A Wild Meeting! Rotary Club of Davenport Gathers at the Mississippi Valley Fair — with a Very Special Guest
The Rotary Club of Davenport traded its usual meeting space for the sights and sounds of the fairgrounds on August 3, 2026, hosting its weekly meeting at the Mississippi Valley Fair — and welcoming a guest unlike any the club has seen before: an African serval cat.
A Wild Meeting! Rotary Club of Davenport Gathers at the Mississippi Valley Fair — with a Very Special Guest
The Rotary Club of Davenport traded its usual meeting space for the sights and sounds of the fairgrounds on August 3, 2026, hosting its weekly meeting at the Mississippi Valley Fair — and welcoming a guest unlike any the club has seen before: an African serval cat.
The serval, a sleek, spotted wild cat native to Africa, stole the show. With its striking coat, oversized ears, and long legs, the animal made for an unforgettable centerpiece to the meeting and a reminder that Rotary gatherings are never short on surprises. Members enjoyed a rare, up-close look at the exotic feline alongside its handler — a highlight that had everyone reaching for their cameras.
Holding the meeting at the fairgrounds was a fitting way to kick off fair week. The 2026 Mississippi Valley Fair runs August 4–9 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on West Locust Street in Davenport, and it remains one of the true hallmarks of summer in the Quad Cities. As the saying goes, "if summer in the Quad Cities has a heartbeat, it's the Mississippi Valley Fair." Each year the fair brings the community together for grandstand concerts from national headliners, dozens of regional acts across multiple stages, livestock and 4-H/FFA exhibits, carnival rides, fair food, and family entertainment — a beloved tradition that celebrates the region's agricultural roots while delivering six days of summer fun.
About the Rotary Club of Davenport
The Rotary Club of Davenport — Club #34 in Rotary District 6000 — has been a proud part of the Quad Cities community for generations. As part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million members and more than 46,000 clubs worldwide, the club is dedicated to "Service Above Self," bringing together local leaders and neighbors who want to make a difference. Through hands-on service projects, scholarships, youth leadership programs, community partnerships, and support for causes at home and around the world, Davenport Rotarians work to improve lives in the Quad Cities and beyond.
Meetings like this one — equal parts fellowship, fun, and community connection — are a big part of what makes Rotary special. And with a guest as memorable as an African serval, this is one weekly meeting members won't soon forget!