"A Big Birthday needs a Big Celebration!"
"A Big Birthday needs a Big Celebration!"
Albia Restoration Days
With bunting decorating buildings around the square, Albia Restoration Days is a red, white and blue celebration that hearkens to a different era with events for everyone - and most events are FREE. Some of the featured events include:
The Albia Restoration Days Art Show & Sale (Saturday, August 22) will wrap from the northeast to the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn. With a focus on quality, the art show/sale features a mix of artists representing a variety of media that includes; acrylic, bronze, earthenware clay, fiber/fabric, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, pencil, photography, pottery, stoneware, and watercolor. The Albia Restoration Days Art Show & Sale isn't Iowa's largest biggest art show, but it is Iowa's friendliest. (For more information contact rd_artshow@albia150.org)
Planning for the 25th Annual Albia Restoration Days Parade is well underway, but there is always room for more vintage/classic vehicles, antique tractors, floats and costumed walkers in Victorian dress. (Click here for entry form.) The parade will be held Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m. This year's parade theme is "Albia - 150 Years". (Prizes totaling $500 to be awarded.) (For more information contact rd_parade@albia150.org)
The Albia Restoration Days Old Fashion Fruit Pie Contest (Saturday, August 22) is always a hit and is easy to participate in... All you have to do is find a favorite fruit pie recipe, bake the pie, bring the pie to the contest, and sit back and savor your contribution … You may even win a prize! The rules are simple: You must make your own pie - no store bought pies; NO DAIRY PRODUCTS (butter is okay); Have a list of ingredients available; Use disposable pie pans – you won’t get these back; and deliver pies to the “Pie Tent,” by the north courthouse steps, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. with no pies accepted after 10 a.m. Judging begins at 11 a.m. Slices ($2/slice) and whole pies ($10/pie) are sold as a fund-raiser for Albia Restoration Days. It is a great way to help contribute to Albia Restorations day... Oh, and be sure to stop by the Sorority Ice Cream Social to add a "scoop" to your slice. (For more information contact rd_piecontest@albia150.org)
The Albia Restoration Days Follies will mark its 26th year as the featured evening event - it originated with Albia Quasiquicentennial/125th anniversary. Serving as both the kick-off and finale for Restoration Days (Thursday - Saturday, Aug. 20 - 22), the Follies has developed into possibly the finest eclectic mix of home grown vaudevillian talent in Iowa. With previous themes ranging from Homer's "Odyssey", railroading, and Monroe County's Irish heritage producing acts like the “Farmer Tan Singers” to dramatic readings of the Albia police reports (done to a coffee house beat) you will want to reserve seats early. (For more information contact rd_follies@albia 150.org)
Sponsored by the Albia Crazy Quilters Guild, their annual Albia Restoration Days Quilt Show has shown phenomenal growth. In fact, the quilt show is the largest free admission quilt show in the state. Over 100 quilts made by Guild members will be on display Friday and Saturday, August 21 – 22, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Methodist Church Family Life Center.
How Albia RD's began...
Restoration Days’ roots trace back to Operation Facelift. Operation Facelift, a community project during the mid-1960s and early 1970’s, was a grassroots commitment to preserve the Victorian architectural features of the Albia’s square. Community leaders went against the trend at the time to “modernize” building facades believing that preserving the architectural details were a long-term investment in protecting the identity of the community.
Albia’s city fathers’ vision for the community was remarkably astute, while bucking conventional wisdom for small town main streets during the early 1970’s. Albia’s model for community renewal has often been imitated, but the sense of place can’t be duplicate. Over time, the buildings have become reminders about the character and heart of rural Iowa life.
The “Restoration Days” committee sprung from Albia’s Quasiquicentennial celebration (125 years) in 1984. The Quasiquicentennial provided a time for positive reflection on the community’s assets and was such a success it became an annual event. The Albia Restoration Days committee’s mission is to educate, promote awareness and appreciation of the uniquely preserved architectural integrity of the 92 structures that make up Albia’s National Register Historic District. using “beautiful buildings” as the benchmark of the community’s progress towards growth and development.
Restoration Days’ roots trace back to Operation Facelift. Operation Facelift, a community project during the mid-1960s and early 1970’s, was a grassroots commitment to preserve the Victorian architectural features of the Albia’s square. Community leaders went against the trend at the time to “modernize” building facades believing that preserving the architectural details were a long-term investment in protecting the identity of the community.
Albia’s city fathers’ vision for the community was remarkably astute, while bucking conventional wisdom for small town main streets during the early 1970’s. Albia’s model for community renewal has often been imitated, but the sense of place can’t be duplicate. Over time, the buildings have become reminders about the character and heart of rural Iowa life.
The “Restoration Days” committee sprung from Albia’s Quasiquicentennial celebration (125 years) in 1984. The Quasiquicentennial provided a time for positive reflection on the community’s assets and was such a success it became an annual event. The Albia Restoration Days committee’s mission is to educate, promote awareness and appreciation of the uniquely preserved architectural integrity of the 92 structures that make up Albia’s National Register Historic District. using “beautiful buildings” as the benchmark of the community’s progress towards growth and development.
he 25th annualALBIA RESTORATION DAYS
Thursday – Saturday, Aug. 20 – 22, 2009
(Updated 8/12/2009 - *this schedule of event is subject to change without notice.)
Featured Buildings: Elbert-Bates House & Loebs Building
Schedule of Events
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Library Book Sale - Noon to 6 p.m.- Very large collection of books to choose from.The Restoration Days Follies - 7:30 p.m. - Albia Theater ("Dinner for Two" promotion night)
The 2009 Restoration Days Follies "Dinner for Two" promotion is generously
sponsored by: Albia BP Deli, Albia Soda Fountain, Bogie's Steak House,
Brick Street Pub and Eatery, Casa Agave, Casey's General Store, Hardee's,
Highway Restaurant, Albia Hy-Vee Deli (3 couples), Main Street Cafe,
Mom's Place, Pizza Hut, Skean Block Restaurant, Snack Shack,
Subway Sandwiches & Salads, White Buffalo Restaurant - 18 total dinners for 2.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Monroe County Historical Museum - 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Crazy Quilters Quilt Show - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Methodist Family Life Center
Lunch-in-the-Courtyard (Chamber event) - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Sponsored by Hy-Vee)
The Library Book Sale - Noon to 6 p.m. - Very large collection of books to choose from.
The Restoration Days Follies - 7:30 p.m. - Albia Theater ($8 adults/$5 kids)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Lions’ Club Breakfast - 7 to 9 a.m. (Luncheon following)The “Walk for the Future”- 5K fun walk & run (2009 Iowa SIDS Foundation-formerly the Albia
Restoration Days Run/Walk) - 8 a.m. - North side of square
Registration @7 a.m. & set-up
Crazy Quilters Quilt Show - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Methodist Family Life Center – (The Show is open
Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
The Art Show & Sale - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Courthouse lawn
The Monroe County Historical Museum - 9 a.m. (closes at 4 p.m.) – Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
Parade - 10 a.m. - Parade Marshal: Lt. Governor Patty Judge (Parade Theme: "Albia - 150 Years"
"Isiserettes" - Marching in the Parade - and performing immediately after theThe Library Book Sale - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.- Very large collection of books to choose from.
parade in front of the bandstand.
Immediately following the Isiserettes performance at the bandstand after the
parade: Special Presentations, including: Hall of Fame, Parade
Marshal, Parade Winners, Featured Building & more (Hall of Fame
reception @courthouse lawn – 11:30 a.m.)
Kendall Place Luncheon - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Sponsored by The Monroe County Historical Society)
Old Fashioned Fruit Pie Contest - 11 a.m. - Square (Check-in 7:30-10 a.m.)
Sorority Ice Cream Social - 11 a.m. - Square
Art in the Park (kids) - 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - On Courthouse Lawn (FREE event. Projects include woven paper heart baskets, bubble paint, wooden car art, sand art, edible peanut butter sculptures, and more. A total of 8 possible projects for kids.)
Special Announcements - Noon - Bandstand (Pie Contest Awards, Beard Contest Winners, Chamber Memory Quilt Raffel & more - Entertainment during transitions)
Art Show Awards - 1 p.m. - Bandstand (present b Art Show Judge Brian Allen
Trolley Rides/Tours – 1 to 3:30 p.m.
“Southern Reign” – 1:15 to 3 p.m. – Featured Bandstand Performer– (www.southernreign.com)
"Threshing Demonstration" - 2 p.m. - Hwy 34 East - Next to 3-D Paint & Body
Live Theater (Albia notables) - 2 - 2:15 p.m. - Bandstand (This year’s portrayal is of J.E. King, by Blake Billings.)
“Paul Klingensmith” – 3 p.m. – Bandstand (Country & Gospel)
Cemetery Walk – 3 to 4 p.m. – Oakview Cemetery (This year’s walk features portrayals of William "Billy" Griffin, by Richard Grimes; Ann Miletich, by Susan Templin; Mildred Wynes, Lysle Meyer; Levi Billings, by Brandon Billings; Harrison Hickenlooper, by Tom Woodard; and Theodore Perry, by Joe Starcevic.)
Bates’ Building Tours - 3 to 5 p.m.
The Restoration Days Follies - 7:30 p.m. - Albia Theater (Raffle Winners announced during "Follies" intermission)
“Southern Reign” – 1:15 to 3 pm – Featured Bandstand Performer
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