Amana Colonies Winterfest returns Jan. 24

AMANA — Winter in Iowa comes alive in the Amana Colonies on Saturday, Jan. 24, as the community hosts the 22nd annual Amana Colonies Winterfest, a beloved celebration filled with outdoor games, live music, family-friendly activities, local flavors and seasonal cheer throughout the villages of Amana.

The day begins Saturday morning with the Amana Freezer 5K Run/Walk starting at 10 a.m. from Hotel Millwright’s Carding Studio and running to East Amana and back. Race-day sign-ups take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy free admission to the Amana Heritage Museum during the Winterfest Free Admission & Author Event. Guests can explore the museum, enjoy book signings, and attend a special author talk and Q&A beginning at 1 p.m. featuring local authors R.C. Eichacker, author of “Marriage by Committee: Marriage Customs of Early Amana,” and Melinda Wichman, author of “How to Live with a Ghost.” Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Also beginning at 10 a.m., adults ages 21 and over can participate in the popular Amana Colonies Winterfest Wine & Beer Walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. sampling beverages at Ackerman Winery, Fireside in the Village, Millstream Brewing Co., Village Winery, and White Cross Cellars. Participants can pick up their $5 Wine & Beer Walk Passport at any participating business, collect stamps at each stop, and return completed passports to the Amana Visitors Center by 5 p.m. to receive a commemorative Winterfest wine glass (limited to the first 275 participants) and be entered to win one of five $25 gift certificates.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the Market Barn becomes the heart of Winterfest activity. The Amana Fire Department will serve open-fire chili, hot chocolate and cider while supplies last, with proceeds benefiting the department. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests can take part in classic Winterfest favorites, including the Great Amana Ham-Put and the Wreath Toss. Winners will be announced following the Beard Contest.

From noon to 2 p.m., teams of two can compete — or participate for fun — in the Log Sawing Competition hosted by Amana Forestry using an old-fashioned cross-cut saw. First-place plaques will be awarded in the Co-ed, Women and Men categories. Throughout the afternoon, visitors can also watch chainsaw artist Bobby Ward in action during the Colony Carvers demonstration and take home a one-of-a-kind carved piece.

A longtime crowd favorite, the Beard Contest concludes the Market Barn festivities at 2 p.m., with competitors vying for prizes in categories including Fullest Beard, Most Unique Beard and Best Overall Beard. Sign-ups take place prior to the contest at the Market Barn.

Throughout the day, families can enjoy hands-on activities across the villages beginning at 10 a.m., including a Paper Snowflake Craft Station at the Amana Furniture Shop and a Snowflake Scavenger Hunt and movie day at Ackerman Winery. Kid-focused activities at the Ox Yoke Inn begin at 11 a.m. and include Decorate a Yokey Bear Cookie, a Children’s Coloring Contest, and Kinder Gift Bags with children’s menu purchases.

Millstream Brewing Co. will host Amana Colonies Winterfest activities throughout the day and into the evening. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., guests can warm up in Iowa’s Original Craft Brewery while savoring a specially handcrafted Winterfest brew. From noon to 4 p.m., visitors are invited to gather around a warm fire in the Millstream Brewing Co. Biergarten, enjoying marshmallow roasting and “poking” their Winterfest brew for a delicious caramel flavor. From 6 to 9 p.m., guests can wrap up their Winterfest celebration with live music by Joel Berger, whose classic acoustic sound and soulful vocals will fill the taproom.

Live music also continues at the Ox Yoke Inn Bierstube Cellar Bar from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Jeff Weimer and David Arnold Duo.

On Saturday, visitors can also warm up while shopping and exploring additional promotions, including hot cider and local beard care samples at Warped & Woven Mill Mercantile, winter drink and snack specials at Ackerman Winery, and a coffee special at the Ox Yoke Inn.

For more information, visit amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/winterfest/ or contact the Amana Colonies Visitor Center at info@amanacolonies.com or 319-622-7622. Follow Amana Colonies Festivals on Facebook for updates and event announcements.