American Legion Catfish & Ham Dinners

Join the American Legion for a delicious Friday Fish Fry!  Choose catfish or ham, along with cheesy potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, a roll and dessert.  $12 for eat-in or carry-out, $13 for delivery.  Dinners are available the second Friday of each month January through March.  The American Legion hall is adjacent to the Montezuma Memorial Hall on Main Street.  For deliveries call, 641-780-3869, 641-990-1816 or 515-979-2705.

Diamond Lake Ice Fishing Derby

The Diamond Lake Ice Fishing Derby is held the last Saturday of every January at 9 a.m., ice conditions permitting.  The event is sponsored by the Poweshiek County Conservation Board and the Izaak Walton League.  Event registration is held at the Foster Center at the park, with a $5 fee for adults.  Free for children 15 and younger.  Warm refreshments are provided, as well as prizes awarded at the weigh-in.  Contact the Poweshiek County Conservation office for details, 641-623-3191. WEBSITE

Fireman’s Sweetheart Breakfast

The Montezuma Fire Department hosts the annual Fireman’s Sweetheart Breakfast at the Fire Station the Sunday closest to Valentines Day.  Volunteer firefighters serve up pancakes, eggs, sausage and beverages for a suggested donation.  Donations collected go towards the purchase of emergency equipment and on-going training for volunteer department staff. 

Montezuma Business Expo

Montezuma’s Annual Business Expo has been proclaimed as the best expo in Poweshiek County.  Held every March at the Montezuma High School, the Expo is a local showcase for area businesses, home businesses, industry, and local organizations.  The event is coordinated by the Montezuma Community Boosters.  Event registration opens each February.  $45 table hosting fees support the Boosters organization and continued special events in the community throughout the year.  Contact Jo Ahrens, Boosters President, for details at 641-623-5640. 

Jackson Church Pinecar Derby

The Pinecar Derby is held every April at the Montezuma Community School.  The derby attracts over 100 racers of all ages who vie for trophies, prizes and good-spirited fun.  Early registration and practice runs for the race are encouraged.  The event is sponsored by the Jackson Church of Christ.  For more information, contact Marvin Ferneau, 641-623-3166.

Community Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day Observances are held each Memorial Day at the Masonic and Odd Fellows IOOF Cemetery, near the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma.  The service begins at 10 a.m. and is coordinated by members of the Blakely Stevens American Legion Post 169, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8876, and accompanying ladies’ auxiliaries.  An avenue of American flags fly throughout the community during the Memorial Day Observance.

Lake Ponderosa Pancake Breakfast

The Lake Ponderosa Association invites the public to attend their annual Pancake Breakfast held each May.  The LPA serves pancakes, sausage and beverages for a donation.  The breakfast is held at the Association Building, 175 West Woodland, Montezuma, Iowa 50171. WEBSITE

Booster Bash

Catch live music, food vendors, local shopping, fun for kids, a car show and more the fouth Thursday of June, July, and August on the Poweshiek County Courthouse square.

Summer Nights on the Square

Summer Nights is family held once a month on the Poweshiek County Courthouse square beginning in June and continuing through September.  The free event offers lawn games, entertainment, food and great people watching.  An antique car show also accompanies the event, drawing vintage automobiles, motorcycles and street rods from throughout the state. 

Let Freedom Ring Celebration

Montezuma’s July 4th Celebration, Let Freedom Ring, is held the Saturday closest to July 4th each year.  Downtown events include sidewalk sales, an open air market, food vendors, Lions Club barbeque and tractor show, two parades, amusements and live entertainment.  The downtown event is sponsored by the Montezuma Community Boosters.  Fireworks sponsored by the Lake Ponderosa Association begin at dusk over the lake which is 4 miles west of Montezuma.  The Montezuma Ministerial Association sponsors a community church service the following day.  

All-Iowa Writers Conference

Montezuma hosts the All-Iowa Writers Conference each year in September.  The event is sponsored by Our Front Porch Books of Montezuma.  Attendees participate in workshops that highlight keys to writing, tips for publishing and book promotion, and writing critiques from visiting guest authors.  A fiction writing contest and meet-n-greet luncheon are also part of the annual event. WEBSITE

Community Thanksgiving Service

The Montezuma Ministerial Association sponsors a Community Thanksgiving Service each year the week before Thanksgiving.  Area churches share in hosting the service and providing music, with local ministers presenting the Thanksgiving sermon. 

Hometown Holiday Event

Hometown Holiday is held the first Saturday of each December and is sponsored by the Montezuma Community Boosters.  Breakfast with Santa kicks off the event, with a cookie walk, special story time at the library and other activities to follow.  The day culminates with Downtown Montezuma Mingle & Jingle, featuring activities for families, local entertainment and Tree Lighting on the downtown square.