2008 will mark the 8^th anniversary of the All Iowa Corvette Weekend in Chariton. This will be held over Memorial weekend, May 24-26.  Participants from at least four states will compete for national points in eight to ten sanctioned events.

     Sunday and Monday, be sure to make a trip to the Chariton Municipal Airport. The All Iowa Corvette Weekend gathering starts race day at 8 am, with tech inspections of cars.  An auto-cross course will be set up on the east/west runway of the airport. Rain or shine, each participant tries to run the course as fast as possible without going off course or hitting cones, which add penalty seconds to the participants time.  The K-9 unit of Chariton will be serving breakfast and lunch both days at the airport.  The proceeds are used to support the K-9 unit of Lucas County.

     Anyone with a valid driver’s license, signed waiver agreement and car is allowed to participate in the different activities that are planned for the All Iowa Corvette Weekend. You do not have to be a member of a Corvette club to participate.  If you need information, please contact Diane Smith, Vice President of the CCI at 641-862-3348.

    The John Dale Clark Memorial Ride is scheduled for the 3rd weekend of June.  This motorcycle ride was put together to pay tribute to a good friend who died of cancer October 18, 2001.  The first ride was held in 2002 with approx. 125 motorcycles, and every year has increased in attendance.  This year's 5th ride will be on Saturday, June 14, 2008.

     The events will start with a Memorial Ride leaving the Chariton square at 12:30 pm, continue around southern Iowa on a Fun Run, and conclude with a meal, prizes and items to be raffled, Candlelight Vigil, and optional camping.  Anyone is welcome to be a part of this Memorial Ride, motorcycles or cars, or just to watch so many of John's family and friends come together to honor a friend!

 Red Bud Festival and Kids Fishing Contest

     For many years the Chariton Chamber has ordered a bevy of Red Bud trees to sell during the month of April. These days, we order at least 1000 trees to cover the demand! The trees are sold 2 for $5  and come with planting instructions, so it's easy for everyone. In mid April to early May, these trees fill many places in Lucas County with their amazing bright pink budded beauty. One place that is exceptional is Red Haw State Park, located on Hwy 34. This is a MUST SEE for anyone who enjoys taking in nature's loveliness. To celebrate our Red Bud trees in bloom, we have a Red Bud Festival (April 19th this year) on the Chariton Square.  We have kid's games and activities, including the Fletcher Train! Later that afternoon, Red Haw State Park holds its annual Kid's Free Fishing Contest. There are a limited number of fishing poles to loan out, so be sure and bring yours. The kids have many folks to help them out and they get free bait as they attempt to reel in the biggest catch of the day. After the contest, we gather at the Stone Shelter where there is a free hotdog lunch, winners are announced and door prizes are given away. Check out our webpage www.charitonchamber.com to see photos of all the Red Bud trees and all of our events!  If you have any questions about the Red Bud Festival and Kid's Free Fishing contest, please give us a call at 641-774-4059.

Holiday Festivities

          Step back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas in Lucas County.  All events take place on Chariton's historic square the Friday following Thanksgiving (November 28 for 2008). We begin at 6 p.m. with the Community Tree of Lights Ceremony to kick off the night's events, as well as a Kid’s Scavenger Hunt.  You will be delighted by the sight of live windows at many of our stores and offices around the square. The Norman and Connie Moon Memorial Lighted Float parade starts at 7 p.m. Following the parade, we will proceed to the bandstand for the crowning of Miss Merry Christmas, a tradition in Chariton for many years.  We have also added a new tradition in crowning a young man as Little Saint Nick. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arrive on a fire truck in the parade and will then join us at the bandstand to visit with all the children. It is a magical evening enjoyed by all!

         The first weekend in December will be our Home for the Holidays display, held at Carpenter Hall. This event is held every other year, switching with the popular Tour of Homes event.  Home for the Holidays will be open various hours during the whole weekend. Plan to bring your friends, family or group to view the many holiday displays put up by the many talented individuals and groups of Lucas County. Come into a warm, inviting atmosphere, where lights twinkle and music brings out the spirit of the season. Plus, there will be homemade refreshments to enjoy while you tour the displays. This event is hosted by Tourism Lucas County and proceeds go to build tourism in Lucas County.  Please contact the Chariton Chamber at 641-774-4059 with questions on any of our holiday events.

The Chariton Classic

        The Annual Chariton Classic will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008.  The Chariton Classic rolls through Lucas and Wayne counties for 60 miles.  Roads include local secondary roads, and towns visited are Russell, Millerton, Cambria, Humeston, and Derby.  Riders have the option of finishing the ride continuing on the paved secondary roads or through the Cinder Path, the State of Iowa's first bike trail on abandoned rail lines. 

        Amenities for registered riders include rolls and juice before the ride, stops at Sunny Slope Church 20 miles into the ride, 45 miles into the ride at Derby, and back to Chariton for a meal.  Southern Iowa hospitality makes the Chariton Classic unbeatable!

        Classic registration may be made before the ride by e-mail cyp@iowatelecom.net or by mailing your registration to Chariton Classic, 23145 - 530th St, Chariton, IA   50049.  Need a registration?   Let us know and we'll send as many as you need!  For more information, please go to the Connecticut Yankee Pedaller website at www.cypbikes.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

The CB&Q Freight House

        The Lucas County Arts Council (LCAC) purchased the CB&Q Freight House, located at 1115 Auburn Avenue in Chariton, in September 2000.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 2003.  The freight house was built in 1904 and was a state-of-the-art facility in its day.  All the freight coming into Chariton and southern Iowa was received by rail, unloaded into the building, checked and weighed, loaded onto trucks and delivered to its destination.  The building operated as a freight depot until the 1970s when it was abandoned by the Burlington Northern Railroad and leased to the adjacent grain elevator. Now fully restored, the CB&Q Freight House serves as an arts and cultural center. It also houses wonderful railroad memorabilia.  The facility is being used as a place for meetings, festivals, events and classes.  Available to the public for daily rental and for tours by appointment by contacting the LCAC at 641-774-2434.

 The Dual Gables House Offers a Unique Floor Plan  

        Former Chariton resident, Karen Messamer, donated the Dual Gables House, located at 705 Auburn Avenue in Chariton, to the Lucas County Arts Council (LCAC) in July 2002.  Referred to as the O.E. Payne home and built in 1889 by O.E. and Alice Payne, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  The home is significant for its unusual architecture.  Its floor plan is in the shape of a "y" and it has a 45-degree orientation to the street, both of which constitute a novel and unusual approach to the design of the cottage dwelling that was prevalent in the mid-19th century.  The house has been restored to its original condition and the surrounding grounds have been landscaped and a park-like setting established to complement the home.  The house is available to the public for daily rental, tours and overnight stays upon request by contacting the LCAC at 641-774-2434.

 Haunted Happenings In Chariton

       Get into the Halloween spirit as Chariton hosts its 4th annual Fall Kid’s Carnival.  The Kid’s carnival is a children's celebration and includes breakfast, a goody bag, rides, games and lunch on the square. Plus we have trick or treating to local businesses! Come in costume and have a great time on the train, playing ring toss or getting your face painted. It will be held Saturday, October 25. 

See the schedule of Events for Chariton's 150th Celebration. Come join us for the fun!