TRAER – Wind up in Traer for the 2026 Winding Stairs Festival, which will run August 7-8 in the 400 and 500 blocks of Second Street. This year’s theme is “Harvest the Fun.” The festival’s committee welcomes the public to attend the community events that are separate from the festivities, and are being held the day before and after.

“Every year we try to come up with a fun theme, and we felt that we’ve just sort of been missing the fact that we’re Iowa and that we’re getting close to harvest by the time we’re in August. We just really wanted to celebrate our roots and just center it around who we are as a community,” said committee member Amy Harmsen.

The town, founded in 1873, is known for its iron winding staircase that originally led up to the local newspaper’s office (a predecessor of this newspaper) and still stands today.

Thursday, August 6

Kevin Wood will be playing at the Traer Public Library from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Longest Drive, Putt, and Chip Competition (sponsored by the Traer Golf Course) will go from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In conjunction with the festival, the City of Traer and Taylor Park Landscape & Beautification Committee (Polish Up Taylor Park) will host The Big Reveal Party in the city park beginning with a 7 p.m. patriotic opening ceremony. Following the ceremony, the Ecumenical Vacation Bible School will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Taylor Park gazebo. At 8 p.m., free birthday cake will be served in celebration of America’s 250th. “The Big Reveal” will take place at 8 p.m. during which the contents of the 1976 time capsule will officially be unveiled inside the shelter house.

Friday, August 7

On the official first day of the festival, enjoy the free petting zoo from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the grassy area, west end, sponsored by the Dan and Sue Ewoldt family. There will be free face painting by Fabulous Faces on the west end, sponsored by Clutier WFLA ZCBJ Lodge of Cesti Bratri (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Also at that time will be free hair tinsel and henna services.

Scotts Amusement Carnival rides and games will be offered from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the east end of Second Street. Catch the free magic show by Eric Michaels inside the Traer Memorial Building, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., also sponsored by the Lodge. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be a free foam blaster in the grassy area of west end, plus Caricature by Steph from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the west end. Social time for reunion classes at the Traer Memorial Building will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., partake in the free egg toss on the grassy area, west end. It’s sponsored by Hometown Foods and features a $20 cash prize.

There will be free Glow Foam Blaster on the grassy area, west end, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Live music on the Main Stage is set for 8 p.m. to midnight, featuring Iowa-based Nashville recording artist Blake Jack, sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer.

“A big part of the festival is we welcome all of our alumni reunions. North Tama really tries to have all of our reunions on this weekend,” she added.

Early carnival wristbands are available at local businesses until August 5, at a cost of $20. Wristbands will cost $25 at the carnival.

Saturday, August 8

Saturday is by far the most jam-packed day of the festival. Things kick off with a pancake breakfast at the Traer United Presbyterian Church from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. It’s sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, plus the Traer Methodist Church and Ripley UCC. Donations go to CHAT (Christian Hands Across Traer), a fund created to give financial help to residents in the North Tama County Community School District for emergency situations.

Attend a book signing from 10 a.m. to noon at the Traer Public Library, featuring local author Chauncey Stanton.

At 10 a.m. the Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar in the beer tent will be up and running, sponsored by Fox Ridge Winery and A Wild Hair.

At 10 a.m. is the Kiddie & Pet Parade, sponsored by Members 1st Community Credit Union. Line up in front of the Memorial Building. Prizes awarded for Best of Show.

A highlight of the weekend will be the Little Miss and Mister Traer contest on the Main Stage at 10:15 a.m., sponsored by the Pied Piper, and for kids ages 3-10. All children are welcome to apply. Winners’ names are pulled out of a hat. You do not have to be a Traer resident to win.

“I would recommend coming a little early. We want to make sure we have all the kiddos signed up,” Harmsen said.

A free Kids Tractor Pedal Pull (for ages 5-10) will occur at 11 a.m. on the west end, sponsored by Mitch Wieben.

The Cornhole Tournament is set for 11:30 a.m., $20 a team. Register at the beer tent. It will take place south of the beer tent.

Noon will see the start of Harvest Hustle. Teams of four will compete. Register at the Main Stage, for ages 8-18. Sponsored by RedHawk Physical Therapy and The Body Shop Gym & Spa.

Scotts Amusements will continue from noon to 9 p.m. A free kids’ water ball fight (ages 8-18) is set for the east end from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy free hair tinsel on the west end from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free face painting will go from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (same artist and sponsor) and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Caricature by Steph will continue in the west end, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Grand Parade starts at 4 p.m. Line up a half hour prior on Seventh Street. Prizes for Best of Show. Free to enter, no need to register.

The petting zoo continues from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Reunion Social at the Traer Memorial Building kicks off at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m.

There will be free foam blaster from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., grassy area, west end.

Live music will span 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Dueling Pianos with Andy Anderson and Mike Leeds on the east stage.

The Firefighter Duck Race is at 8 p.m. with a cost of $10 per duck. Sign up at the Traer Fire Fighter brat tent. Winner keeps half the pot, with the remaining money going to the fire department.

A free glow foam blaster spans 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The night wraps up with live music. Ty Toomsen and the Twang City Smokers, an Americana and roots country band, will play from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by Katy and the Honky Tonks, a four-piece original band, from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday, August 9

Brunch at the Traer Golf Course will go from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is open to the public. The North Tama Booster Club Golf Tournament starts at 10 a.m.

The Ecumenical Church Service by SaltLight will start at 10:30 a.m. in the Traer Memorial Building, refreshments to follow.

Beer tent hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday. Food vendors will include: Pork Producers, La Tarreza, dirty sodas, the fire department serving food, Claire’s Tenderloins, North Tama Preschool ice cream, North Tama Family Consumer Science concessions, plus gyros, quesadillas and barbecue. Also, the carnival will have mini donuts, snow cones, lemonade, cotton candy and popcorn. These will be available 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Harmsen said bingo will be hosted in front of the grocery store.