Cheer on the Hawkeyes or Cyclones at a Community Watch Party Sept. 9 at Colony Acres

Sport your favorite black, gold or cardinal attire and watch the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones face-off in the annual rivalry football game. The game is taking place in Ames, but we’re throwing a party at North Liberty’s Colony Acres Family Farm. Entry and all kids’ fun is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Here’s all you need to know for a successful gameday.

The five Ws

• Who: You! Free, and all ages are welcome
• What: An IA vs. ISU community watch party
• Where: Colony Acres Family Farm, 1150 Front St NE
• When: Saturday, Sept. 9. Grounds open at 1:30 p.m., kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
• Why: To represent your favorite team!

What to expect

Join us for football on the farm. Check in at Colony Acres’ new barn and snag a door prize ticket and swag before catching the game on an 10-by-17-foot LED screen. To keep the kids entertained, attractions will be open and free of charge.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m.

• Grounds open
• Food and drink sales
• Free kids attractions (zip line, giant slide, bounce pad, duck races and more. Hayrack rides and the maze will be closed.)
• Free face painting
• Snag a free noisemaker or pom pom to represent your favorite team
• Photo opportunities
• Visit with City Slate event sponsors

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Live performance from the Iowa Brass band

2:30 p.m.
Kickoff (broadcast courtesy of South Slope)

End of 1st Quarter
All attendees are encouraged to turn southeast for the Iowa Wave at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital

4:00 p.m. (anticipated halftime)

• Live twirling performance from Ambition Baton & Dance
• Door prize drawings (must be present to win):
  • (2) tickets to the sold-out Nov. 11 Iowa vs Rutgers game
  • (2) tickets to the Nov. 18 Iowa State vs University of Texas game
  • (1) autographed football by Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
  • (1) autographed football by Iowa State Football Head Coach Matt Campbell

6:00 p.m. (anticipated end)
Game ends (grounds will close 30 minutes after the game concludes)

Food and drink

A variety of menu items will be for sale from Colony Acres. Credit card is preferred, but cash can be accepted. There is no ATM on-site.

• Food: kettle corn, pumpkin bread, pizza, funnel cakes and donuts
• Drinks:
  • Domestic beer: Busch Light and Michelob Ultra ($4.50)
  • Craft beer: Backpocket Angel Haze IPA ($6.50), Big Grove Boomtown and Big Grove Easy Eddy ($5.50)
  • Seltzers: Carbliss Black Raspberry and Carbliss Lemon Lime ($4.50)
  • NA: bottled water ($2), lemonade ($3), Gatorade ($3) and Apple Cider Slushies ($5.95)
• Outside alcohol and food will be prohibited. Please support Colony Acres for co-hosting this free event.

What to bring

• Your ID and wallet, if you plan on purchasing alcohol or food.
• Your gameday swag (shirts, pom poms, foam fingers)
• Lawn chairs or a blanket. Picnic tables will be scattered on-site, but provided seating is limited. Please leave personal pop-up tents and large shades at home.

You also might be wondering

• Parking will be available on a grass lot. Consider carpooling, biking or walking to the event.
• Restrooms will be available inside the barn. Additionally, portable toilets will be on the lawn.
• With expected large crowds and amplified sound, please leave your dogs at home.
• Please leave personal pop-up tents and large shades at home.
• Outside alcohol and food will be prohibited. Please support Colony Acres for co-hosting this free event.
• Tailgating in the Colony Acres parking lot will be prohibited.
• The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape and other electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

Who to thank

Special thanks to Colony Acres Family Farm and their staff for collaboration on this event. Visit them several times this fall — their season opens Sept. 16.

This event is part of the City Slate. The yearlong schedule of events is made possible by Centro, Inc, The Family Dental Center, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, Shive-Hattery, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union. The City Slate is a compilation of North Liberty’s largest and free city-produced events, with more than 40 events planned in 2023. Explore the schedule at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.

Stay in the loop

• Any cancellations or delays will be posted in the Facebook event.
• Share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram
• Stay connected with the City by subscribing to the North Liberty Bulletin or signing up for news alerts.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation at our events for individuals with disabilities. For accommodations, please reach out to [email protected] or call (319) 626-5755.

Help Build Centennial Park’s Next Stage

This year, the Colony Acres’ maze design features Building North Liberty’s Next Stage campaign!

We’re committed to providing our residents and visitors opportunities to play in North Liberty, and we have big plans for Centennial Park (1565 St Andrews Dr). To help us add to and enhance our programming, please consider making a donation to Building North Liberty’s Next Stage campaign. When complete, Centennial Park will be home to the Centennial Center — a multipurpose indoor event space and connected outdoor stage — an open-air pavilion, expansive plaza spaces, a premier splash pad, wheelchair-accessible playground features, expanded parking and trails, restrooms and an honor garden. Learn more about the project, make a one-time donation or pledge financial support over multiple payments at northlibertyiowa.org/nextstage.