2015
Vintage Torque Fest
Taste of Dubuque
May 1–2 @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Aug. 6 @ Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Galena Maifest:
Every Beer Helps a Pet
Rock-N-Roll Rewind
Aug. 7–8 @ Mississippi Moon Bar
May 2 @ Galena Brewing Company
DubuqueFest
Fine Arts Festival
May 15–17 @ Washington Park & Town Clock Plaza
Dubuque365 Lunchtime Jam
Fridays: May 15–Sept. 4 @ Town Clock Plaza
True Music Kickoff to Summer
May 22 @ Town Clock Plaza
Blueberry Music Festival
May 24–25 @ Sandy Hook Tavern
Bike Nights
Last Friday of each month: May 29–August 28
@ Dubuque Harley Davidson
Sandy Hook Bike Nights
Various Fridays: May 29–Sept. 25
@ Sandy Hook Tavern
Relay For Life
June 6 @ Port of Dubuque
Music in the Gardens
Sundays: June 7–Aug. 30 @ Dubuque Arboretum
Great Galena Balloon Race,
Ale Fest & Wine Flights
June 19–21 @ Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Dubuque… and All That Jazz!
June 19, July 17, Aug 21, Sept 4 @ Town Clock Plaza
Corkless in Galena
Wine Festival
Aug. 14 @ Town Clock Plaza
Fishtival
Aug. 15 @ Bellevue
Grant County Fair
East Dubuque Independence Day
Celebration
11th Annual IRISH HOOLEY
Independence Bluegrass with
Finders and Youngberg
Potosi Brewfest
June 27 @ Sinsinawa Ave, East DBQ
July 2 @ Schmid Innovation Center Courtyard
Dubuque Jaycees / Radio
Dubuque Fireworks on the River
July 3 @ A.Y. McDonald Park
Bellevue Heritage Days
July 3–4 @ Bellevue
Ice Cream Social
Downtown Friday Night
Galena Independence Day
Parade and Fireworks
Rockin’ on the River
Summerfest Dubuque
Aug. 16–23 @ Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster
July 4 @ Mathias Ham House
June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 @ Dyersville
Aug. 8 @ Sinsinawa Ave, East DBQ
June 27 @ Galena Depot Park
America’s River Festival
June 12–13 @ Port of Dubuque
East Dubuque Wingfest
July 4 @ Downtown Galena
Colts Music on the March
Aug. 20 @ Mississippi Moon Bar
Aug. 21–22 @ Alliant Amphitheater
Aug. 22 @ Holiday Gardens Center, Potosi
Summer’s Last Blast
Aug. 28–29 @ Town Clock Plaza
Galena Food & Wine Festival
Sept. 11 @ Galena Convention Center
Voices from the Warehouse
District XI—Opening Night
Sept. 12 @ Voices Gallery
Dubuque’s Oktoberfest &
Color Vibe 5K
Sept. 19 @ A.Y. McDonald Park
Rotary Ride n Roll
for the Vets
June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 20
@ Cascade Riverview Amphitheater
July 7 @ Senior High School, Dalzell Field
Sept. 26 @ Ice Harbor, Port of Dubuque
Music in Jackson Park
Asbury Music in the Park
July 11 @ Asbury Park
Dubuque Area Baconfest
Great Jones County Fair
Tri-States’ Largest
Chili Cook-Off
June 14, July 12, Aug. 9 @ Jackson Park
ARC Corporate &
Community Games
June 18 @ Port of Dubuque
Jackson County Pro Rodeo
June 18–20 @ Bellevue Horsemen’s Club
July 22–26 @ Great Jones County Fair, Monticello
Dubuque County Fair
July 28–Aug. 2 @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Oct. 1 @ Grand River Center
Oct. 3 @ Cable Car Square
Galena Oktoberfest
Oct. 3 @ Galena Eastside Riverfront
2015 DUBUQUELAND
FESTIVAL CALENDAR
Vintage Torque Fest
May 1–2 @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
VintageTorqueFest.com
A celebration of original hot rod culture, Vintage Torque
Fest features customs from the golden age (pre-1965)
as well as pre-1975 motorcycles, choppers, and bobbers.
Some of the cars even take a turn on the dirt track! Live
rockabilly and punk serve as the backdrop for the show,
which includes “kustom kulture” artwork, a vintage parts
swap meet, a model-building contest for kids and a
vintage pinup contest.
Galena Maifest:
Every Beer Helps a Pet
May 2 @ Galena Brewing Company
Galena Brewing Company hosts the fifth annual Galena
Maifest, tapping seasonal brews and celebrating our
furry friends. The Safe Haven Pet Adoption Fair will be
held noon in front of the brewery, with live music by The
Old 57s at 8 PM. The event is a fun fundraiser for the Jo
Daviess County Safe Haven No Kill Animal Shelter.
DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival
May 15–17 @ Washington Park & Town Clock Plaza
DubuqueFest.org
The longest running fine arts festival in Iowa, DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival celebrates its 38th year in 2015.
The free all arts festival, brought to you by the Dubuque
County Fine Arts Society, features an Art Fair in Washington Park, live entertainment at the Town Clock and
Gazebo, a reading and release by Writers Guild, handson art for all ages, and much more. This year the Friday
night concert series features singer/songwriter Brooks
Strause, with Jack Lion and Bonesetters. Headlining
Saturday’s long list of all day entertainment is Athens,
GA trio The Whigs, with Chicago trio The Mutts.
Dubuque365 Lunchtime Jam
Fridays: May 15–Sept. 4 @ Town Clock Plaza
Hosted by your own 365 crew and local sponsor
Prudential, Lunchtime Jams feature laidback lunchtime
performances by local acoustic musicians in shady Town
Clock Plaza every Friday around lunchtime (weather
permitting).
True Music Kickoff to Summer
May 22 @ Town Clock Plaza
Sponsored by Budweiser, the Diamond Jo Casino and
the Buzz Entertainment Group, Kickoff to Summer brings
more party rock than the Town Clock stage will see all
summer (or at least until Summer’s Last Blast!). Always
on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend (kicking off the
weekend that kicks off summer, get it?) this year’s party
starts with Lexi Parr and the Ruby Blonde Band followed
by Misbehavin’ and finally, Midwest party rock favorites,
the LoveMonkeys. Kickoff to Summer benefits The Boy
Scouts, Camp Albrecht Acres and Sertoma.
Blueberry Music Festival
May 24–25 @ Sandy Hook Tavern
The Sandy Hook hosts a party to keep the Memorial Day
Weekend going with live music from Denny Garcia, Missbehavin’, Ruby Blonde, Pistol Pete with Laura McDonald,
and Mighty Wheelhouse on Sunday; and then The Family
Business, and The Brews Brothers on Monday. Admission
is just $10 for both days.
2015 DUBUQUELAND
FESTIVAL CALENDAR
Bike Nights
Last Friday of each month: May 25–Aug. 28
@ Dubuque Harley Davidson
Bike nights are held at the Dubuque Harley Davidson
dealership at 145 N. Crescent Ridge Rd. on Dubuque on
the last Friday of every month, May–August. The outdoor
parties features grilled grub from the Mighty Mississippi
H.O.G. Chapter for an at will donation to Bikers In Need
and there plenty of cold beer. Oh yeah, and music! May
29 features the BackRoads band, June 26 is Project X,
July 31 brings Six Shots ’Til Midnight and August 28th
wraps up with Renegade.
Sandy Hook Bike Nights
Various Fridays: May 29–Sept. 25 @ Sandy Hook Tavern
The Sandy Hook Tavern, always a great destination for
a ride, hosts Bike Nights on select Fridays through the
summer. Starting Friday, May 29, Bike Nights will feature
live music and a variety of other events like steak feeds,
bike Olympics, cruises, and Dating Games each scheduled Friday, with proceeds going to local charities. Check
upcoming issues of 365ink for dates, bands, special
events, and featured charities.
Relay For Life
June 6 @ Port of Dubuque
RelayForLife.org/DubuqueIA
This fun-filled event moves to a Saturday afternoon in
2015, celebrating survivorship and raising money for
research and programs for the American Cancer Society.
The event starts with an Opening Ceremony at noon,
with a Caregivers Lap at 6 PM, a Survivors Lap at 6:30
PM, then after dark, a Luminaria Ceremony, and finally a
Closing Ceremony at 11 PM to remember those lost and
celebrate those committed to save lives by taking up the
fight against cancer.
Music in the Gardens
Sundays: June 7–Aug. 30 @ Dubuque Arboretum
Music in the Gardens, a free summer concert series offers
a wide variety of family-friendly music in the beautiful
surroundings of Dubuque’s Arboretum. The free concert
series begins at 6:30 PM and is sponsored by a variety
of area businesses and organizations including the
Dubuque Arts Council who hosts the June 14–July 26
performances. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and your
own picnic and refreshments!
June 7: Jim Busta Band (Polka)
June 14: Denny Diamond & The Family Jewels
June 21: Hunter Fuerste’s American
Vintage Orchestra (Swing)
June 28: Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
July 5: Madison Brass Band
July 12: Coupe DeVille
July 19: Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
July 26: Kids from Wisconsin
Aug. 2: Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz
Aug. 9: Johnson Strings (Instrumental)
Aug. 16: Ridge Rangers (Bluegrass)
Aug. 23: Derty Rice (Zydeco)
Aug. 30: Ralph Kluseman (Beatles Tribute)
America’s River Festival
Dan + Shay with Sam Hunt, Old Dominion
Tommy James & The Shondells with America, Grand
Funk Railroad
June 12–13 @ Port of Dubuque
AmericasRiverFestival.com
Dubuque’s hottest place to be returns with loads of live
music, food and fun. Performers include rising country
music stars Dan + Shay with special guests Sam Hunt
and Old Dominion on Friday, with a classic rock showcase on Saturday featuring Tommy James & The Shondells with America, and Grand Funk Railroad. America’s
River Fest 2015 adds a Saturday afternoon Brewfest,
giving craft beer lovers an opportunity to taste brews
from a range of local and regional brewers.
Downtown Friday Night
June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 @ Dyersville
563-875-2311
Not miss out on the fun, Dyersville hosts its own summer festival series, Downtown Friday Night. Besides
live music, the event includes food, games for kids, and
water ball fights hosted by the Fire Department. Best of
all, it’s free!
June 12: Hard Salami
July 10: Ziegfried Underground
Aug. 14: 3 Drink Minimum
Dubuque Jaycees / Radio Dubuque
Fireworks on the River
July 3 @ A.Y. McDonald Park
DubuqueAirShowAndFireworks.com
Only the biggest and best fireworks display for miles
around! Located in the Hawthorne Street area by McDonald Park, get there early for the best spots and bring
some beverages ‘cause you’re gonna be there awhile.
Bellevue Heritage Days
July 3–4 @ Bellevue
BellevueIA.com
Bellevue celebrates the Independence Day holiday with
Heritage Days, two days of family-friendly activities
including carnival rides, a Queen Contest, dance, parade,
petting zoo, a show by Ski Bellevue, vintage tractor, car
and motorcycle displays, and fireworks.
Music in Jackson Park
July 4 @ Mathias Ham House
RiverMuseum.com
The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the
Dubuque County Historical Society celebrates Independence Day in good ol’ fashioned style at the historic Ham
House at the corner of Shiras and Lincoln Avenue, just
below Eagle Point Park. The afternoon event features music, food, tours of the mansion and historic kids games.
Galena Independence Day Parade
and Fireworks
July 4 @ Downtown Galena
KiwanisClubOfGalena.org | 815-238-4538
Annual community parade featuring floats, bands,
marchers and more. After the parade enjoy live music at
the Green St. Plaza until the fireworks begin. Food and
beverages will be available for purchase.
June 14, July 12, Aug 9 @ Jackson Park
The free evening concerts in Jackson Park are held from
6–8 PM, celebrating the diversity of one of downtown
Dubuque’s neighborhoods. The family-friendly events,
sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association,
the Multicultural Family Center, and City of Dubuque
feature a different style of music for each concert and
free food! August 9 will feature Group Therapy.
Colts Music on the March
ARC Corporate & Community Games
July 11 @ Asbury Park
The Asbury Area Civic and Recreation Foundation annually hosts Music in the Park from noon to midnight. This
is a free family event with a variety of music, entertainment, food, children’s games and family activities followed by free live music from 6 PM to midnight. Shuttle
service will be available throughout the City of Asbury as
well as several outlying areas.
June 18 @ Port of Dubuque
arearesidentialcare.org
Get your team of 8–10 players together to play some
silly games with a serious mission. The games are a
series of competitive contests between corporate and
organizationally sponsored teams where intense battles
of skill meet ridiculous feats of, well, ridiculousness. It’s
a huge event with many teams. Let 2015 be the year
your team competes for a great cause, empowering
individuals with intellectual disabilities to achieve their
highest quality of life.
Jackson County Pro Rodeo
June 18–20 @ Bellevue Horsemen’s Club
BellevueRodeo.com
Horse and bull riding, barrel racing, plus kids games,
food, music, mechanical bull and more!
Great Galena Balloon Race, Ale
Fest & Wine Flights
June 19–21 @ Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
GreatGalenaBalloonRace.com
Don’t miss this spectacular three-day event. Over 20 hot
air balloons, three races, two night glows, tethered rides,
a car show, live music, activities for the whole family, and
a Friday night Alefest which features over 100 of the finest craft beer styles. On Saturday night, partake in Wine
Flights featuring nearly 100 wines.
Dubuque… and All That Jazz!
June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 4 @ Town Clock Plaza
DubuqueMainStreet.com
The big daddy of Town Clock festivals, Dubuque...and
All That Jazz! features some of the best bands in the
Midwest, a wide variety of foods, cold beverages served
up by the Dubuque Jaycees and a few thousand of your
closest friends with which to enjoy it all. The June edition
features Chicago funk and R&B band The Business, a
longtime All That Jazz favorite.
June 19: The Business (funk and R&B)
July 17: The Jimmys
Aug. 21: 10 of Soul (soul and funk)
Sept. 4: The Lonely Goats (zydeco)
Corkless in Galena Wine Festival
June 27 @ Galena Depot Park
The Northern Illinois Wine Growers (NIWG) host the
Corkless in Galena Wine Festival in Galena’s picturesque
Depot Park. A celebration of area winemaking, especially
those made with locally-grown American hybrid grapes,
Corkless raises funds for further research in the NIWG
Research Vineyard and supports local nonprofits like the
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation.
East Dubuque Independence Day
Celebration
June 27 @ Sinsinawa Ave., East Dubuque
Bring your family and enjoy an evening full of music,
inflatables, food and children’s games along with a
fireworks display.
Independence Bluegrass with
Finders and Youngberg
July 2 @ Schmid Innovation Center Courtyard
(Caradco Warehouse)
Dupaco Community Credit Union once again presents
renowned bluegrass masters Finders & Youngberg from
Colorado, featuring former tri-state music favorite Mike
Finders, to the friendly confines of the courtyard at the
Schmid Innovation Center at the Caradco Warehouse
just in time for the Independence Holiday. Hosted by
your friends at 365ink Magazine as a fundraiser supporting Marine Toys For Tots, the evening of music also
features the Driftless Sisters beginning at 6:30 PM and,
of course, a great wine tasting by the most decorated
wine makers in the area, Dubuque Heritage Winery.
Tickets are just $10 and include the tasting. Rain site
will be inside Inspire Café.
Gaelic Storm with The High Kings, We Banjo 3,
and The Screaming Orphans
Aug. 20 @ Mississippi Moon Bar
Aug. 21–22 @ Alliant Amphitheater
IrishHooley.org | 563-583-5000
The Irish Hooley enters its second decade with another
expansion. Moving last year’s “Hooley Unplugged” at
the Mississippi Moon Bar to Thursday night, the Hooley
celebrates both Friday and Saturday at the Alliant Amphitheater at Star Brewery with two full evenings of Irish
and Celtic music and culture.
Ice Cream Social
Rockin’ on the River
June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 20
@ Cascade Riverview Amphitheater
Enjoy great music from 6–11 PM (Sept. 20 at noon) at
Rockin’ on the River. All music events will have food vendors. Don’t forget to bring your cooler and lawn chairs!
June 12: The Creepin’ Charlies with the Cosmobilly Band
July 10: Old 57s with Nutsy & Lori
Aug. 14: Blue Mississippi with Mississippi String Band,
Cade Wessels
Sept. 20: Jen & John from 8 Seconds
11th Annual IRISH HOOLEY
July 7 @ Senior High School, Dalzell Field
Colts.org | 563-582-4872
The Colts’ show has been a highlight on Dubuque’s summer calendar since 1963. Seven groups are scheduled to
compete in this Drum Corps International summer tour
event. Tickets are on sale now at colts.org.
Asbury Music in the Park
Great Jones County Fair
Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Newsboys
July 22–26 @ Great Jones County Fair, Monticello
GreatJonesCountyFair.com
The Great Jones County Fair has long been know for
booking great entertainment, and this year is no different with a mostly country lineup that includes Toby Keith
with Waterloo Revival on Thursday, Eric Church with
Charlie Worsham on Friday, and Tim McGraw with Chasin’ Crazy on Saturday. Christian rock fans will not want
to miss Newsboys with Matthwe West on Sunday.
Dubuque County Fair
Jason Derulo, Everclear, Fuel, Toadies, American Hi-Fi
July 28–Aug. 2 @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
DBQFair.com
The 62nd annual Dubuque County Fair is a celebration
for all of Dubuque County, with carnival rides, concerts, stock car races, a tractor pull, a demolition derby,
animals, displays, loads of food and fun for everyone—so
much it takes nearly a week to fit it all in. The Fair’s
Friday night concert will feature the Summerland Tour
with ‘90s rock hitmakers Everclear, Fuel, Toadies, and
American Hi-Fi with Saturday’s concert featuring hip-hop
star Jason Derulo.
Potosi Brewfest
Aug. 22 @ Holiday Gardens Center, Potosi
Potosi Brewery hosts the seventh annual Potosi Brewfest
at the Holiday Gardens Event Center in Potosi, Wisconsin. Admission to the festival includes an opportunity
to sample the work of 35 craft brewers, home brewers,
wineries, and Wisconsin cheeses, plus live music, a tour
of the National Brewery Museum and a commemorative
tasting glass.
Summer’s Last Blast
Aug. 28–29 @ Town Clock Plaza
Sponsored by Budweiser, the Diamond Jo Casino and
the Buzz Entertainment Group, Summer’s Last Blast is
all that and more spread across two big days under the
Town Clock from 5 PM–midnight. Friday night welcomes
great touring acts including Back Roads Band, Electric
Shock the AC/DC tribute and Pop Rocks. Saturday
night celebrates the best of hometown rock with Zero 2
Sixty, Menace, Johnny Trash and then the always-loved
Spazmatics roll into town. This is a free all-ages event
supporting multiple local charities.
Galena Food & Wine Festival
Sept. 11 @ Galena Convention Center
GalenaFoodAndWineFestival.com
A culinary dream featuring the talents of Galena area
restaurants as well as a wine tasting showcasing more
than 200 varieties of wines, plus beer and spirits.
Voices from the Warehouse
District XI—Opening Night
Sept. 12 @ Voices Gallery
VoicesGallery.org
Voices is a month-long art exhibit and cultural event
located in Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District. Voices
began as a way for the artist’s voice to be heard, and
quickly gathered support from the Dubuque community.
Now in its eleventh year, the opening reception features
work from local, regional and national artists along with
musical performances. Opening night starts at 7 PM.
Dubuque’s Oktoberfest &
Color Vibe 5K
Sept. 19 @ A.Y. McDonald Park
The good Germans of Dubuque host Oktoberfest under
the huge “Festspiele Zelt” (festival tent) at a new location for 2015, in A.Y. McDonald Park by the Mississippi
River. The day’s activities kick off at 10 AM with the
Color Vibe 5K run. The festivities themselves get started
at 11 AM. Oktoberfest features a Beer Tasting with 25
breweries from 3:30–6:30 PM, MassKrugStemmen (Beir
Stein Holding Contest), HammerSchlagen, Plunger Toss
and Tug of War. Entertainment includes the Guttenberg
German Band, the Americana Polka Band, the University of Dubuque Band, and University of Northern Iowa
International Dance Theatre. Proceeds benefit Camp
Albrecht Acres.
Rotary Ride n Roll for the Vets
Aug. 6 @ Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
RiverMuseum.com
Enjoy mouth-watering food favorites plus live music on
two stages, cold beer, entertainment, kids games, and
more from 3–11 PM. Admission is free.
Sept. 26 @ Ice Harbor, Port of Dubuque
The Cruise in Car and Motorcycle Show kicks off at 11
AM with a flag ceremony at the Veterans Memorials
site before the party starts at the port of Dubuque. A
motorcycle ride sponsored by the Midnight Riders Motorcycle club is just $10. Also enjoy military displays and
live musical entertainment throughout the event. Plus,
a backyard BBQ contest… YUM! This free event, hosted
by the Dubuque Rotary Club, benefits the Veterans
Freedom Center.
Rock-N-Roll Rewind
Dubuque Area Baconfest
Taste of Dubuque
Aug. 7–8 @ Mississippi Moon Bar
Facebook.com/RockNRollRewind
Rock-n-Roll Rewind 2015 returns with two days of classic
bands from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s in the Tri-State area.
East Dubuque Wingfest
Aug. 8 @ Sinsinawa Ave, East DBQ
Sponsored by the East Dubuque Business & Tourism
right on Sinsinawa Avenue, Wingfest features delicious
chicken wings in nearly every variety imaginable, plus
cold beer, live music, kids games and more. Wingfest
starts at 11 AM and goes through 9 PM
Summerfest Dubuque
Aug. 14 @ Town Clock Plaza
dalmc.com
A fundraiser for the Dubuque Area Labor-Management
Council’s Education to Employment Grant Program,
Summerfest is a free festival at the Town Clock featuring
live music, food, and family fun all starting at 5 PM.
Fishtival
Aug. 15 @ Bellevue
[email protected]
Bellevue celebrates art, fish, and the Mississippi River on
August 16 with arts and activities for everyone including
art exhibits, hands-on arts projects for kids, a show by
Ski Bellevue, live music, craft beer, and a fish boil.
Grant County Fair
Aug. 16–23 @ Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster
GrantCountyFairWI.org
Grant County Fair featuring 4-H, FFA and youth projects,
carnival rides, demolition derby and other entertainment.
Oct. 1 @ Grand River Center
DBQBacon.com
Prepare yourself for an evening of tasty bacon dishes
from local restaurants, grocery stores, BBQ pits and caterers. Dubuque Area Baconfest is a fundraiser for Area
Residential Care. This year it will be held at the Grand
River Center with VIP ticket admission from 5–6 PM and
GA from 6–9 PM.
Tri-States’ Largest Chili Cook-Off
Oct. 3 @ Cable Car Square
The Tri-States’ Largest Chili Cook-Off transforms historic
Cable Car Square on Dubuque’s Bluff Street into an
aromatic chili tasting and competition. With live music
and beer, Cook-Off also features a variety of kids games,
food and entertainment at this family-friendly event.
Galena Oktoberfest
Oct. 3 @ Galena Eastside Riverfront
GalenaLions.org/Galena-Oktoberfest.asp
Annual German celebration featuring non-stop live
music, wiener dog races, polka dancing and lessons,
German-style food and beverage, bounce-house and
games for the kids, and much more. Adults and teens are
$5. Kids are free.