Special Events

Second annual Albion Toy Show was held Sunday, Nov. 2. at the Cardinal Inn Event Center in Albion. The show was organized and staged by Linda, Aaron and Dan Hamling, they were well pleased that the show went from 14 exhibitors last year to all of the booths being sold this year, there was a lot of buying, selling, and trading of the different collectables at the Cardinal Inn Event Center. Plans are underway for making this a third annual Toy Show in 2026.

Cold and nasty was an understatement for conditions at the annual Petersburg Community Club Trunk or Treat Halloween Day celebration. The little characters were forced to bundle up while filling their bags with goodies. Along with the merchants, some residents also braved the weather to participate.

Amazing Bubbles was the program presented to the St. Edward PreK – 2nd grade classes by Edgerton Explorit Center of Aurora on Wednesday, October 22. The program, held at the Community Center, was hosted by the St. Edward Public Library and coordinated by Ella Heath, school librarian, and Vickie Fritzges, public library director.

It’s that time of year again— Bomgaars is excited to announce the upcoming Ladies Night at the Albion Bomgaars Store. Join in for a festive evening of Fall Shopping and fun.

Boone County Health Center hosted its first annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Walk, “ Remembering Every Step,” on Tuesday, October 1st at Fuller Park. The event, held in recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, drew approximately 70 participants including families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who came together in remembrance and support.

This fall, Boone Central School, and St. Edward School fifth graders learned about electrical safety from Cornhusker Public Power District representatives. The schools were among the eighteen schools and 470 students in Cornhusker Public Power District’s six-county service area to experience the program.

Applied Connective Technologies and Valero Renewables Albion faced off again this year to collect food and other necessities for local food pantries. The heated annual competition concluded on Friday, September 26th, using the renewable plant’s scales to determine the winner.

A free will donation Spaghetti Feed was held Sunday October 12 2025 at the Knights of Columbus Council 1739 Hall, The Knights prepared and served the meal which included Spaghetti, Salad, Bread, Ice Cream & Drink. The proceeds from the Spaghetti Dinner will go to St. Michael’s School.

The Boone County Big Give creates an annual opportunity for charitable organizations to identify a core need to raise awareness and funds for. This year, 37 local groups are participating, with projects, including: 23 Tails, Inc. - Boone County Dog Park Akron Community Center - Exterior Improvements & New Bathroom Albion Area Arts Council, Inc. Summer Concert Series Albion Baseball/City of Albion Cardinal Cage, Phase 2 Albion Chamber of Commerce Downtown Building Lights & Mini Park Upkeep Albion Economic Development Corp. - Trail Expansion & Clark Street Park Renovation Albion Education Foundation Creation of Outdoor Classrooms Albion Public Library - Two New Children’s Programs Albion Rose Hill Cemetery Inc. Asphalt Road Maintenance American Legion Post #334 (Petersburg) - Facility Improvements Beaver Valley Senior Center - Repair East Entry & Paint Blessings in a Backpack - Weekend Meals Boone Beginnings Early Childhood & Family Development Ctr. - Outdoor Play Equipment Boone Central PTO - Sun Shades for Playground Boone Co. Ag Education Center - Concrete for Parking Lot Improvements Boone Co. Development Agency - Youth-Focused Leadership Pipeline Boone County Fitness Center Items from Members’ Wish List Boone County Friends of the Trail - Growing a Trail for All Ages Trail Expansion Boone County Foundation Fund Unrestricted Permanent Endowment Boone Co. Health Center Foundation - Mental Health Financial Assistance Program Boone County Historical Society/ Museum - Updated Lighting, South Room Boone County Jr. Leaders/4-H Club - A-Rama Livestock Show Boy Scout Troop #155 (American Legion Post #165) - Scout Camp & Establishment of Girl’s Troop Cardinal Kids Club - CKC Clubs Supplies Cedar Valley Community Foundation - Replace Community Picnic Tables & Benches Gateway Youth Foundation (Theatre) - Exterior Doors & New Projector Good Samaritan Society-Albion Robotic Companion Pets Little Missy Softball - Two Juggs Pitching Machines for Cardinal Cage Petersburg Community Club/ Village of Petersburg - Community Beautification Petersburg Community Foundation - Upgrade Water Fountains & New Stair Climber Petersburg Public Library/Village of Petersburg - Microfiche to Flash Drive Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department - Update Communication Devices for Wildland Fire Trucks Primrose Rural Fire District #5 Water & Foam Tanks Riverside Education Foundation Marquee at Riverside-Cedar Rapids Campus St. Edward Development Co. Digital Community Event Sign St. Edward Public Library - Building Updates to Improve Accessibility Village of Primrose - New Surface Under Park Playground Equipment This year, the giving week is Monday, December 1 through Saturday, December 6. All dollars raised stay in Boone County and are used for their designated purposes. Over the last 11 years, more than $3 million has been raised to support approximately 250 local projects. Supporters can learn more about each organization and their projects at: BCBigGive.org or follow the Boone County Big Give online: @BCBigGive.

Across the U.S., from Idaho to Minnesota, rural voices are showing how one photo can make a difference. Six winners of Lallemand’s 2025 Hometown Roots contest have each chosen a local organization to receive $5,000, supporting programs that strengthen rural communities and celebrate the next generation of agricultural leaders.