Oskaloosa
Around Oskaloosa
Photo: H. Michael Miley from Schaumburg, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Iowa · 22k people
Oskaloosa
Locals say Osky · “Osky”
Where the prairie meets the heartland.
William Penn University goldWilliam Penn University navy
Welcome to Osky! Whether you're here for the fair, the lake, or just the friendly folks on the square, you'll find a warm Iowa welcome. Come for the tenderloins, stay for the sweet corn.
Clubs for Oskaloosa
No clubs for Oskaloosa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Oskaloosa. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Oskaloosa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mahaska County Courthouse Historic courthouse anchoring the town square.
- Lake Keomah State Park Lake with swimming, boating, and camping.
- Edmundson Park Community park with trails, pool, and sports fields.
- Nelson Pioneer Farm and Museum Living history farm with pioneer artifacts.
- Oskaloosa City Square Historic downtown square with shops and events.
- Southern Iowa Fairgrounds Home of the county fair and other events.
- Outdoors Swim and fish at Lake Keomah
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Edmundson Park
- With kids Visit the Nelson Pioneer Farm
- With kids Take the kids to the county fair
- Evenings Catch a show at the What Cheer Opera House
- Evenings Grab a drink at a local pub
- Locals love Diner breakfasts
- Locals love County fair nights
Through the year
- Southern Iowa Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and food stands.
- Oskaloosa Art on the Square June Annual arts and crafts show around the courthouse square.
- Sigourney Sweet Corn Days August Celebration of local sweet corn with food and games.
- Montezuma Old Settlers Day September Small-town celebration with parade and activities.
- Oskaloosa Farmers Market Summer Weekly summer market on the square with local produce and crafts.
Humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Osky”
- Oskaloosa
- “the square”
- Downtown Oskaloosa, especially the courthouse square
- “the lake”
- Lake Keomah State Park
- “the fair”
- Southern Iowa Fair
Getaways
- Pella Charming town with a canal, windmill, and unique shops.
- Ottumwa River town with the Bridge View Center and historic district.
- Des Moines Iowa's capital with museums, dining, and nightlife.
- Iowa City Home of the University of Iowa, with a lively downtown and arts scene.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA), Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Sweet corn Iowa's signature summer crop, a local staple.
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A classic Iowa sandwich, often breaded and fried.
- Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich A regional chain known for its seasoned ground beef on a bun.
Where people go
- Small-town diners Classic eateries serving home-style meals and pie.
- County fairs Annual gatherings with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Historic town square The central hub with local shops, a courthouse, and community events.
- Cornfields and farmland The surrounding agricultural landscape that defines the region.
Heritage and traditions
Oskaloosa and its surrounding towns are proud of their deep agricultural roots, historic town squares, and the close-knit, friendly small-town Iowa way of life.
Say it like a local: “Uff da” — An expression of surprise or weariness, from Scandinavian influence
Festivals
- Pioneer Days at Nelson Pioneer Farm September Step back in time with blacksmithing, pioneer crafts, and farm demonstrations.
Landmarks with a story
- Sigourney Carnegie Library One of the many Carnegie libraries built in Iowa at the turn of the 20th century.
Food traditions
- Church basement soup suppers Community churches host weekly soup suppers in winter, a warm gathering tradition.
- Homemade pie at the county fair Local bakers compete for blue ribbons with fruit pies, a fair staple.
- Sauerkraut and bratwurst from German heritage German settlers brought these dishes, still served at community gatherings and church picnics.
Music and arts
- Quilting Local quilters create traditional patterns, often displayed at the fair and in community centers.
- Community band concerts Summer concerts in the park feature local musicians, a beloved tradition.
A little history
- 1844 Oskaloosa founded
- Late 1800s Coal mining boom in What Cheer
- 1886 Mahaska County Courthouse built
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones The big in-state college rivalry.
- Oskaloosa vs Pella Local high school football and basketball.
- Oskaloosa vs Ottumwa Cross-town and cross-county matchups.
- Game day Friday night football
- Game day High school basketball
- Outdoors Ice fishing on Lake Keomah
- With kids Feeding the ducks at Edmundson Park
- With kids Riding bikes around the square
Locals speak with a neutral Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and using 'ope' as a polite interjection. The pronunciation of 'Oskaloosa' is 'oss-kuh-LOO-suh', and 'What Cheer' is said as 'wut CHEER' with a hard 'ch'.
Only here
- The town name What Cheer—unique from an old English greeting.
- Oskaloosa's name from the Ioway language, meaning 'black bear' or similar.
- The Southern Iowa Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the state.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for cold winters—invest in a good coat and boots.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner.
- Visit the historic square and say hello to people—they're friendly.
- Learn to pronounce 'Oskaloosa' as 'oss-kuh-LOO-suh'.
- Get used to driving on gravel roads if you're outside town.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Des Moines area
Nearby
Every areaPellaIowaLocal rooms for Pella.OttumwaIowaWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallGrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.FairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.CentervilleIowaWhere the fields roll and the welcome is warmMarshalltownIowaWhere the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.Des MoinesIowaWhere the heartland meets the fairIowa CityIowaWhere the river meets the page.
Oskaloosa, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.