Van Meter Raccoon River Days

06/13/2025

Hello Van Meter!

Huge thank you to everyone who came out last weekend to enjoy Raccoon River Days! Thankfully most of the rain stayed away on Saturday so we were able to get everything in with only one small delay from the band. Overall we feel very good about this years event, but we want to hear what you think!

In order to help us continue to make this an event for the entire community to enjoy we would like your feedback about this year's event. Even if you did not attend this year, we would like your feedback on this survey. This event is designed for everyone to attend, so to help us make that happen your feedback is key, please let us know your honest opinion. Please click on the following link for a short survey.

https://forms.gle/FhxWfurSFHsRKYgT6

If you have any questions or want to provide feedback outside of the survey, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

We are looking for public feedback on this years event to help us make next year even better. The more specific you can be the more it helps us. for example, a response of "need more things to do" does not help us. In this example a response of "I would like to see more games for kids under the age....

06/09/2025

There was an Apple watch left at the Rec Complex on over the weekend. This has been delivered to City Hall. If this is yours, please stop by City Hall during normal business hours.

Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 1pm

This is password protected, so you'll need to verify with the correct password.

06/09/2025

Winners were announced during intermission of the live music but in case you didn't hear!

Pulled Pork Winners:
First Place - Jay Cox
Second Place - Drew McCombs
Tie for 3rd Place - Mike Mohr and Ben Plank

Mac & Cheese Winners:
First Place - Brandon Murillo
Second Place - Meghan Newton
Third Place - Mike Mohr

Baked Bean Winners:
First Place - Meghan Newton
Second Place - Mike Mohr

Thank you to all who participated! If you didn't get your medal at RRD, you can stop by City Hall on Tuesday, June 10 or later to pick it up!

Apologies to Meghan for the mistake on your last name during the announcement!

Send a message to learn more

06/08/2025

Congrats to Ben & Amy on winning the annual bags tournament - again!

There were 17 teams this year! Thank to all who participated!

Maybe we will hit 20 next year??

06/03/2025

New this year! A Kickball Tournament! And the Bags Tournament is always a hit! Sign up now!

06/03/2025

RRD is almost here! Pre-registration for the parade is not required. However, there are additional details in the sign up link as it relates to staging, etc.

Join the RRD Parade! Sign Up NOW! Meet at the Van Meter United Methodist Church (located at 100 Hazel Street, Van Meter, IA 50261) at 9:45am for participants who do not want to participate in the water portion of the parade. Staging for the water participants will take place at University Kids (loca...

06/03/2025

RRD is almost here! Be sure to sign up for the Pulled Pork/Baked Beans and/or Mac&Cheese contest! Prizes awarded to the top 3 in each category!

Check out the sign-up link for more information!

As a reminder, each submission is what is used to feed the Community Meal served by Earlham Savings Bank so the more participants the better - plus it is better competition :)

Join the RRD festivities and get cookin'! There are three ways to participate this year! Judging will take place at 5:00pm at the Van Meter Rec Complex. All contestants will receive aluminum pans for their submissions. Any age may enter. One entry per person per category. You do not have to particip...

06/03/2025

The countdown is on, Raccoon River Days is this weekend!! We can't wait to see everyone! Full details of the fun-filled weekend, along with registration for the various events can be found at the following link: https://vanmeterlife.com/raccoon-river-days/
The committees have been working hard to make this event fun-filled for all ages, and our new location of the Rec Complex (located just behind Casey's) will have everything in one central location, an added bonus!!
There is something for everyone on Saturday. Whether you run in the morning, join us on the parade route, try your hand at the bags or kickball tournaments, or compete in the various cooking contests, it is a fun day for us to celebrate and support Van Meter.
Don't forget, there will be carnival games for the kids starting at 4:00pm, community meal at 5:30, and music by The Anthony Koester band in the evening. At 10:00pm, we will close out the day with our annual fireworks, always a favorite.
On Sunday, weather permitting, an all community worship service will be held at the Legion Shelter, 10:30am.
Please visit the website for the days/times of each event, parade route, and additional details. https://vanmeterlife.com/raccoon-river-days/
Can't wait to see you all!!😀😀

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05/30/2025

Don't forget to sign up for the Bags Tournament during Raccoon River Days!

Registration for the 2025 Raccoon River Days Bags Tournament on Saturday, June 7, 2024 @ 3:00pm at the Van Meter Rec Complex Soccer Fields. Cost: $20/team (Registration fees will be collected the day of the tournament) Cash prizes to be paid out upon completion of the tournament.

05/21/2025

The return of the Meat Smoking Competition was such a success last year that we thought it better be back for good!

Similar to last year, RRD will provide 2 pork butts and the pans to smoke them in! RRD will also provide the pans if you wish to participate in the Mac&Cheese and/or Baked Bean contests.

Entries will need to be delivered to the Judging Tent at Raccoon River Days between 3:30 and 4:30pm. More information will be provided via email prior to the event.

The meat, Mac&Cheese and Beans will be used to feed the community during the Community Meal served by EBank so make it good!

Pre-Entry Sign Up IS required for the meat contest only. Participation in all 3 catergories is not required.

Join the RRD festivities and get cookin'! There are three ways to participate this year! Judging will take place at 5:00pm at the Van Meter Rec Complex. All contestants will receive aluminum pans for their submissions. Any age may enter. One entry per person per category. You do not have to particip...

05/21/2025

It's almost time!

Sign up to participate in the Raccoon River Days Parade on Saturday, June 7!

Pre-registration is not required but is helpful for planning purposes. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2qI7ptCaORk5wtDB8wZ78Tmn-Sh8C7mSE2sI_cbN8OzJ7KQ/viewform

Join the RRD Parade! Sign Up NOW! Meet at the Van Meter United Methodist Church (located at 100 Hazel Street, Van Meter, IA 50261) at 9:45am for participants who do not want to participate in the water portion of the parade. Staging for the water participants will take place at University Kids (loca...

04/01/2025

Mark your calendars, Van Meter Raccoon River Days will be taking place June 7th! We are looking for volunteers to help, drop a note of your interest to [email protected] - this event is a success only with everyone's help.
More details to come, stay tuned!!!

Send a message to learn more