The Fairfield Weekly Reader

11/12/2025

FAIRFIELD – After a six-year hiatus, the World FairField International Festival is back.

The event, which showcases the town’s cosmopolitan character, will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the fieldhouse east of Maharishi School. This is a change of venue from when the event was held in Central Park in 2018 and 2019, before the pandemic put a stop to it.

The festival will include country exhibits where guests can learn about that country, often staffed by people from it. Each booth will have a sticker showing the flag of its country, and children will be given “passports” so they can collect stickers from all the countries represented. Thus far, organizers have received confirmation that close to 30 countries will have their own booths, including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Moldova, Bhutan, India, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Egypt and more.

The booths are just a portion of the festival, which will also feature live music and dancing, beginning with a Native American invocation and song courtesy of Judi and Ed Fox. Also performing that day will be the Maharishi Lower School choir, a song and dance from India, Fonziba drummers, Tim Britton, a Latin dance, and the event’s featured performers at 2 p.m.: the Baraka Band with Amine Kouider, Karen Aoki, Jimmy Moore, and Eric Hurlin.

Guests won’t leave the festival on an empty stomach, either, because they will have several food vendors to choose from such as Addis Ethiopian, Scream Ice Cream, and vendors selling Indian food, pizza, and roasted chestnuts.

Organizers are still taking registrations for booths, so if you’d like to show off your country, email [email protected]. There’s even prize money for the best booths. First place will get $100, and second place (two awards) will get $75, and third place (three awards) will get $50. Booths will be judged on their creativity and originality, whether they are colorful, attractive and alluring, and how well they communicate the country’s culture.

This year’s event is made possible by four sponsors: Fairfield Cultural Alliance, Everybody’s Whole Foods, Maharishi International University and Maharishi School.

10/24/2025

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the City of Fairfield invites everyone to celebrate by stepping into a new perspective, one foot at a time. The Fairfield Walks Pedestrian Challenge, proudly sponsored by TrafFix Devices Inc. and supported by the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, encourages residents to get out of their cars and experience Fairfield from a pedestrian’s point of view.

This friendly citywide challenge isn’t just about logging steps; it’s about noticing the details of our community that often go unseen while driving — storefronts, landscaping, architecture, neighbors, and all the small things that make Fairfield unique.

How to Participate
Be a Pedestrian
Anyone who lives, works, or plays in Fairfield can join. Walk, run, or ride somewhere you’d normally drive, within the city limits (not on the trails).

Snap a Photo
Capture a photo of your pedestrian experience. It could be a selfie on your route, a streetscape, or something interesting you noticed along the way.

Post to Facebook
Share your photo publicly using the hashtags and to be entered into the challenge.

Why Walk?
The average Midwesterner spends about 45 minutes a day behind the wheel. By walking, even for part of your usual commute, you’ll foster a deeper awareness of your surroundings and help promote safer, more walkable streets for everyone.

Win Chamber Bucks!
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from TrafFix Devices Inc., participants will have the chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks each week. Three winners will be randomly selected on October 17, 24, and 31, with prizes available for pickup at Fairfield City Hall (118 S. Main St.) through November 8. (Limit one prize per household.)

Let’s Get Walking!
This October, take the Fairfield Walks Pedestrian Challenge and discover the city in a whole new way. Every step brings us closer to a safer, more connected, and pedestrian-friendly Fairfield.

10/24/2025

Fairfield’s Holiday Magic Shines Bright This Season
Free Family Fun Every Weekend Through December 20

Fairfield rolls out the red carpet of twinkling lights and festive cheer this holiday season, inviting families from near and far to experience small-town enchantment that feels straight out of a storybook.

The celebration begins November 28 at 5:30 p.m. with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in Central Park. The high school chorus fills the night with carols, the Citizens of the Year illuminate the square in a brilliant burst of lights, and Santa himself arrives in a horse-drawn wagon to open his cozy house for the season.

Everybody’s Whole Foods pours heart and generosity into Fairfield all year long. Their dedication goes far beyond wholesome groceries. They champion local farmers, support community events, and help make beloved traditions—like the Holiday Lighting Ceremony—free for families to enjoy. Fairfield shines a little brighter thanks to Everybody’s.

From that night forward, the magic keeps going every Friday and Saturday through December 20. Children are welcomed into Santa’s House, where they can share their biggest wishes and pose for a free photo with the jolly man in red. Every child receives a free book and candy cane courtesy of generous community sponsors.

The adventure continues next door at Santa’s Workshop, where kids create their very own Christmas keepsake. Thanks to the Fairfield High School SkillsUSA students, each ornament is handcrafted with care and designed to hold the child’s Santa photo. It becomes a memory they will proudly hang on the tree year after year.

Warm cocoa. Fresh cookies. Wagon rides. Sparkling lights. Laughter echoing around the square. All offered at no cost, because Fairfield believes holiday joy should belong to everyone.
Plan a trip. Bundle up. Bring the kids and the camera. Fairfield’s festive spirit is ready to welcome you with open arms and a cup of cocoa.

10/20/2025

PIANO GALA 2025

Saturday, November 15 | 7:30–9:00 PM

Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 N Main St

Enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating local musical talent. Pianists Werner Elmker, Steve Hillis, Ed Kelenyi, Katie Ward, and Geoff Shaffer—joined by flutist Karen Aoki—will perform an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, pop, patriotic, religious, and original works.

Admission is free, and donations are welcome to support the upkeep of the center’s Steinway grand piano and Barhydt pipe organ. Don’t miss this inspiring night of music and community.

10/20/2025

Piano Gala 2025

Saturday, November 15 | 7:30–9:00 PM

Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 N Main St

Enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating local musical talent. Pianists Werner Elmker, Steve Hillis, Ed Kelenyi, Katie Ward, and Geoff Shaffer—joined by flutist Karen Aoki—will perform an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, pop, patriotic, religious, and original works.

Admission is free, and donations are welcome to support the upkeep of the center’s Steinway grand piano and Barhydt pipe organ. Don’t miss this inspiring night of music and community.

10/20/2025

Maasdam Barns 20th Anniversary Celebration and Loop Trail Drive-Through
Saturday October 25 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Maasdam Barns

Whitman Woods Fall Color Drive Saturday October 25 11am-2pm

10/20/2025

https://www.fairfieldiowa.com/calendar/chamber_merchant_trick_or_treat/

Participating businesses in the Fairfield area offer candy and Halloween treats or prizes for trick-or-treaters. Make sure you check back and visit this page for an updated list of participants!

10/17/2025

INVINCIBLE Brings Michael Jackson’s Music to Life in Fairfield
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center is thrilled to present INVINCIBLE: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM. This electrifying performance celebrates the unparalleled music, choreography, and showmanship of the undisputed King of Pop.

INVINCIBLE takes audiences on a breathtaking journey through Michael Jackson’s iconic career. Featuring world-class performers, stunning choreography, and dazzling multimedia effects, this tribute show recreates the energy and spectacle of a true Michael Jackson concert experience.

Audiences will be transported by hits like Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, and Man in the Mirror, performed with incredible precision and passion. The show features top-notch vocalists, dynamic dancers, and authentic costumes that capture the magic of Jackson’s most unforgettable moments. Fans of all ages are invited to relive the magic and honor one of the most influential entertainers of all time.

Tickets are available now at fairfieldacc.com or by calling the Box Office at (641) 472-ARTS. Early reservations are strongly encouraged; the performance is expected to fill fast.

This event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners, whose contributions help bring world-class performances to our community.

Join us on November 8 for INVINCIBLE: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson, a thrilling, unforgettable night that will have you dancing in your seat and singing all the way home.

10/14/2025

Meet the Candidate Event

Join us for an exclusive opportunity to meet the local candidates, sponsored by Freeman Kevenides Law Firm!

🗓 Date: Wednesday, October 15
📍 Location: Fairfield Arts and Convention Center

⏰5:00 PM – Doors Open.
5:00–5:30 PM – Candidate Social – all candidates are invited to be present and greet attendees
5:30 PM – Program Begins
5:45–6:45 PM – Mayor Race
6:45–7:15 PM – Bond Information Presentation by Superintendent
7:30 PM – Event Concludes

This is your chance to hear the candidates speak about their vision and plans for our community. Questions will focusing on key areas of concern important to our local businesses and economy.

Note: This is not a debate or public Q&A. It’s a time for dialogue around issues relevant to our Chamber members.

We encourage all community members to attend and listen to the important conversations shaping our future.

10/09/2025

Gordon Watkins on How the Country's First National River Was Protected from CAFOs - Oct. 16 JFAN Annual Meeting

Plus Dr. Chris Jones on a progressive food and farm platform for Iowa

Imagine a state that works with a community to shut down a large CAFO then establish a permanent moratorium in a valued watershed.

Crazy pipe dream?

This actually happened in Arkansas in the Buffalo National River watershed. On Thursday, October 16 you’ll hear the whole story during the JFAN Annual Meeting STOP THE CAFOS: How the Buffalo National River Did It (And how Iowa could do better), beginning at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Registration at bit.ly/4pSGR3j

Gordon Watkins, Co-founder and President of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, will unfold the inspiring story of how the local and broader community came together to oppose C&H Hogs, a 6500-head hog factory farm permitted in 2012. C&H Hogs was built in the watershed of country’s first national river. Its 2.5 million gallons of manure per year threatened the recreational opportunities and aesthetics of this valued resource.

The community’s outreach and perseverance over a 12-year period drew a wide range of allies working to protect the scenic 135-mile Buffalo National River, a major tourist destination and economic driver in Newton County, Arkansas, where C&H Hogs was located.

Watkins will describe how this coalition came together and, through legal actions, public publicity advocacy, public education, and other means, how it pushed the Hutchinson administration to close the CAFO and enact a temporary moratorium in 2019. Its continued efforts resulted in the Sanders administration recently declaring the moratorium permanent.

And then we have Iowa. Could something like that ever happen here?

It could if water quality advocate Dr. Chris Jones had his way. Jones knows all too well how Iowa’s political system bends to the will of agribusiness to the detriment of water quality and public health. He will first provide an overview of why it’s so difficult getting the Iowa state legislators to properly regulate CAFOs and protect water quality.

But Jones recently developed a comprehensive vision for a progressive food and farm policy that could start to heal the land and better protect water quality and the health of Iowans. He’ll share this vision, providing a roadmap of how we can improve the state’s circumstances.

Coming out of a summer where Iowa’s water quality received prominent attention in the state – even nationally – Jones’s policy recommendations come at an opportune time. Could Iowans pair that vision with the kind of grit that made Arkansans’ advocacy so successful?

About Our Speakers:

Gordon Watkins has lived in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas since 1973 where he and his wife, Susan, operate an organic farm and a tourism business catering to visitors to the Buffalo National River.

In 2013, Gordon helped co-found and is current president of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance (BRWA). BRWA currently has over 3,000 supporters and over 20,000 online followers and, through legal actions, public policy advocacy, public education and other means, succeeded in permanently closing the CAFO in 2019 and, in 2025, secured a permanent moratorium prohibiting any future swine CAFO permits in the Buffalo River watershed.

BRWA continues to monitor and address other threats to the Buffalo National River.

Dr. Chris Jones is a retired research engineer from the University of Iowa and former manager of the Iowa Water Quality Information System that provides real-time monitoring and reporting of water quality data throughout the state. His former positions at the Des Moines Water Works Iowa Soybean Association gave him a bird’s eye view of how industrial agriculture impacts water quality.

Jones is the author of The Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality, writes a popular Substack column also titled “The Swine Republic.” Jones is an avid water quality advocate and speaks frequently on Iowa’s water crisis throughout the state. Follow Dr. Jones at https://riverraccoon.substack.com/

The JFAN Annual Meeting is free; a $5 free-will donation helps JFAN protect Jefferson County’s quality of life. Registration at bit.ly/4pSGR3j Learn more at jfaniowa.org

For More Information Contact:
Diane Rosenberg, Executive Director, JFAN
641-919-5219

10/09/2025

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. While pedestrian safety is important year-round, National Pedestrian Safety Month is a good time to remind drivers AND pedestrians to be alert to their surroundings. Walking and biking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community. Unfortunately, in 2024, 35 pedestrians were killed in Iowa traffic crashes. Per roadway mile, the City of Fairfield’s pedestrian crash rate has historically been higher than the Statewide average.

Everyone shares in the responsibility for road safety. The City continues to look for improvements to our built environment through Fairfield’s Walkability Assessment, Traffic and Safety TEAP studies, and Local Road Safety Plan. Grant applications have been submitted for improvements to Main Street and Burlington Avenue, and the trail crossings are currently being reviewed.

As part of National Pedestrian Safety Month, we want to remind drivers that at some point during the day, everyone is a pedestrian:

Children: Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on or around school transportation vehicles, but children waiting for the bus account for a majority of these fatalities.
Neighbors: Drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are 4 times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others. Hands-free is the law in Iowa.
Classmates and Co-workers: Speed limits aren’t a suggestion; they are the law. Speeding is a selfish choice that can have deadly consequences for drivers, passengers, and/or pedestrians.
Emergency Responders: Create a safer working environment for first responders to help ensure an injured person receives the medical care they need to survive a crash; yield to emergency vehicles, stationary or coming behind you on the roadway.

Follow the City’s page throughout October to learn additional information on pedestrian safety, participate in contests to win Fairfield Chamber bucks, and see what antics our team has planned. We’re excited to bring back Celebrity Crossing Guards each Friday Morning in October.

For more information about pedestrian safety, please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety. Questions regarding the capital improvement plans and proposed improvements to Main and Burlington may be directed to City Hall.

Sincerely,

Melanie A. Carlson, PE, LEED AP

City Engineer – Public Works Director - City of Fairfield

(o) 641-472-6193 | (f) 641-472-0698 | (c) 641-660-2924

118 S. Main St. | Fairfield, IA 52556

[email protected] | www.cityoffairfieldiowa.com

10/08/2025

https://www.southeastiowaunion.com/life/jefferson-county-extension-gears-up-for-annual-trunk-or-treat-celebration//?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shareArticleButton&utm_campaign=shareArticleButton

FAIRFIELD — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for Jefferson County is calling on local businesses and organizations to help …