Van Meter Life

06/05/2026

Whether you’re taking a break from the festivities or looking for a delicious lunch after the parade, 5th Quarter Bar & Grill has you covered!

06/04/2026

🏴‍☠️ Ahoy, Van Meter! Calling all little pirates and adventurers! 🏴‍☠️

Do you have a future captain, treasure hunter, or pirate princess at home? Then they won't want to miss the Little Mr. & Miss Van Meter Contest at Raccoon River Days!

⚓ Open to children ages 4-6 who attend Van Meter School or have a Van Meter address.
🦜 This year's theme: Pirates of the Caribbean
👑 Show off your pirate style, answer fun questions, and hit the stage for a dance contest!
🎉 Bonus: Participants can ride in the parade before the contest!

📅 June 6th at 4:00 PM
📍 Raccoon River Days Main Stage

Dust off those eye patches, pirate hats, parrots, and treasure maps—it's time to set sail for an afternoon full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories!

☠️ Don't miss your chance to shine and join the adventure! Register today by emailing [email protected].

06/02/2026

🎡🎉 The Raccoon River Days Carnival is Almost Here! 🎉🎡

Get ready for an evening packed with laughs, and nonstop fun for ALL ages from 4:30–9:00 PM!

🏰 Bounce house
🛝 Giant inflatable slide
☢️ Toxic Meltdown challenge
🏃 Obstacle course
🧗 Climbing opportunities and more!

We're excited to welcome the National Guard, who will be bringing a rock wall for climbers looking to reach new heights, and the U.S. Marines, who will be on-site with pull-up bars, challenges, giveaways, and swag!

Whether you're chasing your kids through the inflatables, testing your skills on the Meltdown, conquering the rock wall, or just enjoying the atmosphere, there's something for everyone.

Grab your family, round up your friends, and come make memories at one of the biggest nights of Raccoon River Days!

🎟️ Fun for all ages.
⏰ 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
🎉 See you at the Carnival! 💙💛❤️🇺🇸💪

06/02/2026

🫧 Foam stations are BACK!

Yes… you WILL get foamy.
Yes… it WILL be fun.
Yes… your kids will ask to do it again next year 😎

🏃‍♀️ Walker? Jogger? Runner?

ALL are welcome at the VM 5K.

This event is about:
✔️ movement
✔️ community
✔️ fun
✔️ showing up

📅 Saturday, June 6th, 2026
⏰ Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
📍 Van Meter Recreation Complex – Van Meter, Iowa

💲 Registration Pricing:
• $35 through May 31
• $38 starting June 1
• $40 Race Day
• 1 Mile Fun Run ALWAYS $10

👉 Sign up today:
https://5kevents.raceentry.com/park2park-5k-fun-run/race-information #

Come participate Park2Park 5k Foam Fun Walk/Run on June 06 with me.

06/01/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families LOVE the 1 Mile Fun Run!

ONLY $10 💥

Perfect for:
✔️ Kids
✔️ Parents
✔️ Grandparents
✔️ First-time racers

Make it a summer tradition 💙

📅 Saturday, June 6th, 2026
⏰ Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
📍 Van Meter Recreation Complex – Van Meter, Iowa

💲 Registration Pricing:
• $35 through May 31
• $38 starting June 1
• $40 Race Day
• 1 Mile Fun Run ALWAYS $10

👉 Register here:
https://5kevents.raceentry.com/park2park-5k-fun-run/race-information #

06/01/2026

🥞🎉 Start your Raccoon River Days morning with breakfast and a show!

Join us for the famous Chris Cakes All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast from 8:30–11:00 a.m. featuring flying pancakes, sausage, and juice. It's fun for all ages and you won't want to miss this!

Did you know? Chris Cakes got its start right here in Iowa in the late 1960s when Lorin Christianson of Pocahontas created a custom pancake recipe and a one-of-a-kind serving style that turned the pancake world upside down. In the early 1980s, Steve Hamilton brought a Chris Cakes franchise to Kansas and spent the next several decades growing it into the iconic experience it is today. Millions of pancakes later, Chris Cakes has earned two Guinness World Records and expanded to franchises across the United States.

💲 Free-will donations are welcome, with all proceeds benefiting the 2027 Raccoon River Days Festival and helping keep this community tradition free for everyone to enjoy.

Come hungry, bring your family, and get ready to catch a pancake! 🥞🙌

05/31/2026

⏰ WEEKLY CHECK-IN ⏰

Goal: 165 runners
Current registration count: ___

Tomorrow price adjustment from $35 to $38 why wait??

Let’s keep the momentum going! Share this post and invite someone to join you 💥

📅 Saturday, June 6th, 2026
⏰ Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
📍 Van Meter Recreation Complex – Van Meter, Iowa

👉 Register here:
VM 5K Sign-Up Page

05/31/2026

🥧 Raccoon River Days Pie & Dessert Contest is almost here! 🧁

Think you’ve got a prize-winning pie or dessert? We’d love to have you enter!

📅 Saturday, June 6
📍 Van Meter Fire Station (505 Grant St.)
⏰ Drop-off: 2:00–3:00 PM
(Please bring your filled out entry form with you! You can find them on the Van Meter Life website!)

Youth (under 18) and Adult subdivisions will both be judged, with cash prizes awarded within each subdivision:
🥇 $50
🥈 $25
🥉 $15

✨We would like to emphasize that ALL skill levels are welcome! ✨

Refrigeration will be available for items that need to stay cold. Winners will be announced at 8:30 PM in the break of Raccoon River Days entertainment, followed by a live auction of all entries.

All pies and desserts are considered donations, with auction proceeds supporting 2027 Raccoon River Days festivities.

Please share with anyone who might be interested, and let us know if you have any questions. We can’t wait to see what everyone brings!

05/30/2026

☀️ Raccoon River Days + Bubble Run + community fun?

Sounds like the PERFECT summer Saturday 💙

Come make memories with us at the VM 5K Bubble & Foam Run/Walk!

📅 Saturday, June 6th, 2026
⏰ Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
📍 Van Meter Recreation Complex – Van Meter, Iowa

👉 Sign up today:
Register for the VM 5K Bubble Run

05/30/2026

🎉 FRIDAY CHALLENGE 🎉

Tag 3 friends you want to run/walk the VM Bubble & Foam Run with!

Community + foam + summer fun = the BEST Saturday morning 😎

📅 Saturday, June 6th, 2026
⏰ Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
📍 Van Meter Recreation Complex – Van Meter, Iowa

👉 Register your team here:
VM 5K Registration Link