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Home Care In Middle Amana, IA

Home Care Middle Amana, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Communal Kitchen Museum and Cooper Shop gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Middle Amana, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Middle Amana, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Elderly Care for James T.
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”

Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!
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In-home Care for Michael H.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.
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Senior Care for Melanie S.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”

Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Middle Amana, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Middle Amana, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Middle Amana, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Middle Amana, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Middle Amana, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Amana Community Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Middle Amana, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ronneburg Restaurant or visit Amana Heritage Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Middle Amana, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Middle Amana, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Middle Amana, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Middle Amana, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Middle Amana, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Middle Amana, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Middle Amana, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Middle Amana, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Amana Retirement Community - Lakeview Village
  • Amana Retirement Community - Colonial Manor
Home Care Middle Amana, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Middle Amana, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Middle Amana, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Middle Amana, IA

Latest News in Middle Amana, IA

Amana’s Hahn Bakery closing Sunday after 150 year legacy

MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) - This weekend, a historic bakery in Middle Amana will be closing its doors. The Hahn Bakery is more than 150 years old, and well known for its breads and coffee cakes.For the customers who’ve been coming for generations, Doris Hahn behind the counter is a familiar sight. She and her husband Jack took over the bakery from Jack’s parents, Carl and Emilie Hahn, in 1968, and ran it with their friends and family.Doris says there was a bit of a learning curve, at first, saying “It was hard...

MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) - This weekend, a historic bakery in Middle Amana will be closing its doors. The Hahn Bakery is more than 150 years old, and well known for its breads and coffee cakes.

For the customers who’ve been coming for generations, Doris Hahn behind the counter is a familiar sight. She and her husband Jack took over the bakery from Jack’s parents, Carl and Emilie Hahn, in 1968, and ran it with their friends and family.

Doris says there was a bit of a learning curve, at first, saying “It was hard for me to learn how to make bread and coffee cakes, because I never did that before. And then Jack said to me, you’re gonna learn fast. And I did!”

They baked together for around 30 years, until Jack passed away. Then, Doris learned some more, and for more than 25 years, she’s run the bakery herself. “I just felt that was my job, was to take care of my customers,” says Hahn.

The heart of the Hahn Bakery is its hearth oven- a 10 feet by 10 feet structure that can bake up to 100 loaves of bread at a time. A century ago, it fed an entire community as part of the communal kitchen in Middle Amana. It’s fed customers all across the United States, and become a center of connectivity.

“They knew, it must have been, the vast majority of people that were coming in and out of the bakery. Both people who would come in from the community just to say hi, but people through the sales room. Tourists, especially that they would see every year,” says Grant Rozeboom, Doris’ grandson.

And among the millions of cinnamon rolls, loaves of bread and coffee cakes, the Hahn family has made millions of memories.

“My Oma...kind of took one of my groups of classmates under her wing. She gave us lots of treats, she welcomed them to the bakery,” says Rozeboom.

“I loved every day that I baked. I can’t say I didn’t love it,” says Hahn.

While the bakery will be greatly missed when it closes its doors December 31st, Hahn says she’s ready for retirement, which will include seeing more of her family. “It’s gonna be hard, on New Years Eve. But I really am looking forward to a new adventure,” says Hahn.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.

New exhibit brings Amana printing to light

MIDDLE AMANA — The Amana Heritage Museum opened a new exhibit this month, sharing the history of its print shop as a 19th- and 20th-century agribusiness.Titled “Bringing to Light,” the exhibit includes a Linotype machine, print plates and samples of letterhead printed by the Amana business.Jennifer Miller, an intern from the University of Iowa, answered questions for visitors during an open house for the exhibit last week. “Amana print shop is not just the religious books,” said Miller.A Mas...

MIDDLE AMANA — The Amana Heritage Museum opened a new exhibit this month, sharing the history of its print shop as a 19th- and 20th-century agribusiness.

Titled “Bringing to Light,” the exhibit includes a Linotype machine, print plates and samples of letterhead printed by the Amana business.

Jennifer Miller, an intern from the University of Iowa, answered questions for visitors during an open house for the exhibit last week. “Amana print shop is not just the religious books,” said Miller.

A Master of Fine Arts candidate in book arts, Miller spent May, June and July helping Amana Heritage Society Curator Rebecca Simpson comb through agribusiness advertisements, correspondence and agreements from 1870-1932 to document the job printing industry, a previously unexplored part of Iowa County History.

Amana produced dozens of ag products for local and outside sale and was a dealer for numerous product lines sold to area farmers. The new exhibit recreates the local ag economy to show communal Amana’s connections to its customers and vendors, including Iowa County farmers and customers in a dozen other states.

Gary Frost, professor emeritus and conservator from the University of Iowa Center for the Book, has studied this collection for 20 years. It was formerly housed in Homestead, said Frost, but the 2020 derecho tore the roof off the building and broke a 130-year-old oak.

The 15 years the collection spent in Homestead “was fun for me, but nobody ever came there,” said Frost. Jon Childers, executive director of Amana Heritage Society, imagined the collection would find more traffic in the Amanas, Frost said.

The exhibit is housed in the Communal Kitchen Museum, 1003 26th Ave. in Middle Amana. Frost demonstrated the Linotype on display during last week’s open house at the museum.

“When the [German] community came to Ebenezer and Amana, the printing just surged,” said Frost. The printing industry has a 300-year history there, he said. “We had better start commemorating it.”

German Ottmar Mergenthaler invented the Linotype machine. It was first used commercially in 1886. At one time, the Linotype composed all the newspapers in the United States, said Frost.

Most newspapers had given up the Linotype by the 1980s.

The Linotype in the Amana museum came to the Iowa community in 1953, Frost said. The German residents of the Amana Colonies used the Linotype for typesetting in English but continued to typeset in German by hand.

The Linotype is functional and is still used to compose publications for the Amanas.

Photos from the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana Colonies

Home / Photos from the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana ColoniesThe Gazette Brayden Orcutt of Anamosa, IA watches a jousting match during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance) ...

Home / Photos from the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana Colonies

The Gazette

Brayden Orcutt of Anamosa, IA watches a jousting match during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Theo 'Theopolis' White of Rolla, Mo., poses for a picture during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival & Gathering outside the Amana Colonies on Saturday (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Melissa Hind of Waterloo plays 'Merry the Blue Fairy' during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. A (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Jeremy Corpman, left, and Dustin Neuhalfen, both of Cedar Rapids, joust during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Jeremy Corpman of Cedar Rapids, right, and Theo White of Rolla, Mo., joust during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Bob Meyer of Callender plays 'Merlin' during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Performers joust during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival outside the Amana Colonies on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Brayden Orcutt of Anamosa, IA watches a jousting match during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Theo 'Theopolis' White of Rolla, Mo., poses for a picture during day 1 of the Iowa Renaissance Festival & Gathering outside the Amana Colonies on Saturday (Ben Roberts/Freelance)

Saturday was day 1 of the 28th annual Iowa Renaissance Festival, being held at Middle Amana Park in the Amana Colonies. This year, the festival runs between May 25 and May 27 and also June 1 to June 2.

Buy Me a Sword: Iowa Renaissance Festival brings the life and times of centuries past back to the Amanas

Hear ye, hear ye: The Iowa Renaissance Festival and Gathering o’ Celts will transmogrify Middle Amana Park into a historical wonderland for the next two weekends, featuring feast and potation fit for royalty, mercantile from all the sovereign lands and various performances in the courtyard, from jousting to swordfighting to the arcane arts.For its 26th year, the festival has expanded to two weekends: May 27-29 and June 3-4. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine (or snow, as has happened in years past) thousands of people from the...

Hear ye, hear ye: The Iowa Renaissance Festival and Gathering o’ Celts will transmogrify Middle Amana Park into a historical wonderland for the next two weekends, featuring feast and potation fit for royalty, mercantile from all the sovereign lands and various performances in the courtyard, from jousting to swordfighting to the arcane arts.

For its 26th year, the festival has expanded to two weekends: May 27-29 and June 3-4. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine (or snow, as has happened in years past) thousands of people from the Midwest will gather in tunics or iron-clad in armor. Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up, $6 for children. Multi-day passes range from $10-39. On Memorial Day, current and retired military are admitted free (with military ID).

The roughly 400-year period in European history known as the Renaissance will sweep through the shire of Medici Grove, as the park has been dubbed for the event. But the two weekends will also feature other eras.

“We try to provide a range of different timelines through the Renaissance,” says festival producer Mike Amos, who took the helm last year.

There are seven different “encampments,” Amos explains, that showcase different periods of history alongside the Renaissance, from vikings to celts to pirates. Each of these different exhibits will feature live performance, spanning comedy to firebreathing to musical troupes. All of this culminates at the mainstage, with the Joust. My experience last year placed the event as a cross between a Game of Thrones theatre production and WWE. The performers, Joust Evolution, are a regional act, who shape the outcomes of their spars based on audience participation.

Iowa Renaissance is family-friendly and more than just entertainment value, Amos says. It’s an opportunity for hands-on and immersive education, whether for aspiring pupils or wise sages. There will be workshops in metallurgy, lessons in pony-riding for kids and run-throughs of everything that goes into a knight donning their armor for battle (which is a series of layering — tunic, chainmail and then plate armor — ultimately weighing some 50 pounds).

All throughout the day, the festival sets up a flea market with merchants of goblets, swords, tapestries and more period-specific goods. If one has a discerning eye, they might find famous village characters, such as Robin Hood or Herr Karl or many more (village royalty is always on display at Ren Fest), patronizing the marketplace or the royal food court. From 5-6 p.m. each day, The King’s Smoker — a new addition this year — will open its doors to legal-aged patrons for beer, wine, mead and jokes.

For the bulk of its life, Iowa Renaissance Festival has set up in the Amana Colonies, a sort of breathing museum of European ancestry in Iowa. “There’s a lot of fun and games with Ren Fest,” Amos says, “but also the opportunity to learn. This ties in well with the Amanas, where we see a lot of preservation of history.”

Here are 5 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including the Iowa Renaissance Festival in Amana

The Iowa Renaissance Festival returns with turkey legs, ale and jousting while Wilson's Orchard & Farm has a special Memorial Day celebration. Plus, two spots for happy hour and brunch.0:001:30ADBid your modern-day problems adieu and transport back in time with the Iowa Renaissance Festival this weekend.Or, spend your Memorial Day weekend outside with live music at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm and perhaps catch a movie in the park put on by FilmScene.Here are five things to do this weekend in Jo...

The Iowa Renaissance Festival returns with turkey legs, ale and jousting while Wilson's Orchard & Farm has a special Memorial Day celebration. Plus, two spots for happy hour and brunch.

Bid your modern-day problems adieu and transport back in time with the Iowa Renaissance Festival this weekend.

Or, spend your Memorial Day weekend outside with live music at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm and perhaps catch a movie in the park put on by FilmScene.

Here are five things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including a pair of spots for happy hour and brunch.

Have a cup of mead at the Iowa Renaissance Festival

Saturday or Sunday afternoon: Don your best Renaissance garb at the Iowa Renaissance Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave. Shop for jewelry, leather goods and other handcrafted items while feasting on turkey legs, brats, funnel cakes and more. Expect sightings of royalty and the fair folk or cheer on a jousting tournament throughout the day. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids ages six through 13. The festival is free for children five and younger. Tickets can be purchased on the Iowa Renaissance Festival’s website.

Catch a classic on the big screen for free

Saturday evening: FilmScene in the Park returns with another season of free film screenings at the Chauncey Swan Park, 405 E. Washingston St. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy “North by Northwest” starring Cary Grant. The 1959 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock follows Roger O. Thornhill who’s been mistaken for a government agent as he flees spies and embarks a cross-country journey. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Visit FilmScene’s website for a full schedule of upcoming films part of the series, which includes Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” and Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.”

Enjoy music in Iowa City’s Northside

Saturday evening: Summer of the Arts’ Northside Concert Series returns with the Iowa City band The Uniphonics. The seven-member band blending jazz, funk and hip-hop formed over 15 years ago and have released multiple albums. The Uniphonics will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Northside. Visit Summer of the Arts’ website for a full schedule of performances as part of the Northside Concert Series.

Celebrate Memorial Day at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm

Sunday afternoon: Have a slice of pizza and enjoy free live music from The Beaker Brothers Band at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, 4823 Dingleberry Rd. N.E. The long-standing act plays homage to jam bands of the late 1960s and early 70s, including the Allman Brothers and Santana. The Memorial Day fun is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Stop by Bread Garden Market for a show

Saturday evening: While diners in Iowa City's Northside groove to The Uniphonics, Bread Garden Market will host free live music on their patio. The Nic Arp Band will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Arp is an Iowa City songwriter and musician who is joined by four other veteran musicians. Bread Garden Market is located at 225 S. Linn St.

Eat brunch or hang with friends at happy hour in Johnson County

Friday evening: Grab a drink at the spot with the best views of Iowa City. Vue Rooftop, 328 S. Clinton St., boasts happy hour on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The specials are $2 off craft beer, craft cocktails and glasses of wine.

Sunday morning:Ox Yoke Inn at 4420 220th Trail in Amana, provides Sunday brunch, especially convenient for Iowa Renaissance Festival attendees this weekend. Previous brunch menus at the Ox Yoke Inn included Belgian waffles, breakfast potatoes, fried chicken, honey-glazed ham, kolaches, pies and all the other sweets you’d want to indulge in. Brunch is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at [email protected] or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

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