New Year’s Resolution: Have Fun: Community Activity Highlights for January 2023
You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.
News & Updates
The Community Center will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1 for the holidays. On Friday, Dec. 29, the Library will be closed and the Recreation Department will have limited hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Jan. 15, the Library will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day; the Recreation Department will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Participate in the Library’s Winter Reading Challenge, Where We Come From, by picking up a log in the library or tracking your progress in the Beanstack mobile app. Complete the challenge by Jan. 31 to be included in prize drawings.
In Case You Missed It
The full seasonal guide, with programs for January, February, March and April, is available online. Printed copies are available at the Recreation Center front desk.
City Slate Events
There’s always something free and fun to do in North Liberty. The City Slate offers events all year long, and is made free with the support of A2Z Heating and Plumbing, Centro, Inc, Collins Community Credit Union, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union. More at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.
After New Year’s Eve Celebration
Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Recreation Center, Free
Get ready to glow up 2024 at this year’s New Year’s celebration. Join us for an After New Year’s Eve dance party with crafts, snacks and a balloon drop.
Ice Fishing with TAKO
Jan. 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Liberty Centre Pond, Free
Try your luck catching some panfish at Liberty Centre pond! This event is free, but a valid fishing license will be required for those 16 and older taking part. Ice fishing equipment will be provided as well as a free lunch (as supplies last). Remember to dress appropriately for cold, wet, muddy and dirty conditions.
Fire & Ice presented by GreenState Credit Union
Jan. 28, 4 – 8 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, 355 E Penn St., Free
Bundle up and join us at Beat the Bitter’s free family day for fire performances, ice skating, games, giveaways, a firework finale and more. Engage in activities, interact with local businesses and fill up on local food trucks and free snacks.
Other Upcoming Events
Film Screening: King in the Wilderness
Jan. 11, 6-8 p.m., Ranshaw House, 515 Community Dr., Free
Drawing on conversations with those who knew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. well, King in the Wilderness reveals stirring new perspectives on King’s character, his radical doctrine of nonviolence and his internal philosophical struggles prior to his assassination.
Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers
Painting 101
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, 10 a.m. or 6 p.m., Recreation Center, $25
What 3- to 5-year-olds don’t love to paint?
Register by Jan. 2 for 10 a.m. Register by Jan. 2 for 6 p.m.
Adults & Senior
Trivia Night
Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m., Library, Free
Who doesn’t love a good battle of the brains? Invite your friends to join us for a night of trivia, snacks and small prizes! Teams can be made up of five people or fewer, but you don’t have to bring a team; individuals can work together or separately.
Club 24
Mondays, 9 a.m., Recreation Center, Free or $6 for a cinnamon roll
Socialize over University of Iowa Athletics, with replays of the latest games, guest speakers and relevant documentaries. Register online, in person or by phone.
Families
Open Swims
Jan. 2 – 5 and Jan. 15, 1-4 p.m., Aquatic Center, $2 children, $4 adults
Join us for open swimming during break and days off of school.
Winter StoryWalk
Jan. 1 – Feb. 29, Liberty Centre, 820 W. Cherry St., Free
Visit the library’s permanent StoryWalk to read Bus Stop by Angela H. Dale. In the spirit of The Snowy Day, a group of kids from A to Z arrive at the bus stop only to discover that the bus is a no-show—snow day!
Beat the Bitter Events
Scheels Ice Rink
Jan. 8 – March 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, 310 N Dubuque St., Free
Enjoy winter and take advantage of Scheels Ice Rink, a 100-foot by 80-foot outdoor ice rink, installed on top of the tennis courts on the south side of Penn Meadows Park. Bring your own skates or borrow skates from the Recreation Department. The rink will be closed if the ice surface does not allow for safe skating. Check the status of the rink (and signup for notifications) using our Rainout Line.
North Liberty Lights
Jan. 26 – Feb. 29, Liberty Centre, 820 W. Cherry St., Free
Winter days can be dark, but North Liberty will be a bit brighter thanks to a month-long light display around Liberty Centre Pond. The 2024 exhibit invites spectators to escape winter with illuminated flowers, forest animals, butterflies and more. The lights will turn on each night at sundown for visitors to walk the trail and enjoy at their leisure.
5K-ish Glow Run
Jan. 26, 6 – 8 p.m., Liberty Centre, 820 W. Cherry St., $15
The glow run, presented by Field Day Brewing, kicks off Beat the Bitter’s festivities and unveils the North Liberty Lights 2024 exhibition — a free illuminated winter display around Liberty Centre for February.
Ice Sculpture Walk
Jan. 28, 5-8 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, 310 N Dubuque St., Free
The walk, presented by the Community Foundation of Johnson County, with nine ice sculptures from master carvers Bill Gordish, Ron Dillavou and Rob Storm returns for adults and children alike to enjoy. Visitors are invited to watch the carvers in action between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. prior to the evening event.
Fireworks
Jan. 28, 8 p.m., Penn Meadows Park, 310 N Dubuque St., Free
Bundle up and bring along blankets – or maybe even your sled – to sit on to enjoy Beat the Bitter’s annual 15-minute winter fireworks display, thanks to GreenState Credit Union. Come early to enjoy Fire & Ice and take a stroll on the park’s trail for the Ice Sculpture Walk.
Snuggie Crawl
Feb. 3, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., $55 per ticket with limit of 450 tickets
The comfy, night out on the town presented by McGrath Toyota of Iowa City will take snugglers wearing the as-seen-on-TV hit of the 2000s around to North Liberty establishments, with shuttles on a loop, so crawl to each stop whenever you wish! Just be sure to hit them all to take advantage of the food and drink specials, games and your chance to win prizes. 2024 Participating Stops include Tin Roost, Field Day Brewing, Copper Boar, Micky’s, Reds Alehouse and J&A Tap. Ticket includes an embroidered snuggie, complimentary appetizers at each stop, food and drink specials, unlimited rides on the bus loop, activities at each stop, a $5 Lyft voucher to help get you home safe and an entry into the Best Dressed Snuggie contest.
