Two Winter Festivals Will Return to Eastern Iowa This Month

Two annual winter events are happening soon in Eastern Iowa! Beat the Bitter and Amana Winterfest will take place at the end of the month, with all sorts of fun activities for the family.

Let's start with North Liberty's Beat the Bitter. Beat the Bitter is a series of fun events that will kick off in late January and run through the end of February. Some of those events include:

• North Liberty Lights
  • Liberty Centre Pond
  • January 26th through February 29th
  • "The 2024 exhibit invites spectators to escape winter with illuminated flowers, forest animals, butterflies and more. North Liberty Lights will turn on each night in February at sundown for North Liberty residents and visitors to walk the trail and enjoy at their leisure."
• 5K-ish Glow Run
  • Liberty Centre Pond
  • January 26th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Registration includes a glow-in-the-dark participation medal, silent disco headphones, photo opportunities, and a post-race gathering at Field Day Brewing with complimentary hot chocolate
  • Registration is $10 for minors and $15 for adults
• Fire & Ice
  • Penn Meadows Park
  • January 28th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Event features fire breathing, juggling, & spinning performances, illuminated ice sculptures, horse-drawn carriage rides, fireworks, a bonfire, food trucks, and more
• Snuggie Crawl
  • Tin Roost, Field Day Brewing, Copper Boar, Micky’s, Reds Alehouse, and J&A Tap
  • February 3rd from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • "Move from location to location on your own schedule. Shuttles will be on a continuous loop between the bars from 7 p.m. until midnight, so crawl to each stop whenever you wish! Just be sure to hit them all to take advantage of the food and drink specials, games and your chance to win prizes."
  • Ages 21+
  • Tickets are $65
• Sip & Stroll
  • Liberty Centre Pond
  • February 22nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • "Taste samples of wine and beer from local manufacturers as you stroll the trail of Liberty Centre Pond for North Liberty Lights. Receive a commemorative tasting glass and enjoy complimentary sips as you explore the illuminated winter display. No registration."

The other big event coming up in Eastern Iowa at the end of January is Winterfest in the Amana Colonies! There are activities scheduled for the entire day on Saturday, January 27th. Here are some of the big ones:

• Amana Freezer 5k Run/Walk
  • Starts at Hotel Millwright at 10 a.m.
  • Registration is $25 to $30 per person
• Wine Walk
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • "Purchase a punch card at the Visitor’s Center then travel to each location for a sample.  Once you’ve completed the walk return your punch card for a great Winterfest Logo Wine Glass."
• Winterfest Games
  • Market Barn
  • 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Featuring the Great Amana Ham Put, the Wreath Toss, a Best Beard Competition, an ice sculptor, a chainsaw artist, and open-fire chili

If you're looking for some other fun places to take the family this winter in the Corridor, you can check out a list HERE!