Pufferbilly Days

INTRODUCING THE 2026 PUFFERBILLY DAYS LOGO 👕AND PARADE APPLICATION 📝

The Pufferbilly Committee proudly presents the 2026 Pufferbilly Days Logo created by Boone Resident and Graphic Designer, Natalie Lang 🎨

See below the Impact Statement from Natalie:

"When developing the visual direction for the 2026 Pufferbilly Days Celebration, the goal was to honor Boone's rich history while also reflecting on the Community's Forward Momentum. The design intentionally evokes nostalgia, reminding viewers of joyful memories associated with past Pufferbilly Events, while still feeling fresh and relevant.

To support the "Through the Decades" Theme, the concept incorporates retro-inspired pairings and historical visual influences, balanced with an updated, vibrant color palette that celebrates every part of Boone Today. A key priority was including visual references to Boone's Railroad Heritage. Together, these elements create a cohesive brand that bridges Past, Present, and Future."

Additionally, the Parade Application is LIVE‼️Grab your Spot in the 50th Celebration TODAY 🥳
Parade Application Link 🔗
https://pci.jotform.com/form/261625551590155

Kicking off the Weekend with 2 more Exciting Vendor Opportunities for Pufferbilly 2026 🎉The 50th Anniversary will be held Friday, September 18th - Sunday, September 20th 📅

Downtown Market 🛍️
Saturday, September 19 · 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Details & Application Here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftJ6B1DB3sXiJazGkaM1y-59aqUc6D6oxOzHMANEEDQ5BGFw/viewform

Food Truck Vendors 🍔
Friday, September 18 · 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday, September 19 · 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Details & Application Here 👉
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerk4z5NOgelPhqmBQ05ZiAwgSTfUG7MShBpbYVLgk7eDzGww/viewform

Who’s Ready?! 🎸😍🥳

BOONE, IA - Save the date and make your plans to join us at the 50TH ANNUAL PUFFERBILLY DAYS in Downtown Boone! We are so excited to play this fantastic festival🙌 Pufferbilly Days

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🪩 Pufferbilly Days Through the Decades 🪩 Art in the Park Vendor Sign-Up Now Open! 🎨

Calling all makers, bakers, growers, and creators! 🧑‍🎨 Be part of Art in the Park at Pufferbilly Days Through the Decades — one of Boone’s most beloved annual Festivals! 🎉 Celebrate 50 Years of our longest-running Community Celebration 🥳

🗓 Art in the Park:
Sunday 9/20 - 10AM-3PM
📍 Location: McHose Park

👉 Apply here:

Pufferbilly Days Art in the Park Vendor Application Event Details: Date: Sunday September 20, 2026 Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm McHose Park - 1215 Francis Mason Dr, Boone, IA 50036 Live Music + Food Trucks + Handmade/Homegrown Vendors! Booth Information: Booth Size: 10'x10' Vendors must provide tables, chairs, and necessary displays. Electricity is not ava...

📣 Pufferbilly Days 2026 Announcement 📣

👉Festival Dates
👉Headliner
👉Grand Marshalls

Boone, IA - April 20, 2026 - The Pufferbilly Days Festival Committee is thrilled to unveil the exciting lineup of events and entertainment scheduled for the 50th Anniversary of Pufferbilly Days celebration, set to take place on: Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Established in 1976, the Pufferbilly Days Festival has become a beloved tradition in Boone, IA, celebrating the town's rich rail history and vibrant community spirit! To commemorate 50 years of Pufferbilly Fun, the theme for this year's Festival is "Through the Decades."

This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a diverse range of activities and entertainment for all ages. The highlight of the weekend will be Saturday Night’s live DOUBLE performance featuring Back in Black and 90's Rock Show.

Back in Black is the #1 AC/DC Cover Band in the Country with over 50k Followers. For over 20 years, Back in Black have been dedicated to bringing the sound, look, and capturing the raw power and excitement of AC/DC to audiences across the nation and beyond. So authentic that AC/DC auditioned their Singer, Darren Caperna, to replace Brian Johnson for their current world tour in 2016! This experience and their history are shared in “My Stupid Tribute Band," an award-winning music documentary released in 2023.

90s Rockshow is the only 90's tribute band with a live string section! From Orange County California, 90's Rockshow brings to life the alternative and grunge hits of bands like Nirvana, No Doubt, Alanis Morrissette, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Green Day, Blink 182, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Sublime, Third Eye Blind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, The Foo Fighters, Goo Goo Dolls, Oasis, and many more. Grab your flannel shirts, lace up your Doc Martens, and prepare to journey back to the golden age of the 1990's!

In addition to the stellar entertainment lineup, the Pufferbilly Days Festival is proud to announce Holly Larson and Stan Moffitt as this year's Grand Marshalls. Holly is one of the originators of the Festival 50 years ago! She was the owner of Holly's Clothing Store in Downtown Boone for decades and a valued member of the Festival Committee for years. Holly is retired and lives in Boone. Stan Moffitt is a long-time businessman and Boone Community Supporter. His family business is Moffitt Ford in Boone. Stan is retired and resides in Boone.

The Pufferbilly Team isn’t done with big announcements! Stay tuned for more about this year's event. As always, expect three days of Kids’ events on top of live entertainment, great food, quirky contests, Sunday’s Art in the Park, and more - all to celebrate Boone's robust history and our vibrant community!

Mark your calendars in September and join us for a weekend filled with fun and memories at the 2026 Pufferbilly Days Festival!

THANK YOU to everyone who came out for our Volunteer Appreciation Party🥳

Huge thank you to Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery - BOONE, IA for filling out stomachs and warming our hearts with Denny's Famous Chili, plus the cake (which I did not get a picture of) was wonderful- AND all gone by the end of the night.

We can't wait to celebrate 50 YEARS of PUFFERBILLY FESTIVITIES with the BEST volunteers in world!🎉

2025 Volunteers! We are excited to celebrate you and all the fun you bring to Pufferbillys Days🫶🥳
Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 29th for the Volunteer Appreciation Event at Tulips (lower level of the Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery - BOONE, IA). We'll see you there!

Pufferbilly Days is more than just a festival — it’s a celebration of our history, our community, and the people who call Boone County home. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity and commitment of our sponsors. From local businesses to community-minded organizations, you have shown that when we come together, we can create something truly special. Thank you for investing in Pufferbilly Days, for believing in our mission, and for helping us keep this beloved tradition alive for generations to come!

Fareway Stores
Boone County Hospital
City of Boone, Iowa
Landus
Mid Iowa Anesthesia and Pain services
Bayer
Boone Bank & Trust Co.
Boone, Iowa Rotary Club
Boone Vision Center
BomgaarsSupply
Bowers Digmann Financial
Bright Light Electric
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum
Builders FirstSource - Boone IA Yard
Condons
Elite Construction
Elite Outdoors
Forte Studios
Fortress Construction
Great Wind Pathfinder/ Apex Clean Energy
Groovy Hues Painting
Iowa Pork
ITC Holdings Corp.
KWBG AM 1590 and 101.5 FM
LIVE Hydration Spa Ames
MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union
Photon Laser Engraving LLC
Moffitt's Ford
Molitor Construction
Nerem & Associates Real Estate & Insurance
Pritchard Bros
Redekers Furniture
Saints Avenue Cafe
Stecker Concrete Inc.
TA’s Tree Service
DJ Nick Nystrom
United Bank of Iowa
Walmart
Zylstra Harley-Davidson
515 Co****le
ABATE of Iowa District - 25
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Boone Arts Advisory Board
Boone Community Theater
Tall Corn Car Club
Boone Ministerial Committee
Boone Soccer Club
Boone Boys Tennis
Bottled Bliss
Chase Decals
DKG Society of Boone
Downtown Boone
Iowa National Guard
Ogden Lions Club
Photon Laser Engraving LLC
Scott Amusements LLC
Spotted Dot Design & Photography
Union Pacific Railroad
Walters Sanitary Service

THANK YOU to WHO 13 News for coming to Pufferbilly Days and spotlighting how we celebrate our railroad history🚂🎉

https://who13.com/news/iowa-news/boone-celebrates-rail-heritage-with-handcar-races/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAM-MN9jbGNrAz4vzmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe2jPp7A7XguBpulzD43LHqBDz_Kilik_tzIb6j-i-Otp9C8zTjUo_qi95A6U_aem_avhEP2KrSiFpaVpAuF36kA

Boone celebrates rail heritage with handcar races BOONE, Iowa — This weekend there were many visitors for the annual Pufferbilly Days, a celebration of the town’s rail heritage. There is, of course, a parade and model railroad show. Ho…

A friend was found! He's resting and waiting for his family at Happy Lau's in the food court❤️