board games, meet new people, and dive into engaging gameplay. From classics to the latest releases, the fun keeps rolling.

What to Expect:

Play popular board games

Meet fellow board game enthusiasts

Learn to play the weekly highlighted game

RSVP: Not required. Just bring your love of games and a competitive spirit.

In The Empowerment Process® session, we gently explore how to release and transform our own personal triggers, issues and cycles by learning how to
identify and listen to our emotional responses without judgment.

When you name your Opportunity for Transformation, the next step is simply noticing how you feel about it.

I invite you all - even if you’re already familiar with the EP or have taken my course - to come together as a group and witness the power of the Empowerment Process in a community setting.

You have two opportunities to attend, and I strongly advise you to attend both.

Thursday, October 4th 7-9PM

and

Thursday October 8th 7-9PM

3 Sisters Mystery School
106 North Main St.

Fairfield, IA

Bring your friends and family to this special opportunity!

With love and blessings,

Janet

Scenic Drive Festival

Friday, October 9-Sunday, October 11, 2026

Villages of Van Buren, Throughout Van Buren County, IA

When the leaves begin to turn, the Villages of Van Buren come alive for the annual Scenic Drive Festival. Spend the weekend exploring the area's historic river towns while enjoying arts and crafts vendors, antiques, art shows, live music, garage sales, kids' activities, parades, car and motorcycle shows, food, and more.

Activities and vendors are spread throughout the Villages, including Bentonsport, Bonaparte, Downtown Keosauqua, and the Van Buren County Fairgrounds, with vendors at Fair View Barn, Roberts Memorial Building, Morton Building, and outdoor areas.

In Keosauqua, the weekend includes the Fall Festival with craft vendors, food trucks, activities, the Keosauqua Rotary Parade, musical entertainment, the 20th Annual Car Show, and more.

It's a great opportunity to make a day or weekend of it, following the scenic roads between the villages, browsing local shops and vendors, and taking in the fall scenery along the way.

For more information: Villages of Van Buren Scenic Drive Festival

Beginner Fly Tying Series

Jefferson County Park Nature Center

2003 Libertyville Road, Fairfield, IA

September 18, October 9 & November 13, 2026 | 5:00-6:30 PM

Cost: $5

Learn to tie three effective flies for Southern Iowa ponds and trout streams: the San Juan Worm, Black Beauty Midge, and Woolly Bugger. No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. Participants will tie three of each fly and receive a fly box to store them in.

Pre-registration is required. One registration provides access to all three classes.

"Rocktoberfest" Gem, Mineral, and Lapidary Show

Blue Rose Ballroom 
Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, October 11, 2026 

Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Calling all rockhounds, amateur geologists, and petrofilias! The Sac & Fox Lapidary Club's annual "Rocktoberfest" Gem, Mineral, and Lapidary Show returns to Fairfield for a weekend filled with all things rocks, gems, and fossils.

Browse jewelry, mineral specimens, fossils, polished stones, crystals, apparel, and more. Try your hand at geode-cracking and discover something new at this popular annual event. Free admission, free parking, and open to the public!

For more information: Mike Messer | (210) 216-1547 | ressem52@aol.com

Café Paradiso: Steve Farber 

Café Paradiso

Saturday, October 10 | 7:30–9:30 PM

Join Café Paradiso for an evening with award-winning songwriter and performer Steve Farber, winner of the Great American Song Contest. Known for heartfelt Americana and folk originals, Farber blends decades of storytelling with rich musicality.

Brian Haas - Jazz Pianist

Saturday, October 10 | 7:30 PM

Golden Magnolia Sanctuary
200 S. Main St.

World-renowned pianist Brian Haas of Nolatet takes the stage at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary on Saturday, October 10.

Come experience his music up close in an intimate setting!

Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$20 in advance | $30 at the door
Golden Magnolia Sanctuary, 200 S. Main St., Fairfield, Iowa

Grab your tickets in advance and join us for a great night of live music!

Haunting Movies Series
Fairfield Public Library

Saturday, October 10, 17, 24 | Doors 7:00 PM | Movie 7:30 PM

A little spooky. A little strange. And a good reason to spend three Saturday nights at the library.

The Fairfield Public Library’s Haunting Movies series brings three classic films to the screen this October. Expect a mix of macabre comedy, gothic drama and haunting cinema, with a different film each week.

Movie Nights

Saturday, October 10 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 17 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 24 | 7:30 PM

Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Karaoke Night at Noble House Kava

Noble House Kava

115 N. Main St., Fairfield, IA

Every Saturday | 8:00-10:30 PM

Join Noble House Kava for weekly karaoke night. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just want to have some fun with friends, everyone is welcome to take the mic.

Grab a drink, sing your heart out, and enjoy an evening of music and good company.

Sunday Gravel Ride

Date: Every Sunday(Labor Day to Fall)

Time: 1/1:30 PM

Location: Leave from Chautauqua Park

Details:Join a friendly and inclusive cycling group for Fall Sunday gravel rides. Whether you\'re new to gravel or a seasoned rider, there’s a route for you. Each week, riders can choose from 2 to 3 different route options with varying mileage to match your pace and goals.

After the ride, stick around for a casual post-ride hangout at a local restaurant. Come for the ride, stay for the community.

All levels welcome. Bring water, and a sense of adventure.

English Learning Circle

Mondays, September 14–December 28, 2026 | 5:00–5:45 PM

Fairfield Public Library, Main Space Center Tables

Join native speakers, advanced students, and beginners for weekly conversational English practice. Participants can practice speaking in a relaxed, welcoming setting while meeting other language learners.

The Library also encourages participants to use the free Mango Languages learning app, available to all FPL borrowers.

Ceramic Pumpkins Class

In A Pinch Studios
Located in the Wildflower Salon 

Friday, October 16 | 12 – 2 PM or 6 – 8 PM

Create your own ceramic pumpkins in this hands-on pottery class. Choose from two session times.

Niladri Kumaar: The Space Between the Notes

Fairfield Arts & Convention Center

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 7:30 PM-9:30 PM

Cost: $25-$49

Experience an unforgettable evening with internationally acclaimed sitar virtuoso Niladri Kumaar, one of India's most celebrated classical musicians and innovators. Blending centuries-old tradition with contemporary creativity, Kumaar performs on both the sitar and his own innovative Zitar alongside an ensemble of Indian and American musicians.

The Space Between the Notes also honors Kumaar's celebrated musical partnership with the late tabla master Zakir Hussain, featuring music inspired by their only recorded live performance together. This extraordinary concert offers audiences a moving journey through the rich traditions and evolving artistry of Indian classical music.

Package tickets go on sale August 18, with individual tickets available September 1. Discounted group rates and youth tickets are available by calling the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center Box Office at (641) 472-2787.

Movies at Central Park: The Monster Squad (1987)

Friday, October 16th | Central Park, Fairfield, IA

Movie begins at dusk | Free & family-friendly

Movie: The Monster Squad (1987)

Description:
A group of kids obsessed with monsters discover that Count Dracula and his crew of classic Universal monsters have arrived in their town. To save the world, they form a “Monster Squad” and take on Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and Frankenstein’s monster in an 80s cult favorite blending comedy, horror, and adventure.

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g8FfH7j3Xc

More info: Fairfield Parks & Recreation | 641-472-6159