KLEM Newscast for Friday, September 18, 2026

Get ready for a day filled with scarecrows, fall treats, family fun and plenty of community spirit as the Great Akron Scarecrow Festival returns to the Akron City Park tomorrow, September 19th.

LeAnne Philips, one of the organizers of the 26^th annual event, says the scarecrow decorating contest remains the highlight of the festival.

Individuals, families, groups, businesses, and organizations are invited to enter a scarecrow. No pre-registration or entry fee is required, and nearly $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded across 20 prize categories. Scarecrow entries can be brought to the information booth at the park between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Philips says the petting zoo will return this year, sponsored by Peoples Bank, and there will be plenty of activities for kids.

More than 70 vendors will fill the park and food booths will feature taverns, hotdogs, tacos-in-a-bag, cotton candy, and other fall favorites.

The festival is hosted and organized by members of the Akron Friendship & Service Club.

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Bulldog Battle of the Bands

The second annual Bulldog Battle of the Bands will be taking place tomorrow, September 19th, at Le Mars Community Stadium.

The event is expected to host 17 bands, over 700 students, and over 1,500 spectators, with the University of South Dakota Marching Band set to perform. Festivities will start at 8 a.m. with the competition portion expected to start around 4:45 p.m.

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Sioux Center Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival at Heritage Village in Sioux Center starts today for school groups, and will run through tomorrow, September 19th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free event will include live demonstrations and buildings that allow people to walk through history. For updates and more details on the festival, visit the Heritage Village Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Genealogical Society meeting

The Northwest Iowa Genealogical Society will meet tomorrow, September 19th, at 1:30 p.m. at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Guest speaker Lynn Steckelberg will address the group with updates on The Last Gift, a local program designed to identify and honor individuals buried in unmarked graves.

Steckelberg is a retired Plymouth County Sheriff’s department officer, and active representative of The Last Gift. As part of his presentation, he will answer any questions about the program, including how anyone can help. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to enjoy the refreshments that follow.