The People

Iowa ranks 30th among the states in population. New England farmers settling Iowa in the 1850's were followed by Germans and Scandinavians. In 2000 Iowa had one of the highest percentages of whites (nearly 94 per cent) in the nation. Nonwhites included some 62,000 blacks, 36,600 Asians, and 7,000 American Indians, including about 615 on the Sac and Fox Reservation near Tama.

Annual events in Iowa
January-March
Okoboji Winter Games(January); St. Patrick's Day Celebration in Emmetsburg (third weekend in March).
April-June
Drake University Relays in Des Moines (April); Tulip Festival in Orange City and Tulip Time in Pella (May); Dubuquefest in Dubuque (May); Grant Wood Art Festival in Anamosa (second Sunday in June).
July-September
Riverboat Days in Clinton (July); River-Cade in Sioux City (July); Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport (July); Nordic Fest in Decorah (July); Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) (route varies, July); National Hot Air Balloon Classic in Indianola (July-August); Meskwaki Indian Powwow in Tama (August); Iowa Championship Rodeo in Sidney (August); National Hobo Convention in Britt (August); National Sprint Car Race Championship in Knoxville (August); Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison (September); Fort Atkinson Rendezvous (September).
October-December
Covered Bridge Festival in Madison County (second weekend in October); Forest Craft and Scenic Drive Festival in Van Buren County (October); Victorian Stroll in Albia (December).