What a weekend! Hairy Nation Days 2025 brought sunshine, smiles, and a deep sense of community pride to downtown Bloomfield. From historic tours to kids games and live music, every part of the event was filled with something special — and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our volunteers, local businesses, and attendees.
Why “Hairy Nation Days”?
If you’ve ever wondered why Bloomfield’s summer celebration has such a unique name, it goes back to our roots. The term “Hairy Nation” was historically used to describe the fierce, independent spirit of people who lived in the southern Iowa and northern Missouri borderlands in the mid-1800s — including the early settlers of Davis County. What began as a colorful nickname became a badge of pride, representing resilience, grit, and community spirit — the same values we still celebrate today.
Graphics provided by: Rudy Evans
Thank You, Volunteers & Sponsors
Behind every booth, banner, and schedule was a team of dedicated volunteers who gave their time and energy to make Hairy Nation Days happen. Months of planning went into this event, from logistics to late-night brainstorming sessions. A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who lent a hand — whether you helped set up tents, managed registrations, or ran sound at the courthouse stage.
We especially want to recognize all our volunteers who logged hours with us. Your commitment is what keeps events like this thriving. If you haven’t yet recorded your time, please don’t forget to submit your hours!
Local Businesses Make It Fun for Kids
This year, we saw incredible participation from our downtown businesses, many of which hosted games for children on the square. From life size operation to ball tosses, these pop-up activities created countless memories for local families. Thank you for investing in the next generation’s love for Main Street and community events.
New Activities Debut in 2025
This year’s Hairy Nation Days featured exciting new additions that helped us connect more deeply with Bloomfield’s history and each other:
- 🧭 This year we introduced our first-ever Downtown Scavenger Hunt — and it was a hit! Over the course of the week leading up to Hairy Nation Days, participants explored Bloomfield’s businesses and landmarks, snapping selfies, solving clues, and uncovering hidden gems. With 17 local businesses taking part, the hunt offered a fun, interactive way to discover just how much Bloomfield has to offer. From unique shops to historic details, there was something surprising around every corner!
- 🏛️ “Share the Square” Historic Walking Tour: Guided by local experts, this tour brought the stories of Bloomfield’s square to life — from original storefronts to long-lost businesses.🎱 Community Bingo at By the Hearth
- Hosted for the first time in the cozy event space at By the Hearth Bookshop, our new Main Street Bingo Night was run entirely by the Bloomfield High School Committee — and they did an outstanding job! With a full house, lively atmosphere, and prizes that celebrated local flair, it was the perfect mix of friendly competition and small-town fun. We’re already looking forward to bringing it back next year!
Event Highlights
- 🏃♀️ 5K Run/Walk: We had just over 90 participants lace up for this year’s Hairy Nation 5K. Whether running for a PR or walking with family, everyone brought energy and enthusiasm to the course.
- 🧔 Beard & Mustache Competition: A true crowd favorite! Our facial-hair showdown had multiple categories — from “Fullest Beard” to “Most Creative Stache” — and drew participants from across the county. You’d better believe the Hairy Nation name was proudly represented!
Looking Ahead
Hairy Nation Days continues to grow, and every year we are amazed by the passion this community brings. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, this event celebrates the history, people, and future of Bloomfield.
Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, or simply came out to enjoy the weekend. We would love to hear what you thought of our event this year, if you could fill out a quick survey we would greatly appreciate it! We can’t wait to celebrate again in 2026!
Stay hairy, Bloomfield.
Photos provided by: Bloomfield Democrat, Madi Bridgman, Sabrina Yahnke, and Jen Cutler