Top Ten Iowa Traditions That Are Long Gone

Things have changed pretty dramatically in the past few decades. Thanks to the digital revolution, many once commonplace things have all but vanished now.

Here's a list of 10 Iowa traditions that are now all but forgotten in the Hawkeye State.

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1) A Good Old Fashioned Barn Dance

Barn Dances were once so common, that almost every small town had one. Now, they're a rarity in Iowa, if not a novelty.

2) Sunday Dinner at the Table

Or was it supper for you? These Sunday night gatherings were once almost mandatory in the state of Iowa. Now, sadly, they are much more rare.

3) Plow Matches

Farmers and teams of draft horses competed to see who could plow the straightest furrow. These events showcased skill and provided bragging rights within rural communities. These days, Tractor Pulls and historical reenactments help keep this rural Iowa tradition alive.

4) Farm Auctions

Of course, Farm Auctions still exist but they were a huge deal back in the 20th century. Farm Auctions were a gathering place for the entire community. When farms closed or families relocated, auctions were held to sell livestock, machinery, and personal items. These were both practical and social events, often attracting large crowds.

5) Crop Blessings

Many farming communities held ceremonies or prayers to bless the crops before planting or harvest. These often reflected the religious makeup of the community, such as Catholic Rogation Days.

6) Husking Bees/Corn Shucking Contests

Before modern farming, husking bees were social gatherings where neighbors came together to shuck corn by hand. They often turned into lively competitions, with prizes or playful “penalties” for the winners and losers. hese events combined the labor of farming with entertainment and courtship, as they were popular among young people. Corn festivals now feature contests that harken back to this tradition.

7) Quilting Bees

Quilting bees were common among farming families. Women gathered to create quilts for weddings, babies, or other major events. They offered a creative outlet, shared knowledge, and provided social bonds in often-isolated farming communities. Quilting Bees aren't completely gone from the Hawkeye State, but these days, they are exceedingly rare.

8) Harvest Festivals

Make no mistake, Harvest Festivals are still a thing. But 50 years ago, they were THE thing. End-of-harvest celebrations, like threshing dinners or fall suppers, were traditional ways to mark the end of hard work.

9) Chivarees

A noisy, raucous celebration for newlyweds, chivarees were a rural tradition where community members gathered outside the couple’s home on their wedding night to bang pots, blow horns, and generally create chaos. The newlyweds were often "kidnapped" or required to host the group in exchange for ending the noise.

Changing social norms and a shift toward more private and formal wedding celebrations contributed to the decline of this practice. It was also seen as intrusive by some couples as attitudes about personal space and privacy evolved.

10) Threshing Bees