Now is the time that our community must step-up to actively support Hoover’s Hometown Days in order for the traditional event to continue in West Branch. After the successful 2023 event on August 4-5, Hoover’s Hometown Days will no longer be coordinated or funded by the City of West Branch Government due to necessary budget cuts caused by legislative changes at the state level. This decision was formally made in June by City Council. 

We hope to carry on the tradition with a committee of volunteer leaders, continued sponsor support and collaboration with local non-profit organizations including Main Street West Branch, Hoover Presidential Foundation, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, West Branch Fire Department Foundation, West Branch Lions Club and Whitney’s Wings.

To maintain this tradition we ideally need to raise approximately $20k-$30k in seed money to replace City funding (in addition to the generous sponsors that we hope will continue to support the event each year). A GoFundMe page has been created to help gather financial support and allow for plans to begin for the 2024 event. City Council has earmarked $10,000 towards this goal to help the new committee transition. Supporters are invited to make a donation online at https://gofund.me/26c9037c or by scanning the QR code below.  Checks can also be sent to Main Street West Branch with “Hoover’s Hometown Days” in the memo line (PO Box 786).  

This is the funding that helps provide beloved elements of the event like free bounce houses and inflatables, bubble stations, balloon artists, and live music on Main Street and at the Fire Station. It’s also key to the festival overall by paying for required items like permits, insurance, power, signage, marketing, etc. that help pull together events happening throughout town to create a cohesive event for thousands of people to enjoy.

The vision is that Hoover’s Hometown Days will become financially self-sustaining and continue to give attendees an experience that integrates recreation, education, heritage, and community. The celebration aims to foster collaboration and volunteerism while supporting local and inspiring hometown pride.

Donations will be managed by Main Street West Branch as the new committee is formalized. Main Street West Branch is a 501c3 non-profit and volunteer-driven organization. To join the planning committee visit hooverdays.org/volunteer.  Committee meetings will begin in early September.

For more information contact Jessi Simon, Main Street Executive Director at 319-643-7100 or email HHTD Committee Chair, Tiffany Frederick at hooverdayswb@gmail.com. 

Event Schedule

Gather the kids for a day of good ol’ fashioned family fun! West Branch is just 6 miles from Iowa City on I-80 and Hoover’s Hometown Days includes something for everyone.

Start the day with the Mayor’s Parade at 10am and stick around to enjoy bounce houses, inflatable games, giant bubble stations and a balloon artist in Village Green. Eat, Shop & Explore local businesses and tons of vendors and food trucks throughout our historic Main Street. Stroll through the National Park to learn from park rangers, watch historic reenactments and enjoy a Dog Show!
Cool off with free entry into the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum and enjoy a birthday cupcakes on your way out. Plus, participate in water ball fights at the Fire Station, play Bingo and watch live music throughout the day and night.

PSA for Parents: There’s excellent coffee and numerous beer gardens available too!

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄!

Title Sponsors: Advantage Builders/BP Station, Heritage Hill and US Autoforce.

Family Fun Sponsors: Chris & Lisa Kofoed, Hills Bank, West Branch Lions Club, Plastic Products, Fidelity Bank & Trust, Barnhart’s Custom Services LLC, and Croell Inc.

Hoover-Ball National Championships

Hoover-Ball is a unique game invented by President Herbert Hoover’s personal physician, Joel T. Boone to keep the president fit. Since then, it has now become a beloved activity in our community where we host the Hoover-Ball Championships each year during Hoover’s Hometown Days! Find a full schedule of festival activities at hooverdays.org.

The Adult tournament plays on Saturday, August 5 in West Branch. There are two divisions: Men and Women. Each team must have a minimum of three players and may have one or two substitutes. Learn how to play or review the full rules at 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓-𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍.𝒐𝒓𝒈.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
It is $25 for advance registration 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰 (until August 4 at Noon) or $35 for walk-up registration available from 8 – 8:45 a.m on event day. Each team member may register separately or a team member can purchase tickets for the whole team (they will need to know shirt sizes for each player).

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
1st Place – $150 Cash, Medals, and team member names on the trophy that is permanently displayed.
2nd Place – $100 Cash & Medals.
3rd Place – $75 Cash & Medals.

𝐓-𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐬:
For those not playing, t-shirts are available for pre-order for $20 until July 20. We will have shirts available for purchase while supplies last.

𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫!
100% of the proceeds from Hoover-Ball go back into the community through Whitney’s Wings! Whitney’s Wings mission is to Spread Joy. They provide free family fun and a space to request items in need (diapers, groceries, etc.). They serve low-income and underserved families in West Branch, West Liberty, Tipton, Muscatine, and surrounding smaller communities.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀:
Partner Home Advantage, Marcy Willier with the Bails Team at Urban Acres, Browns West Branch Dealership, West Branch Roofing and Barnhart Custom Services

Youth Hoover Ball

Hoover-Ball is a unique game invented by President Herbert Hoover’s personal physician, Joel T. Boone to keep the president fit. Since then, it has now become a beloved activity in our community where we host the Hoover-Ball Championships each year during Hoover’s Hometown Days! Find a full schedule of festival activities at hooverdays.org. Learn how to play or review the full rules at 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓-𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍.𝒐𝒓𝒈.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲?
The Youth Hoover-Ball tournament is open to students entering grades 4-9, as detailed below. 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓, there are now four youth divisions and the break-down is as follows:

Division I (co-ed) – students entering grades 4/5 (4-5 players per team)
Division II (co-ed) – students entering grades 6/7 (4-5 players per team)
Division III Female – female students entering grades 8/9 (3-5 players per team)
Division III Male – male students entering grades 8/9 (3-5 players per team)
For DIII – A minimum of three female and three male teams required. If we have less than three teams each, we will combine the Female and Male divisions.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:
Every participant will receive an athletic drawstring backpack. Teams placing 1st through 3rd place will receive medals!

Youth Hoover-Ball is Free with a Donation. Donation amounts are not defined – any amount is appreciated! 100% of the proceeds go back into the community to provide Free Family Fun through Whitney’s Wings, a local nonprofit based out of West Branch. Whitney’s Wings is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and donations are tax deductible.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀:
Partner Home Advantage, Marcy Willier with the Bails Team at Urban Acres, Fidelity Bank & Trust, Browns West Branch Dealership, WB Lions Club and Barnhart Custom Services.

Jake McVey

Friday 8 – 11:30 PM – Fire Station Stage

Jake McVey describes himself as “just a good Iowa boy with a great work ethic” and has earned himself a reputation as a compelling performer who combines upbeat music and youthful enthusiasm with a seasoned eye for reading a crowd. He’s shared the stage with some of country’s most acclaimed acts, including Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Dierks Bentley.

This FREE concert will kick off the 2023 Hoover’s Hometown Days festival in West Branch, Iowa. All ages are welcome. Free will donations are encouraged. Food and beer sales benefit the West Branch Fire Department.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬!
Title Sponsors: Heritage Hill, US Autoforce and Advantage Builders/BP Station
Stage Sponsor: West Branch Animal Clinic

Wheel Hoss

Saturday 11 AM – 12:30 PM – Main Street Stage

Wheel Hoss is a 4-piece acoustic band playing bluegrass music for all ages to enjoy! Wheel Hoss performed regularly at clubs, weddings, parties and bluegrass festivals throughout the Midwest from 1980-1984. Their bootleg cassette “Live at the Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery” has long been sought after by bluegrass aficionados far and wide and is now considered a classic. They reassembled in 2016 to jam and had so much fun they began booking the occasional show. Don’t miss this performance on the Main Street Stage during Hoover’s Hometown Days.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬!
Title Sponsors: Heritage Hill, US Autoforce and Advantage Builders/BP Station
Main Street Stage Sponsors: Altorfer Ag and Veenstra & Kimm Inc.

Smith Studio Jazz

Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 – Hoover Stage

Smith Studio Jazz is a 20-piece big band playing jazz classics, lesser-known gems, and songs from other genres of popular music. Whether playing a tune written by Cole Porter or Herbie Hancock, SSJ’s goal is to have fun while creating a family-friendly party atmosphere for the audience. Suzanne Smith directs, while vocalist and emcee Joe Bauer belts out Sinatra signature melodies, plus jazz and blues favorites for SSJ’s loyal fans.

This performance will take place on the Hoover Stage located in Downey Trace within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Brittany Sword

Saturday 2 – 4 PM – Main Street Stage

Brittany Sword is an American Indie Rock singer-songwriter from Oskaloosa Iowa. Her newest EP release in 2022 titled “Colors” has received praise by music lovers from all over the world! She plays familiar favorites as well as new sultry original’s you’re sure to love! Her light and positive personality paired with her percussive guitar style playing, makes for an other worldly and upbeat performance you can get lost in. Don’t miss this performance on the Main Street Stage during Hoover’s Hometown Days.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬!
Title Sponsors: Heritage Hill, US Autoforce and Advantage Builders/BP Station
Main Street Stage Sponsors: Altorfer Ag and Veenstra & Kimm Inc.

The Getaway City Band

Saturday 8 – 11:45 PM – Fire Station Stage

Eastern Iowa’s Finest Blues and Classic Rock band featuring the music of CCR, SRV, the 60s & 70s. Beer garden will be open all day, hot dogs/burgers available.

FREE ADMISSION. All ages are welcome. Free will donations are encouraged. Food and beer sales benefit the West Branch Fire Department.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬!
Title Sponsors: Heritage Hill, US Autoforce and Advantage Builders/BP Station
Stage Sponsor: West Branch Animal Clinic