Stay in touch with Ringgold County
Contact the Chamber
Karen Bender
Chamber and Tourism
117 S. Fillmore
Mt. Ayr, IA 50854
641-464-3704
[email protected]
EVENTS
March 27: Sparks Expo, Mount Ayr
March 28: School Spring Play, Diagonal
April 12: Mount Ayr Prom, Mount Ayr
April 19: Easter Egg Hunt, Mount Ayr
April 19: Easter Egg Hunt, Tingley
April 23: Ringgold HELP Youth Pod Community Service Day, Mount Ayr
April 25-27: Ryann’s Dance Academy Dance Recital, Mount Ayr
April 28: Merrill Perry Spring Concert, Mount Ayr
May 2: Diagonal Prom, Diagonal
May 9: High School Graduation, Diagonal
May 13: Spring Program, Diagonal
May 13: Senior Awards Day, Mount Ayr
May 18: High School Graduation, Mount Ayr
May 24: Alumni Banquet, Diagonal
May 26: Memorial Day Service, Mount Ayr
May 26: Memorial Day Service, Tingley
May 26: Memorial Service, Kellerton
May 26: Memorial Day Service, Diagonal
June 7: Road Trip
Sept. 1: Labor Day Celebration, Diagonal
Sept. 19-21: Mount Ayr Sesquicentennial, Mount Ayr
Oct. 5: Begger’s Bash 5pm, Mount Ayr
Oct. 17-18: Haunted House, Mount Ayr
Oct. 24-25: Haunted House, Mount Ayr
Oct. 25: Halloween Parade, Tingley
Nov. 27: Turkey Trot, Mount Ayr
Dec. 4: Christmas Ladies Night, Mount Ayr
Dec. 5: Poe Hollow Holiday Lights, Mount Ayr
Dec. 6: Lighted Christmas Parade & Festivities, Mount Ayr
Dec. 6: Poe Hollow Holiday Lights, Mount Ayr
Dec. 12-13: Poe Hollow Holiday Lights, Mount Ayr
Dec. 19-20: Poe Hollow Holiday Lights, Mount Ayr
Get ready for an unforgettable experience as we invite you to the 3-Day Celebration of our Sesquicentennial from September 19 to 21, 2025! This is not just an event; it’s a grand extravaganza brimming with excitement and nostalgia. Picture the vibrant atmosphere as the Kids Parade kicks off the festivities, filling the streets with laughter and joy. The Grand Parade will follow, showcasing an array of floats that celebrate our rich history and community spirit.
Prepare for a whirlwind of fun with thrilling rides, captivating attractions, and a variety of games that will delight attendees of all ages. Whether you are a fan of classic car shows, farm exhibits, or stunning quilts, there’s something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the historical displays that honor our past, while also enjoying quirky competitions like arm wrestling, beard growing, pipe smoking, and even pizza eating contests!
For those looking for a royal experience, join us in crowning our Prince and Princess, adding a touch of charm to the celebration. The sound of bagpipes will fill the air, while circus performers dazzle you with their amazing acts. Don’t miss out on the delightful tastes of Scottish tea and fun treats and laughs from CroqueMania, or test your skills in our exciting golf tournament!
Explore the vibrant market vendors offering unique crafts and delicious food that will tantalize your taste buds.
Music lovers will be in for a treat with an incredible lineup featuring Ritchie Lee and the Fab 50’s, Mikey Needleman Band, Tony Bohnenkamp, Korbie Rinehart, Jake Schrodt Music, Final Mix, Jesse and the Medicine Men, and The Ridge Runners, with even more acts to be announced!
Mark your calendars now and get ready to celebrate in style at this monumental event, with tons of fun, laughter, and memories to be made, the Sesquicentennial Celebration is an experience you won’t want to miss! Join us for three incredible days of community, culture, and camaraderie – we can’t wait to see you there!
For more information: Email : [email protected] Visit: https://mountayriowa.com or scan QR Code
Watch for Event Mobile app coming soon!
Mount Ayr
Mount Ayr will be celebrating 150 years in 2025! A three-day celebration will be held September 19, 20 and 21st.
Mount Ayr was founded in 1875 and was named in honor of poet Robert Burns’ birthplace in Ayr, Scotland and the “Mount” was added to indicate its location on the highest point of land in the area.
Mount Ayr is also the county seat of Ringgold County.
Mount Ayr has a great school, hospital, and medical facilities. Judge Lewis Park is a welcoming city park that includes a swimming pool, baseball/softball fields, playgrounds, and a walking trail.
The new swimming pool will be open in 2025.
The town square has many businesses surrounding the square with the Ringgold County Courthouse in the middle. The courthouse is surrounded with a courtyard that includes a shelter house, Veteran’s statues, and benches to sit and enjoy the day.
Sitting on the southwest corner of the courtyard is a rock honoring Former Astronaut Peggy Whitson that was painted by Freedom Rock artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen. Whitson was a 1978 graduate of Mount Ayr High School. She logged
in 665 days in space through three missions on the International Space Station, more than any other American astronaut.
On the south side of the square is the restored Skelly Station which has been a great backdrop for many photographers. Originally built in 1941, it ceased operation in the early 1980’s. The vacant building was restored in 2011-12.
Mount Ayr has several other cultural, recreational and entertainment venues such as the Mount Ayr Public Library, the Princess Theater, Mount Ayr Golf & Country Club, Lucky Lanes Bowling Alley, and the Ringgold Outdoor Alliance basketball and volleyball courts.
Ringgold Senior Activity Center is a great place for the older crowd to gather to visit, play cards, exercise, and have events. Their building is available to rent for private events as well. For the youth in town there is the Upper Limits Teen Center with activities every weekend.
Mount Ayr Inn & Suites is a reality from investors in the community that saw a need for a new hotel in town. Each of the thirty guest rooms and the lobby were recently updated with a contemporary design to provide a quiet, comfortable retreat.
These are just a few things that you can enjoy when you visit Mount Ayr. They also have many restaurants and shops to check out as well.
Tingley’s Annual Ice Cream Social
The Town of Tingley will be holding their Annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 24th from 1 to 7pm.
What began as an event to raise funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the Tingley Memorial Park has grown beyond the town’s expectations.
The park was created after a gentleman driving through Tingley everyday decided that an old building along main street needed to be torn down. He bought the property, knocked the building down and sold the property to the Town of Tingley for just $1.00. A group of community members got together and decided to create a Memorial Park in Tingley. The park was constructed in the fall of 2019 by volunteers.
In 2020 the community members held the first ice cream social to bring people together, dedicate the park and raise funds to maintain the park. It was decided to have a homemade ice cream tasting event and the people loved it. All entries were made from scratch in a crank or electric ice cream freezer and no commercial mixes are allowed. A pie baking contest was added to the event in 2022 in memory of Jenny Tull. The event also includes a show and shine car/tractor show, kids’ games and activities, live music and a meal provided by the Ringgold County Cattleman. Each year they have added more activities such as a craft & vendor show, and a corn hole tournament.
Road Trip Ringgold
Road Trip Ringgold is a one-day event aimed at highlighting Ringgold County and all the communities that encompass it. Road Trip Ringgold is held the first Saturday in June annually and will be held June 7, 2025
Road trip with us through the backroads of Ringgold County discovering hidden treasures and communities along the way! This county-wide rummage sale and shop hop style event will sprawl from community to community and will be highlighted on our Road Trip Ringgold Event Map.
This map along with a list of stops, locations and shopping opportunities will be promoted throughout the Midwest Iowa Region.
This map along with a list of stops, locations and shopping opportunities will be promoted throughout the Midwest Iowa Region.
Please visit www.intheayr.com/road-trip-ringgold to see how you can participate in the tour and have your business or location promoted!
ATTRACTIONS
Ringgold County Courthouse
Mount Ayr
641-464-3239
Diagonal Printing Museum & Genealogy Ctr
Diagonal
Ellston Museum & Pioneer Village
Ellston
641-783-2155
First Hy-Vee Store
Beaconsfield
Freedom Rock
Diagonal–Main Street
JR Miller Park
Benton
Judge Lewis Part & Swimming Pool
West Mount Ayr
Loch Ayr Lake
2 miles North of Mount Ayr on West St.
Lucky Lanes Bowling
East side of square, Mount Ayr
Mount Ayr Public Library
(a Carnegie library)
121 W. Monroe, Mount Ayr
641-464-2159
Mt Ayr Restored Depot Museum
N. Taylor Street, Mount Ayr
641-464-2159
Princess Theater
Mount Ayr
641-464-2466
Sun Valley Lake
East of Ellston
Ramsey Farm
Leasonville
Redding City Park
Redding
“Corn King” Mural by Orr Fisher
Mount Ayr Post Office
Peggy Whitson Rock
Courthouse Yard, Mount Ayr Square
Golfing
Mount Ayr Golf & Country Club
3/4 mile south of 169 on Cleveland St., Mount Ayr (9 holes)
641-464-2430
Sun Valley Country Club & Golf Course
Sun Valley Lake
3078 Country Hwy. J20, Ellston
641-772-4380
Biking & Hiking Trails
Mapleleaf Pathway
Northeast side of Diagonal
1.5 mile natural trail on an old Chicago Northwestern railroad bed. This railway system formed an outline of a maple leaf on the rail map.
Ringgold Trailway
East side of Mount Ayr on Hwy 169
25-acre trail system that includes a 2-mile asphalt trail built along an old Burlington Northern railroad bed that extends from Hwy 169 to Poe Hollow Park, with parking access at both ends.
Boone Woods
Southwest of Redding
A vast trail system runs through this rough terrain and provides a challenge for hikers, hunters, and equestrians. A trail and boundry map can be found at a kios in the north parking area.
PLACES TO STAY
Armstrong Guest House
204 W. Monroe St
Mount Ayr
641-344-5553
Charlie – Jane’s B&B
400 W. Madison
Mount Ayr, IA
641-464-2564
Mount Ayr Inn & Suites
Intersection of Highways 169 & 2
Mount Ayr, IA
641-464-3500
Lesanville Inn B&B
2285 270th Ave.
4 miles east of Mount Ayr on Highway 2
641-414-8550
PARKS/CAMPGROUNDS
Fife’s Grove Park
2 miles north on West Street, Mount Ayr. 641-464-2787
Fogle Park Recreation Area
Northwest edge of Diagonal. 641-734-5491
Kokesh Recreational Area
1 mile south of Diagonal. 641-464-2787
Poe Hollow Park
Hwy. 2 East, Mount Ayr. 641-464-2787
Liberty Lake
2173 State Hwy. 169, Mount Ayr. 641-464-2787
