Here We Go Again: Community Activity Highlights for February 2024

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 Library will be closed on Feb. 19 for Presidents’ Day. The Recreation Department will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In Case You Missed It

Our Jones Gym is open for free play on the first and third Tuesdays and second and fourth Fridays each month. Play a game of HORSE or just shoot around.

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.

Ride Around the Lights
Feb.10, 6-8 p.m., Liberty Centre Pond, Free
Enjoy a complimentary pedicab ride from Pedal Power around North Liberty Lights. Rides will depart from under the gazebo at the southeast corner of the pond. Rides will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sip & Stroll
Feb. 22, 6-8 p.m., Liberty Centre Pond, Free
Taste samples of wine and beer from local producers as you stroll the trail of the North Liberty Lights. Receive a commemorative tasting glass and enjoy complimentary sips as you explore the illuminated winter display.

Other Upcoming Events

Chili Supper
Feb. 3, 4:30-7 p.m., Community Center, $8
Support local Scouts BSA Troop 216 by purchasing tickets to their 44th Annual Chili Supper. Meal includes all-you-can-eat meat or vegetarian chili, dessert and a drink. Dine-in or take-out.

North Liberty Night at the Heartlanders
Feb. 16, 6:35-9 p.m., Xtream Arena, $15
Join you neighbors to cheer on The Iowa Heartlanders as they face the Indy Fuel.

North Liberty Bike Swap
Feb. 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Gerdin Conference Center, Free
Connecting the community with cycling stuff to sell with people who want to buy it. Our second year doubles the space and includes local bike shops, enthusiasts looking to unload their old gear, local events and non-profit organizations. Co-hosted by Sugar Bottom Bikes.

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Lil Chefs
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m., Recreation Center, $45
In this awesome class that brings together fun and food, 3- to 5-year-olds will create delicious treats to enjoy during class or take home.

Pied Piper: Percussion
Feb. 8, 9-9:30 a.m., North Liberty Library, Free
Join Orchestra Iowa’s talented percussion ensemble as it introduces preschool-aged children to the instruments! Focused on fun and learning, Pied Piper concerts offer children the opportunity to enjoy an up-close and personal chamber concert.

Youth Council Storytime
Feb. 10, 10:30-11 a.m., North Liberty Library, Free
Join the North Liberty Youth Council for a very special Family Storytime exploring what it means to participate in democracy as a “young citizen.”

Doodlebugs with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Feb. 26, 10:30 a.m., North Liberty Library, Free
Sky-Scapes. What are those shapes in the clouds? What colors and textures do you see? There are so many amazing things to see, if you just look up! Every Doodlebugs starts with a story and ends with imagination and creation!

School-Aged Youth

Beginner Wrestling
Tuesdays, 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., $75
The North Liberty Wrestling Club is a true club for wrestlers of all abilities and experience levels, and no prior wrestling experience needed.

NLYC Youth Basketball Tournament
Feb. 18, 12-5 p.m., North Liberty Community Center, Free to attend; $5/team to play

Play or watch a 3-on-3 basketball tournament hosted by the North Liberty Youth Council as part of Beat the Bitter 2024. Co-ed tournament with two age divisions: 12-14 and 15-18, with prizes awarded to winning teams.

Cold-Blooded Redhead
Feb. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., North Liberty Library, Free
Join us as we welcome Cold-Blooded Redhead, Lindsay Butikofer, a local reptile/invertebrate enthusiast back to the library. Get an up close and personal look at a variety of lizards, snakes and arachnids. Kids and adults alike are invited to learn, discuss, touch and even hold a reptile!

Banned Book Club
Feb. 24, 2-3 p.m., Library, Free
Join the North Liberty Youth Council in reading and discussing recently banned and challenged books. This group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday starting Jan. 27. All teens are welcome!

Adults & Senior

Snuggie Crawl
Feb. 3, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., Various Locations Across North Liberty, $65
The comfy night out on the town presented by McGrath Toyota of Iowa City will take 450 snugglers wearing the as-seen-on-TV hit of the 2000s around to North Liberty establishments. Move on your own schedule with our looping shuttles. Each stop includes food and drink specials, games and a chance to win prizes. Participating stops include Tin Roost, Field Day Brewing, Copper Boar, Micky’s, Reds Alehouse and J&A Tap.

55+ Connections Lunch
Feb. 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Library meeting rooms, Free
In partnership with Beat the Bitter, 55+ Connections Lunch will be free to attend this date. A complimentary entrée will be provided, and guests are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share potluck-style. A trivia game will follow the meal. Join us to connect with fellow seniors in our community! Registration is still required by calling (319) 626-5716 as space is limited

Local Libraries LIT: Rich Benjamin
Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Online, Free
Rich Benjamin, the author of Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America, an Editor’s Choice by both Booklist and The American Library Association, joins us for a reading. Benjamin’s groundbreaking study is one of few to have illuminated in advance the rise of white anxiety and white nationalism in contemporary public US life. Local Libraries LIT (listen, initiate, talk) is a collaboration presented by every public library in Johnson County, Iowa, the University of Iowa Libraries, Kirkwood Community College Library and the Tuesday Agency. The goal of the speaker series is to spark action to develop thriving communities.

Polar Puzzle Sprint
February 23, 7 p.m., Library, Free
All hail will break loose as 16 teams compete to complete their 500-piece puzzle first, with prizes for those who ice the competition for first, second or third place. Snacks and a non-alcoholic drink will be provided. Outside food, beer and wine are permitted. Registration required and space is limited. Intended for those 18 years and older.
Register

Euchre Tournament
Feb. 25, 11 a.m., Community Center, $20/team
Pick a partner and join the Recreation Center’s inaugural euchre tournament. Top 3 winners get a payout. Bracketing will be determined by the total number of teams playing. Snacks and drinks will be provided plus we’ll have the Iowa vs. Illinois women’s basketball game on at noon and Iowa vs. Oklahoma State wrestling meet on at 2 p.m.

Conversational English Group
Mondays beginning Feb. 26, 6 p.m., Library, Free
All English language learners are welcome to join us weekly for a friendly, relaxed group to practicing speaking and listen to the language. Snacks will be provided. No registration required.

Families

No School Open Swim
Feb. 9, 1-4 p.m., Aquatic Center, $2 for children / $4 for adults
Join us for open swimming during a day off of school.

Two-for-One Open Swim
Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m., Aquatic Center, One at regular price; one free
Bring a friend to the pool for free!