ISU's Insect Zoo will host a Bug Village open house Saturday, Aug. 27 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Advanced Teaching and Research Building, public parking in lots 30, 33 and 35). That evening (6-10 p.m.), an insect collecting event will be held at Carr Park, Meadowlane Ave. in east Ames); wear bug spray and bring bug collection jars. Both events are free, and the public is welcome.
Reiman Gardens and the Iowa Quilters Guild will host the 12th annual Garden Quilt Fair Aug. 26-27 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Aug. 28 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) indoors at Reiman Gardens. The event includes a juried show of garden-themed quilts, quilt demonstrations for novice and experienced quilters and a vendor fair. Guests pay regular gardens admission.
Music faculty members will open the academic year with their annual fanfare concert Sunday afternoon (3 p.m., Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, Estes Music Hall). Admission is free.
To introduce the university's new state-of-the-art, off-road vehicle chassis dynamometer, Iowa State faculty will host preview days Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1 (3-5 p.m. daily, BioCentury Research Farm, 1327 U Ave.). The dynamometer is in its final stage of commissioning.