Friday, May 1, 2 pm. The Museum of Danish America (2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn) is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for their Thomas Dambo Troll. Please join us as we celebrate and welcome this new addition to the Museum, Elk Horn, and Shelby County. more info...
Join Harlan Community Theatre for our production of "Steel Magnolias", a heart-touching show about the ups and downs of life. Follow Shelby, M'Lynn, Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, and Ouiser as they show us seasons of sacrifice, love, and laughter. Show dates are May 1, 2, and 3. For more information, visit the Harlan Community Theatre on FaceBook or Instagram. more info...
Join us for game night, 6 - 9 pm at the Elk Horn Public Library, 2027 Washington Street, Elk Horn, on the 1st Saturday of each month. Bring your favorite game and a snack to share. Or enjoy one of the games the library has to offer. more info...
Wednesday, May 6, 1:30 pm. New business in Portsmouth, Wings & Wishes, 210 Main Street, is hosting a ribbon cutting. Make sure to join us so we can welcome Sarah Reinig, the owner to everyone in Shelby County more info...
Please Join Us for a special meet & greet in honor of our new Executive Director, Paul Plumb. As we look toward a bright future for Shelby County, we invite you to enjoy an evening of networking and conversation. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Paul personally, share your ideas, and welcome him into our professional family. The reception will be held at on Wednesday, May 6, 4:30 – 6 pm at the Harlan Golf & Country Club, 2503 12th Street, Harlan.
This event will be held on Thursday, May 7, 6 - 7:30 pm at Milk & Honey, 919 7th Street, Harlan. Join ISU Penny Brown Huber for a workshop in Cottage law. Cost is $10 per participant.
SPARK! Museum of Danish America, 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn. Cultural Programming for Lifelong Learning. Programs will run from 10 - 11:30 am. more info...
This is a Elk Horn Public Library event that is held on the second Wednesday of each month, 9 - 11 am. Kimballton Town Hall, 207 N. Main Street, Kimballton.
Join local residents for Kaffee (coffee) and crafts.
Myrtue Mental Health is excited to host our 3rd annual Mental Health Action Walk for our community! Our theme this year is Connection Heals.
We will gather at Pioneer Park near the new Grandma B's Dream Playground in Harlan on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 5 to 6:30 PM. Our goal is to build connections, celebrate mental health heroes, and act to support mental health! more info...
Join us at the Elk Horn Public Library, 2027 Washington Street, Elk Horn, the last Friday of each month for a movie + book discussion. Movies are at 12:30 with book discussion following at 2 pm.
Stop by the Elk Horn Public Library, 2027 Washington Street, Elk Horn, every 3rd Saturday, 2 - 4 pm, for a quiet afternoon of reading alongside fellow booklovers. more info...
Join the Friends of the Library (Elk Horn Public Library, 2027 Washington Street, Elk Horn) on the 3rd Monday of each month for a meal at 5 pm followed by a speaker at 6pm. more info...
Roar into Harlan Car & Bike Night, the third Thursday, May through August - May 21, June 18, July 16, & August 20, 6 - 9 pm on the Historic Downtown Square in Harlan. more info...
Tivioli Fest is scheduled for Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 in Elk Horn. A short-hand schedule of some of the main events and attractions available during the festival, both Friday and Saturday is available in this post.
We want to share our partnership with Hansen House Senior Living - Harlan, IA! They will have their electric train here for rides west of the Egg Krate, and will also have two shuttles in town to bring people to the windmill, beer garden, and Museum of Danish America for $2.
Don't miss this and much more at Tivoli Fest 2026! more info...
Kayaking will be held at Prairie Rose State Park at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. We will meet on the east side of the lake/east side of County Road M47. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Anybody under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult on the water.
Summer is just around the corner, and we are thrilled to announce that the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center, 2102 9th Street, Harlan, will officially open for the season on Monday, May 25, at 1 pm. more info...
Here are the scheduled community services and programs for the area:
Harlan: Veteran's Memorial Building (1104 Morningview Drive). Doors open at 9:00 a.m. with the ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m. Services will be held at the Harlan Cemetery at 10 am. Post 941 Veterans of Foreign Wars will host this years event with help from the American Legion . Those wishing to proceed to the Harlan cemetery Memorial with the Honor Guard will meet at the west entrance. The procession of the flag will go down the center of the road. Those observing are to line up along the road keeping social distancing standards. At the Memorial site, the flag will be raised, a 21-gun salute with sound and the playing of Taps before being dismissed. The Avenue of flags will not be raised this year.
Manilla Memorial Day Services will be abbreviated this year. There will be brief services honoring deceased veterans including a prayer, gun salute and taps. Veterans at Manilla Manor will be honored at 11 am.
Serves will take place at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 10 am, the Nishnabotna Cemetery at 10:20 am and Aster Cemetery at 10:40 am.
Shelby: Shelby Cemetery service at 10:00 a.m.
Earling - Mass at 9:30 followed by military rites and coffee and rolls in Parish Hall.
Elk Horn: Service at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church (4313 Main Street) at 11:00 a.m.
Irwin: Irwin Oak Hill Cemetery service at 11:00 a.m.
Panama - Mass at 9 am followed by military rites.
Portsmouth: In Portsmouth flags will be raised Friday, May 22nd and lowered Monday, May 25th. Mass at 8:30 followed by military rites.
Westphalia: Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church (305 Duren Street), followed by a ceremony at the cemetery hosted by the American Legion.
At Rose Hill Cemetery near Kirkman, Memorial Day services will be held at 10:30 am. Suzanne Rasmussen will serve as Master of Ceremony for the program.
American Legion Post #707 Defiance and Westphalia will be celebrating Memorial Day as usual except all activities will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery at 8:30 and St. Boniface Cemetery at 10 am. And Union Township Cemetery at 2 pm.
Cancelled services in Shelby, Elk Horn, and at Jacksonville Cemetery. Bethany Lutheran Cemetery northeast of Kimballton, Danway Cemetery and Redline Cemetery: more info...
Wednesday, May 27, 9 - 10:30 am. Petersen Family Wellness Center, 1213 Chatburn Avenue, Harlan. Hosted by Myrtue Medical Center & Petersen Family Wellness Center.
From expert advice to exciting prizes, we’ve gathered everything you need under one roof. more info...
Wednesday, May 27, 11 - 5 pm. St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren Street, Westphalia. To schedule an appointment, please contact Joni at 712-579-4888. more info...
Thursday, May 28, 11 am. Elm Crest, 2104 12th Street, Harlan.
Come join us and learn about senior scams and how to protect yourself from today's most common frauds. This is a FREE EVENT! Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today by calling 712-755-5174. Lunch will be provided following the presentation. more info...
Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Event! Join the Lied Irwin Public Library, 509 Ann Street, Irwin, on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 pm for a hands-on program featuring a butter sculpting experience with the famous artist who is known for her butter cow sculptures at the Iowa State Fair.
Space is limited. Registration is required, call (712) 782-3335. All ages are welcome. Young children need adult supervision.
Saturday, May 30, 8 - 11 am. Gear up for Shelby's City-Wide Garage Sale! Register your home for only $3.00 at City Hall by Friday, May 22nd. more info...
Sunday, May 31, 2 pm. Lied Irwin Public Library, 509 Ann Street, Irwin. Bring a plant, take a plant. Swap your indoor and outdoor plants or something new.
Featuring a presentation from Loess Hills Lavender Farm. more info...
