Contributed photo The 2026 State Center Rose Festival queen candidates, left to right: Ashley Buck, Ciomara Villela, Alexandra Lasack and Mia Christianson.

STATE CENTER — For nearly 70 years, the celebration of roses and community spirit has been a tradition in State Center. The 68th annual Rose Festival returns Thursday, with a lineup that includes food, vendors, music, kids’ activities, local history, and more.

Thursday, June 18

Festivities kick off with the Rose Queen Pageant and Talent Show, held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the West Marshall High School Auditorium. This year’s candidates are: Ashley Buck, Ciomara Villela, Alexandra Lasack and Mia Christianson. Rose Festival Coordinator Buffi Honeck said the pageant has several components. Candidates will each take to the stage for an interview, and the three judges will evaluate their composure and presence. The young ladies also write an essay on what their goals or projects in the community would be, if selected as the queen. They will also put on a talent show.

“The judges do a final interview, just one-on-one with them, and ask them questions. So, based on the three judges, and based on the total scores by all three judges, that determines the overall winner. There’s also a talent winner and an essay winner,” she said. “One person could win multiple awards.”

Following, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. will be the Kids’ Rose Glow Fun Run. (Starts and ends at the State Center Fitness parking lot).

“It’s crazy how much it’s grown. The first year we had maybe 30 kids, and then last year I had just shy of 100 kiddos show up,” she said.

All ages are welcome and everyone gets glow sticks, glow bracelets and glow necklaces. Participants do laps around downtown and the police department provides UV lights and music. Free ice cream bars to follow.

Friday, June 19

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Heart of Iowa Farmers Market will be set up on Main Street. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy a pulled pork/rib dinner fundraiser on the northeast corner of the Rose Garden.

“The money goes back into the BBQ. It’s self-sustaining. We generate revenue to put on a barbecue based on entry fees, and then this fundraiser, and then there’s other donations toward the barbecue that then get paid out to the participants of the BBQ contest,” Honeck said.

Uptown Friday Teen Night will go from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with street games and music on East Main Street.

The Rose Queen Coronation will begin at 7 p.m. at the Rose Garden (moved to high school auditorium if inclement weather). Also selected during that time is Little Miss Rosebud. Candidates in kindergarten through third grade are eligible to apply, attending West Marshall Elementary School, ACRE school, or home schooled. Winner is selected via random drawing.

A free concert called “Rockin’ the Rose Garden,” featuring Hat Trick, will go from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

There will also be a movie in the Rose Garden, starting at 9:30 p.m. A grand fireworks show starts around 9:45 p.m.

Saturday, June 20

The Lincoln Valley Ladies Golf Association Breakfast at the city hall community room is set for 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Rose Festival 5k starts at the police department at 7:30 a.m.

The Presbyterian Church homemade pie sale will go from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The Friends of the Gutekunst Public Library book sale will be situated in the library’s garage from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Road Hog’s Bar Bloody Mary Bar will open inside, with the beer garden outside, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Funnel Cakes 4 Trojan Tots Stand goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Watson’s Grocery Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The grand parade will start at 10 a.m. Honeck noted that the Lion’s Club float will carry the queen, while the other candidates will follow in convertibles. Fill out the form online to register, or email statecenterrosefestival@gmail.com. Parade entry fee is $20 per space. Non-profits do not pay for entry.

The Extreme Rides Zone has a flat fee of $10 to enter. Kids can enjoy a rock climbing wall, inflatables, extreme rides, laser tag and obstacle course on the elementary school lawn.

“They don’t have to mess around with asking mom and dad for more money and can do everything there as much as they want,” she added.

The West Marshall baseball games at Schilling Field will span 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The coed slow pitch softball tournament at Brookside Park is set from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Elevation PAC Dance will perform in front of 125 W. Main Street from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

GameOn DSM Mobile Game Truck will be set up in front of the fire station from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also during that timeframe, enjoy a BBQ pork sandwich lunch in front of city hall, proceeds benefit the Rose Festival.

The SCPD’s 15th annual classic car show, held south of Main Street, will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rose Zone Kids Activities at Gutekunst Public Library will go from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include free face painting, Shriner’s spin art, Tulip the Clown and Friends balloons, tin can train rides and Blank Children’s Hospital Smoke Trailer.

Bingo will cost one dollar a game, held from noon to 3 p.m. on West Main Street.

“We just split the pot 50/50. The winner gets half, then the rest goes back to the Rose Festival,” she noted.

One Room School House Spelling Bees will go every 15 minutes on Main Street/ Third Ave. East. All ages are welcome to participate. This will go from noon to 3 p.m.

The Kiddie Tractor Pull on Main Street will span 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Car Show Burnout Pit is set for 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Second Ave. southwest.

“That was something they added last year. There will be a barricaded area where I can come in with my car and just sit there and burn out my tires and create lots of smoke and look really cool,” she said with a laugh. “A lot of people enjoyed it last year.”

Register for the bags tournament, starting at 12:30 p.m., in front of Road Hog’s Bar, with the action going from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The West Marshall Softball Tournament at West Marshall High School Softball Complex is slated for 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The KCBS BBQ Competition Awards will be given out from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., south of the library.

From 8 p.m. to midnight will be the Road Hog’s Bar street dance, featuring Jordan Beem.

Sunday, June 21

The final day of the Rose Festival will feature one event: a community church service at the Rose Garden from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Rain location will be St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

To learn more, visit: statecenterrosefestival.org.