Mount Vernon and Lisbon are lovely small towns only 30 minutes east of Cedar Rapids and 30 minutes north of Iowa City. The towns come alive in the spring, summer, and fall.  The residents and the business community invite you to come and experience what they have to offer.  These two towns are truly “close to you, far from ordinary.”

As the trees green and the flowers bloom, the beauty of Mount Vernon and Lisbon await you. Mount Vernon has three sections of town listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Cornell College campus, the Ash Park District (northwest corner of town), and the Main Street.  Drive or stroll the streets to see several dozen Victorian homes that are remarkably unchanged from one hundred years ago. When visitors are asked for one-word description of Mount Vernon the most common answer is “charming.” Come and see for yourself.

There are other treats as well.  Try golf at the Hillcrest Country Club course, which is open to the public. Take a long walk through the college campus and our city parks. Come to Main Street for award-winning restaurants and specialty shops. Mount Vernon and Lisbon welcome you!

There are several high-quality special events planned in Mount Vernon and Lisbon for 2008. They include:

Chalk the Walk
    Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4
    10-6 each day
    Main Street Mount Vernon
    Free

Chalk the Walk is based on an original art form that began in Italy in the 16th century.  Called Madonnari, this form of public art was originally done by street artists hoping to collect coins from passersby. Images back then were based on religious themes, and as the Madonna was a popular subject, the artists became known as the “Madonnari.”

Although these festivals have become very popular in the U.S. in the last few decades, particularly in California, this is the largest Madonnari festival in Eastern Iowa.  The co-sponsors of the event have secured the talents of professional Madonnari artist Dawn Morrison Wagner from California who will be creating a 12’ by 12’ chalk recreation of an Italian Renaissance painting. In addition, several other professional artists will be creating 10’ by 12’ chalk images as well.

Event producers are also utilizing hundreds of local people to create a massive 2800-square-foot recreation of  a yet to be determined painting.  Each person will be responsible for creating a single 2’ by 2’ square of the chosen painting, and when finished, the chalk drawing will appear as a giant quilt, colored with pastel chalk by artists of all abilities.


4th of July Extravaganza
    Friday, July 4
    7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Main Street Mount Vernon
    Free

Mount Vernon has been a regional shopping destination on the Fourth for many years. It started with antiques, but it has expanded to include all the specialty retailers. Mount Vernon is truly “Open for Business” on Friday, July 4th. The shops are open early, too – typically by 7:00 a.m.!  Some merchants offer special deals. Some bring inventory outside. You will enjoy homemade food and cold drinks.

There will also be a one-day antiques fair featuring merchandise from antiques vendors in a regional radius of Mount Vernon. This is the second year for the one-day antique fair. For information on having a booth on the Fourth call Ange Baxa at 895-8185 or go to www.visitmvl.com for a registration blank. July 4 is a Friday this year, and the beginning of a three-day weekend. Come to Mount Vernon on the 4th to begin your weekend this year.


Heritage Days
    Thursday to Saturday, July 10-12
    Thursday night, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight
    Throughout Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon’s annual summer-time festival is called Heritage Days. The celebration runs from Thursday night, July 11 through Saturday night, July 12.  Thursday night will feature an impressive fireworks display at Hillcrest Country Club on the east side of town (just off U.S. Highway 30).  On Friday and Saturday during the day, Main Street will be full of food vendors, live music, and activities for kids.  All the shops will be open, too.

Saturday morning will feature the annual Heritage Days parade, followed by more entertainment and fun. Friday and Saturday street dances extend the fun into the wee hours. 

Art in the Park
    Saturday, July 12
    10-5
    Memorial Park (just west of Mount Vernon Main Street)
    
Magnificent art in a beautiful setting! Held in connection with Heritage Days, Art in the Park is a show and sale featuring hand made art of several types – from pottery to sculpture, painting, and hand made jewelry.
This is your chance to visit with the artists themselves and learn about their inspiration and their techniques.

In addition to the art, there will be entertainment in the gazebo in the park. Of special interest: performances by a local children’s theater group.

Lisbon Sauerkraut Days
    Thursday through Saturday, August 7-9
    Throughout Lisbon

This will be the 99th year that Lisbon has celebrated Sauerkraut Days, making the celebration without doubt one of the oldest in Iowa. The event celebrates Lisbon’s German heritage (the folks called the Pennsylvania Dutch) and is just plain fun!

For information on Sauerkraut Days, go to www.sauerkrautdays.com.  On Thursday evening, August 7, enjoy a FREE pie and ice cream social at Lisbon City Park.  Entertainment and food is served at 7:00 p.m.  All the pies are home-baked and donated.Early on Friday night, August 8, the Sauerkraut Days King and Queen will be crowned. There’s a cute twist to this contest: all of the entrants are young children from town.  Later on Friday night, come to the first of two street dances on Main Street.

Saturday begins with a 9:00 a.m. parade on Main Street. This is the day to bring the kids from rides and games. All food served is local, and homemade.  Don’t forget to have the specialty of the house – Bavarian Sauerkraut donated by Frank's Sauerkraut. Lisbon Sauerkraut Days ends with a street dance on Saturday night on Main Street.
   

Lincoln Highway Art Festival    
    Saturday, September 27
    10-5
    Mount Vernon Main Street
   
Nearly 40 Iowa artists line the Main Street of Mount Vernon as it becomes a pedestrian mall for the day. Enjoy strolling musicians and great food as you shop for the newest addition to your home or your art collection.
Sponsored by the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council, contact Galen Lacey at 895-0636 for information on the artists signed up to show their work or for information on showing your own work.
   

This list of events should convince you that there is plenty to do in Mount Vernon and Lisbon over the next few months.  Come visit us for interesting shops, great food, distinctive events, and just plain fun! Your source for information is www.visitmvl.com.