Welcome to Pleasantville

Located just 25 miles southeast of Des Moines in central Marion County, Iowa, Pleasantville offers a a small-town feel with large town amenities.

With the variety of services, businesses, restaurants and more in Pleasantville, we encourage you to visit and take a look around to see what our community offers!

Featured Business

From it's humble beginnings in a rented building with only 10 tables, Checkerboard Restaurant has grown into being a staple of Pleasantville, IA. The restaurant has been passed through the family for almost 40 years. Since it opened, family has been bussing tables and helping out customers.

Checkerboard's homemade onions are considered a specialty. Fresh onions, battered and fried to mouthwatering perfection!

Visit their web site at www.checkerboardrestaurant.net or call them at 515.848.3742

Pleasantville 4th of July Celebrations

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating that "the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

Three months later, the flag is flown in battle for the first time, during a Revolutionary War skirmish at Cooch's Bridge, Maryland. In honor of the 240th anniversary of the United States flag, the theme for this year’s parade was Star-spangled Salute for the Red, White, and Blue.

4th of July Celebrations in Pleasantville started with the Flag Raising at the Memorial Hall, hosted by the Pleasantville American Legion. Josie Beyer sang the National Anthem, and Colonel James. M. Fredregill provided the Welcome. Sandy Martin discussed flag etiquette, and Zeda Burrell finished the flag raising ceremony by singing patriotic songs.

After the Flag Raising and the morning Pet Show, there was the annual Parade. Check out this video on YouTube for a view of the parade you've never seen before! A special thank you to Jimmy Tyree at TAPTIV UAS for sharing this video with us!

The activities at Cora Shadle Park were a huge success this year with the Iowa Beer Bus, Red Rock Catering, Good Vibes Food Truck & Catering, and Sally Ann's Homemade Ice Cream helping to feed the crowds. The Joe Inman & Co. band took the stage at 7:00 p.m. and entertained everyone until dusk, when the fireworks began. As usual, the Pleasantville Fire and EMS did an outstanding job with the fireworks again this!

For a few pictures from the day's activites, check out our Facebook page.

Best of the Red Rock Area

Congratulations to Checkerboard Restaurant! They were recognized as one of the Top 10 Places for Food & Drinks in Marion County and received awards for the Best Appetizer and Best Family Restaurant.

For a menu or more information about the Checkerboard Restaurant, visit their web site at www.checkerboardrestaurant.net or call them at 515.848.3742.

The Pleasantville Pig Out and 4th of July Celebrations in Pleasantville were also recognized as Top 10 Events in Marion County for 2016.

Carla Eysink, Director of the Marion County Development Commission, presented the "Best of the Red Rock Area" 2016 awards at a ceremony held at Central College in Pella.

Voting begins February 1st for 2017 "Best of the Red Rock Area" and runs through November 1. Vote online at http://www.redrockarea.com/bestofredrock/.

Checkerboard Receives Iowa Tourism Office and Travel Federation of Iowa Award

Congratulations to Checkerboard Restaurant! The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry at a ceremony in Davenport during the 2016 Iowa Tourism Conference. Checkerboard received the Outstanding Dining Business award in the rural category.

"Iowa's tourism industry is full of hard-working, passionate people dedicated to delivering our legendary warm hospitality and providing travelers with lifelong memories," said Shawna Lode, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. "These awards truly honor the best of the best."

"There is no higher award in the state for tourism excellence,” said Keith Rahe, president of the Travel Federation of Iowa. “We're pleased to recognize these recipients for their extraordinary efforts."

For a menu or more information about the Checkerboard Restaurant, visit their web site at www.checkerboardrestaurant.net or call them at 515.848.3742.