The Waterloo Area Historical Society's best and biggest annual Pioneer Day celebration, this famous festival occurs every October:

Step back into the late 19th century and immerse yourself in life on a working farm at Pioneer Day! Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, docent-led tours of the Waterloo Farm Museum and Dewey School Museum, and lively 19th-century demonstrations that bring history to life. Watch traditional crafts and trades in action, see sheep shearing up close, and experience live baking in the bakehouse. Stroll through the flower barn to watch custom arrangements created on-site, shop for traditional hand-crafted items, and visit with the brewmeister. Live music, authentic cooking, and a bustling atmosphere make this a celebration you won’t want to miss.