EXPLORE: Events and Festivals

By Jeff Pitts

Upcoming can’t-miss action of central Iowa. Summer in the city includes a butter cow, fine art, hot-air balloons, live music and seven tons of sweet corn. Can’t wait.


May


TBD: Nitefall on the River in downtown Des Moines along the river. The details for this series of popular outdoor music concerts was still being worked out as Explore Des Moines went to press. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and significant other to settle in for a relaxing — or a romantic — evening under the stars. www.nitefalldsm.com



May 20-23: Dew Tour  Skateboard Competition and Festival, Thursday-Sunday, in downtown Des Moines at Lauridsen Skatepark. More than 300 of the world’s top skateboarders compete for a chance to win the Dew Tour title while also earning points toward making their country’s Olympic team. This event will be the only global Olympic Qualifying event for Street and Park Skateboarding disciplines in the U.S. this year (2021) leading into the Tokyo Olympic Games in July, where skateboarding makes its debut as an Olympic event. For more information, visit www.DewTour.com.


May 28: Adventureland’s Adventure Bay water park opens for season pass holders on Friday, May 28, and then on Saturday,
May 29 for the general public, in Altoona
at 3200 Adventureland Drive;
www.adventurelandresort.com


May 28-30: Boone Iowa River Valley Festival in Boone County. Night Ranger, Skid Row, Great White and other top bands play during Memorial Day weekend at Seven Oaks Recreation, 222nd Drive, Boone. www.BooneRiverValleyFestival.com


May 29: Decoration Day at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org


June


June 1-30: Capital City Pride Fest celebrates all month with a variety of festivities, including a parade and too many entertainment options to list. www.capitalcitypride.org


June 1-6: Principal Charity Classic, at Wakonda Club, Des Moines. PGA pros play to raise money for charity. www.principalcharityclassic.com


June: Chill on the Hill in Pleasant Hill, 6-9 p.m. at Copper Creek Lake Park. The 2021 lineup and dates were TBD as Explore Des Moines went to press, but the weekly outdoor event featuring live music will be on the agenda in 2021. www.pleasanthillchamber.org/news-events/chill-on-the-hill/about.html


June 4: The Spazmatics/Pie in the Sky play at the Friday night concert series “Sunset on the Boulevard” in Altoona at Adventureland. www.adventurelandresort.com


June 5-7: Raccoon River Days in Van Meter; www.vanmeteria.gov/RaccoonRiverDays.aspx


June 5: Celebrate Bondurant in downtown Bondurant, 2 Main St., N.E., Bondurant. Don’t forget your lawn chairs for this family-friendly community event with live music. No admission charge. Saturday, 6-9 p.m. www.bondurantchamber.com


June 4-20: “A Love Offering” at Des Moines Playhouse. T’Wana Jepson has been bit before. And scratched. And kicked. And punched. And called every dirty word in the book. But so has her co-worker and work mama, Miss Georgia. It comes with the territory as a nurse’s aide caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. You learn to not take it personally and to lean on your co-workers for support. But after T’Wana is attacked by the patient in E 204, something happens that threatens the bonds of trust and friendship. www.dmplayhouse.com


June 6: 41st Annual Mustang and Ford Auto Show, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Along Fifth Street in Historic Valley Junction. The Mustang Club of Central Iowa will hold its 41st Annual MCCI Car Show in Historic Valley Junction. Popular vote judging will be held in 39 classes. www.valleyjunction.com/events


June 6: Cajun Fest Boil and Brew at Captain Roy’s, Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., www.yessiowa.org


June 6: The Dark Slide, Skate Jam at the Grimes Sports Complex skate park, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1253, Des Moines www.thedarkslide.com


June 10-12: Newton Fest in Newton; www.newtonfest.org


June 10-12: Grimes Governors Days at Grimes Water Works Park, www.governorsdays.com


June 11: The Garth Guy and Casey Muessigmann play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


June 12: Jamey Johnson with Whiskey Myers and Folk Uke, Saturday, doors at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., Live at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Lauridsen Amphitheater; www.dsmwaterworkspark.com


June 13: Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band, Music Under the Stars returns with its 74th season of free concerts from the West Capitol Mall. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Concessions provided by The Outside Scoop. www.musicunderthestars.org


June 13: Valley Junction Arts Festival, 137 Fifth St., West Des Moines, Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; www.valleyjunction.com/events


June 14-15: Summerfest in downtown Bondurant, Monday - Tuesday; www.bondumensclub.org


June 17-20: Johnston Green Days at Terra Park in Johnston, Activities include a parade, a carnival, live entertainment and fun for the entire family. Admission is free. www.johnstongreendays.org


June 18-19: Homeschool Iowa Convention, MidAmerican Energy RecPlex 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines; http://therecplex.com/events-calendar


June 18: Freddy Jones Band and Towncrier play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


June 19: Macksburg National Skillet Throw at City Park in Macksburg, www.macksburgskilletthrow.com


June 19: Waukee Bacoon Ride, Saturday, starting in Waukee at Centennial Park. Bacon pitstops plus a 71-mile bike ride along the Raccoon River Valley Trail equals the Bacoon Ride. www.bacoonride.com


June 19: Circuit Court Day at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org


June 20: Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band, Music Under the Stars returns with its 74th season of free concerts from the West Capitol Mall. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Concessions provided by The Outside Scoop. www.musicunderthestars.org


June 25: Elton and Billy-The Tribute plays at the Friday night concert series “Sunset on the Boulevard” in Altoona at Adventureland. www.adventurelandresort.com


June 25-26: Tallgrass Theatre Company presents “The Bridges of Madison County,” Friday, Saturday, at the new Jamie Hurd Amphitheater located in West Des Moines, www.tallgrasstheatre.org


June 25-27: The Des Moines Arts Festival at Western Gateway Park, Des Moines. This might be the city’s summer crown jewel as it attracts professional artists from around the nation and attendees enjoy eclectic food, interactive art, live music and the Interrobang Film Festival. Historically, more than 200,000 visitors attend each year. www.desmoinesartsfestival.org


June 25-26: Break the Cycle 200 in Waukee at Centennial Park. The event celebrates its 10th year of using a peloton-style, 200-mile bike ride to help victims of human trafficking. And if 200 miles in one day is too extreme, now, Break the Cycle 200 is introducing the Iowa Challenge that offers 100-mile, 50-mile, and 25-mile bike routes. www.breakthecycle200.com/where-we-ride


June 25: Ingersoll Summer Stir at Court Avenue, Friday, 5-9 p.m. http://summerstirs.com


June 26: The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s Leprechaun Open at Copper Creek Golf Club, 4825 Copper Creek Drive, Pleasant Hill; Saturday, shotgun start at noon. www.friendlysonsiowa.com/golf.htm


June 27: The Nadas - live concert, Sunday at 4 p.m. at Encompass Golf Course, 7395 N.W. 100th St., Grimes. Iowa’s signature alt-rock-country band. www.thenadas.com


June 27: Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band, Music Under the Stars returns with its 74th season of free concerts from the West Capitol Mall. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Concessions provided by The Outside Scoop. www.musicunderthestars.org


July
 

July TBD: The Yankee Doodle Pops Fourth of July celebration has become a family favorite and a tradition in downtown Des Moines. The event ranks as one of state’s largest single-day concert events, attracting thousands to witness the majesty of the Des Moines Symphony and fireworks. www.dmsymphony.org


July 1: Blues Traveler & JJ Gray and Mofro, Thursday, doors open at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m., Live at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Lauridsen Amphitheater; www.dsmwaterworkspark.com


July 2-3: Big Country Bash at Avenue of The Saints Amphitheater
in St. Charles. www.bigcountrybash.com


July 2: Electric Shock and Not Quite Brothers play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


July 2-4: Waukee Fourth of July Celebration of Independence  at Centennial Park; www.waukee.org/777/Independence-Celebration


July 3: Windsor Heights Parade. Celebrate a day early on a Saturday, the parade starts at 4 p.m., followed by live music and fireworks at Colby Park, www.windsorheightsparade.com


July 3: Independence Day at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org


July 4: Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band, Music Under the Stars returns with its 74th season of free concerts from the West Capitol Mall. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Concessions provided by The Outside Scoop. www.musicunderthestars.org


July 9: Brit Pack and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


July 16: Pork Tornadoes and Birdchild play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


July 9 - Aug. 8: “Godspell” at Des Moines Playhouse Tent Theatre presented outdoors. Prepare ye for Godspell, a modern-day retelling of the New Testament parables. With a Tony-nominated score of songs ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, including the hit song “Day by Day,” composer Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked”) brings to vibrant life the timeless messages of kindness, tolerance, and love. www.dmplayhouse.com


July 10: Celebrate Ankeny, at the SummerFest grounds, Saturday, 9:30 p.m. Coloring contest, bands, and fireworks, www.ankeny.org/celebrate-ankeny


July 10: Corn Belt Clash (auto racing) in Knoxville at Knoxville Raceway, www.knoxvilleraceway.com


July 10 - Aug. 7: “Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical,” Saturdays at The Playhouse Tent Theatre presented outdoors, 10 a.m. Lily Polkadot has just moved to Rockaway, a “Squares only” town. As the first Polkadot in an all-Square school, Lily struggles to gain acceptance from her peers in the midst of daily bullying and segregated drinking fountains. Her quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadots blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Polkadots offers us a reminder that our differences make us awesome. www.dmplayhouse.com


July 11: The Belin Quartet with jazz trio, Music Under the Stars returns with its 74th season of free concerts from the West Capitol Mall. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Concessions provided by The Outside Scoop. www.musicunderthestars.org


July 16 - Aug. 1: “Plaza Suite” at Des Moines Playhouse Tent Theatre presented outdoors. A suburban couple takes a suite while their house is being painted, and it turns out to be the one in which they honeymooned 23 (or was it 24?) years before. A Hollywood producer thrice-married calls a childhood sweetheart, now a suburban housewife, for a little sexual diversion. A mother and father fight about the best way to get their daughter out of the bathroom and down to the ballroom where wedding guests are gathered. Hilarity abounds in Neil Simon’s portrait of three couples successively occupying a suite at NYC’s Plaza Hotel. www.dmplayhouse.com


July 17: Four Seasons MiniFest 2021 in Polk City. This Friday event offers kid-friendly activities on the Town Square, 2-6 p.m., with live music starting at 8 p.m. at the American Legion’s outdoor stage. www.gopolkcity.com


July 17-23: Polk County Fair, at Iowa State Fairgrounds; www.polkcountyfairiowa.com


July 17: Tallgrass Theatre Company presents “An Evening with Sondheim:” A Musical Theatre Cabaret, at the new Jamie Hurd Amphitheater located in West Des Moines, www.tallgrasstheatre.org


July 21-25: Madison County Fair in Winterset; www.madisoncountyfair.net


July 23: East Village Summer Stir in East Village, Friday, 5-9 p.m. http://summerstirs.com


July 23: Arch Allies and The Crust play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


July 25-31: RAGBRAI, across Iowa. A one week jaunt covering 450-plus miles of the Hawkeye state — RAGBRAI stands for, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, www.ragbrai.com


July 30: The Prince Experience and Bitter Sweet play at the Friday night concert series, “Sunset on the Boulevard,” at Adventureland in Altoona. www.adventurelandresort.com


July 30 - Aug. 1: The 48 Hour Film Project. The challenge? To make a film in only 48 hours, and the winner goes up against films from around the world at Filmapalooza 2022 for the opportunity to screen at the Cannes Film Festival 2022 Short Film Corner. www.48hourfilm.com/en/des-moines-ia


July 30- Aug. 7: National Balloon Classic at Memorial Balloon Field in Indianola, 15335 Jewell St. For nine days every summer, Iowa’s skies come alive as 100-plus hot air balloons from around the country fill the sky, www.nationalballoonclassic.com


July 30-31: Guthrie’s River Ruckus at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 408 State St., Guthrie Center. Music lineup includes Brad Morgan, Phil Vassar, Chris Janson, Logan Mize, John Michael Montgomery, Granger Smith and Miranda Lambert, www.guthriesriverruckus.com


August


Aug. 5-7: 360 Knoxville Nationals (auto racing) in Knoxville at Knoxville raceway. Sprint car racing at the sprint car capital of the world, Thursday-Saturday, www.knoxvilleraceway.com


Aug. 6: Marcy Playground/BS and the Liars play at the Friday night concert series “Sunset on the Boulevard” in Altoona at Adventureland. www.adventurelandresort.com


Aug. 6-8: Hinterland Music Festival, Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles - 3357 St. Charles Road. From Tanya Tucker to Black Pumas to The Avett Brothers and more, plus unbelievable outdoor camping, Hinterland — in the middle of a cornfield — offers summer tunes as only Iowa can. Check online for details and a full listing of bands, www.hinterlandiowa.com


Aug. 7: Grain Harvest at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org


Aug. 8: CAPITANI CLASSIC (auto racing) in Knoxville at Knoxville Raceway. Sprint car racing at the sprint car capital of the world, Thursday-Saturday, www.knoxvilleraceway.com


Aug. 12-14: Knoxville Nationals (auto racing) in Knoxville at Knoxville Raceway. Sprint car racing at the sprint car capital of the world, Thursday-Saturday, www.knoxvilleraceway.com


Aug. 16-17: 515 Alive Music Festival at Des Moines Water Works Park - 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. Is it the wildest weekend in Iowa? Only one way to find out, www.515alive.com


Aug. 12-22: Iowa State Fair in Des Moines at 3000 E. Grand Ave. Iowa boasts a population of roughly 3 million people while the state fair reports approximately 1 million, so it is safe to say: The Hawkeye state is infatuated with its fair, its butter cow, food on a stick, the Midway, the Ferris wheel, people watching and music, www.iowastatefair.org


Aug. 14: Sweet Corn Festival at 301 S. 10th St., Adel (a 20-minute drive west of Des Moines). A Saturday sprinkled with salt and slathered in butter, if it’s the second weekend in August, Adel serves up seven tons of Iowa sweet corn, Facebook @adelsweetcornfestival


Aug. 27: Downtown Summer Stir at Ingersoll Avenue, Friday, 5-9 p.m, http://summerstirs.com


Aug. 27-28: Kosmic Kingdom Music Festival at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines, 4051 Dean Ave.; www.kosmickingdom.com


Aug. 28: Ingersoll Live 2021, along Ingersoll and Grand avenues; www.theavenuesdsm.com


Aug. 28: Glow Wild by Polk County Conservation, Saturday, 4-10 p.m.; www.glowwildiowa.com/faq


Aug. 28: Exile Music Fest at 1514 Walnut St., Des Moines; www.exilemusicfestdsm.com


September


September: Illumifest RevAMPed, a three-evening celebration to open the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater. A Greater Des Moines Community Band Concert, a public art reveal on the pond, ice cream and food trucks, lantern painting, balloon artist creations, Faculty Lounge, “Onward” on the big screen and fireworks. www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/parks-recreation/illumifest


Sept. 6: POOLOOZA, at Adventure Bay, a 21-plus party on a Monday, with drinks, pools, slides, and a special concert by Shaggy, a reggae artist best known for his songs “It Wasn’t Me,” “Angel,” and “Boombastic,” www.adventurelandresort.com/tickets/specialevents


Sept. 16: Wilco & Trampled By Turtles, Thursday, doors open at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., Live at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Lauridsen Amphitheater; www.dsmwaterworkspark.com


Sept. 16-18: 17th Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals (auto racing) in Knoxville at Knoxville Raceway, Thursday-Saturday. Sprint car racing at the “sprint car capital of the world,” www.knoxvilleraceway.com


Sept. 17-19: World Food & Music Festival, Friday-Sunday, at Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines; http://worldfoodandmusicfestival.com


Sept. 24: Wine & Whiskey Walk at West Glen Town Center, Friday, 5-9 p.m. http://whiskeywalk.dmcityview.com


Sept. 25: Oktoberfest at Adventureland in Altoona; www.adventurelandresort.com/tickets/specialevents


October


Oct. 1-2: CELEBRASIAN, Friday-Saturday, at Western Gateway Park, Des Moines. Experience more than a dozen Asian Villages where you can delight all five senses while enjoying authentic Asian food, educational activities and live cultural entertainment, www.iowaasian-alliance.squarespace.com


Oct. 9-10: Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, in Winterset; www.madisoncounty.com/covered-bridge-festival


Oct. 16-18: IMT Des Moines Marathon, Des Moines. “The Finish Line is Just the Beginning” at the IMT Des Moines Marathon. Yes, October is outside the scope of this publication’s parameters, but marathons generally demand adequate lead time to train. You can do it! This will be the easiest 26 miles you’ve ever run. www.desmoinesmarathon.com