This July, Lake Mills, IA, will be buzzing with activity as community members and visitors flock downtown for the cherished annual July Jubilee celebration. Featuring three packed days of family fun during the weekend of July 10-12, July Jubilee is one of Lake Mills’ most anticipated community events.
Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce handles all aspects of July Jubilee’s planning, organization, registration, and marketing. With this year’s celebration featuring a trademark diverse array of activities and events, anticipation is mounting among tourists and locals alike.
“When we plan these events, we always consider what draws people in, and a lot of the time, entertainment goes hand-in-glove with a great experience,” said Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce Director Cassie Johnson. “If a family can enjoy an event together, you will see people come out in masses. Offering free kids’ activities is a major mission for Lake Mills July Jubilee: we host inflatables, face painting, music, yard games, and so much more throughout the weekend! We close the street to vehicle traffic, allowing people to experience downtown in a whole new way.”
July Jubilee: What to Expect
For the unfamiliar or uninitiated, Lake Mills July Jubilee consists of three days of non-stop activities, morning to evening. For a full event rundown and sponsor list, click here.
Friday, July 10:
- 11 a.m.: BBQ cookout at MBT Bank
- 11 a.m.: Root beer/orange floats at FTSB Bank
- 12 p.m.: 5K Early Registration at Lake Mills Physical Therapy
- 5 p.m.: Wine tasting % hors d’oeuvres at 308 S. Lincoln St.
- 6 p.m. Community night (inflatable jump houses, face painting, music, free entertainment and more) in downtown Lake Mills
- 9 p.m.: DJ Afterparty in downtown Lake Mills
Saturday, July 11:
- 7:30 a.m.: July Jubilee 5K (registration at 6:45 a.m.)
- 10:30 a.m.: July Jubilee Parade (parade staging at 9:30 a.m. Click here for parade route and registration)
- 11:30 a.m.: Parents for D.C. Picnic Fundraiser (through 2 p.m.) at Oakwood Park
- 11:30 a.m.: Fun in the Park (through 3 p.m.) at Oakwood Park
- 12 p.m.: Lazy Acre Vineyard Festivities (location TDB)
- 12 p.m.: Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament at Leonard Fjelstad Sports Complex
- 12:30 p.m.: Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser and Beer Olympics at 5 Alarm Brewing Co.
- 1 p.m.: Burnap Country School Museum Open at 308 N. Mill St.
- 8 p.m.: Downtown Concert
Sunday, July 12:
- 8 a.m.: American Legion Breakfast Fundraiser: 205 N. Mill St.
- 9 a.m.: Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Tournament at Truman Helgeson Civic Center
- 12 p.m.: Java and Jesus Community Worship Service at Oakwood Park
- 3 p.m.: Free Popcorn and Pop at ‘The Mills’ Theater
Additional Upcoming Events in Lake Mills
July Jubilee is far from the final fun-filled community event in Lake Mills in 2026. Another popular event is Fall Carnival in late September, the Halloween-themed Ghouls Day Out on Oct. 27, a holiday festival held on the second Saturday of December, plus winter shopping events such as Treat Your Shelf (a free book exchange and shopping event) and Galentine’s Day Out.
To be sure, these events bring community members together and create lasting memories. But economically, the impact on local businesses and entrepreneurs is palpable.
“Local events are major boosts to economic activity, especially in small towns like our own,” Johnson continued. “For example, many of our small businesses have expressed to us that the profits from a single summer celebration help to run the business year-round.
“Retailers and hospitality businesses count on their loyal base group of customers that they see on a regular basis, but these events draw out families and visitors to also experience what downtown has to offer! They also give in-home businesses a chance to gain some exposure through vendor opportunities or providing services to the event itself.”
For more information or questions on Lake Mills July Jubilee and any of the city’s events, contact Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce at lmcdc@wctatel.net or 641-592-5253.
