EXPLORE: Fourth of July in the Iowa sky
By Sofia Legaspi Dickens
Celebrate the birth of our nation the tried and true way — with fireworks. Mark your calendars for these Independence Day events around the Des Moines metro. Freedom!
RENDEZVOUS ON RIVERVIEW
710 Corning Ave., Des Moines
riverviewevents.org
Friday, July 1, 5:30-9 p.m.
Standing Hampton will pay tribute to 1970s and 1980s classic rock. The high-energy band has shared the stage with big names including Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick and Eddie Money. There will, of course, be fireworks.
YANKEE DOODLE POPS
1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
dmsymphony.org
Friday, July 1, 8:30 p.m.
Head to the west terrace of the beautiful Iowa State Capitol for the 28th iteration of this free event, returning in person after last year’s broadcasted version. Join the Des Moines Symphony and thousands of other central Iowans at the largest single-day concert event in the state.
IOWA CUBS
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
iowacubs.com
Friday - Sunday, July 1-3
Celebrate America’s birthday with America’s sport. Iowa’s minor league baseball team plays the Columbus Clippers over Independence Day weekend, with fireworks every evening. First pitch is at 7:08 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6:08 p.m. on Sunday.
GOODGUYS 31ST SPEEDWAY MOTORS HEARTLAND NATIONALS
3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
good-guys.com/hln
Friday - Sunday, July 1-3
One of the biggest Goodguys events of the year descends on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. If you’re a fan of hot rods, classic cars, custom cars, muscle cars and trucks, this is for you — there’ll be more than 4,000 of them. Saturday night will feature a Fireworks Extravaganza.
LIVING HISTORY FARMS
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
lhf.org
Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Experience Independence Day the old-fashioned way in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. Parade, family fun and games, and a game of historic baseball played by the Walnut Hill Bluestockings at 3 p.m.
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS
1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
musicunderthestars.org
Sunday, July 3, 7 p.m.
The Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band will perform a free concert with guest vocalist Gina Gedler. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets. While there won’t be fireworks, the concert will feature patriotic music against the backdrop of the beautiful State Capitol building and downtown Des Moines skyline.
Celebrate the birth of our nation the tried and true way — with fireworks. Mark your calendars for these Independence Day events around the Des Moines metro. Freedom!
RENDEZVOUS ON RIVERVIEW
710 Corning Ave., Des Moines
riverviewevents.org
Friday, July 1, 5:30-9 p.m.
Standing Hampton will pay tribute to 1970s and 1980s classic rock. The high-energy band has shared the stage with big names including Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick and Eddie Money. There will, of course, be fireworks.
YANKEE DOODLE POPS
1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
dmsymphony.org
Friday, July 1, 8:30 p.m.
Head to the west terrace of the beautiful Iowa State Capitol for the 28th iteration of this free event, returning in person after last year’s broadcasted version. Join the Des Moines Symphony and thousands of other central Iowans at the largest single-day concert event in the state.
IOWA CUBS
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
iowacubs.com
Friday - Sunday, July 1-3
Celebrate America’s birthday with America’s sport. Iowa’s minor league baseball team plays the Columbus Clippers over Independence Day weekend, with fireworks every evening. First pitch is at 7:08 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6:08 p.m. on Sunday.
GOODGUYS 31ST SPEEDWAY MOTORS HEARTLAND NATIONALS
3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
good-guys.com/hln
Friday - Sunday, July 1-3
One of the biggest Goodguys events of the year descends on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. If you’re a fan of hot rods, classic cars, custom cars, muscle cars and trucks, this is for you — there’ll be more than 4,000 of them. Saturday night will feature a Fireworks Extravaganza.
LIVING HISTORY FARMS
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
lhf.org
Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Experience Independence Day the old-fashioned way in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. Parade, family fun and games, and a game of historic baseball played by the Walnut Hill Bluestockings at 3 p.m.
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS
1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
musicunderthestars.org
Sunday, July 3, 7 p.m.
The Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band will perform a free concert with guest vocalist Gina Gedler. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets. While there won’t be fireworks, the concert will feature patriotic music against the backdrop of the beautiful State Capitol building and downtown Des Moines skyline.
» CELEBRATIONS BY CITY
ALTOONA
- July 4: Parade at 10 a.m., starting from the Altoona Public Library, 700 Eighth St. S.W. Fireworks in the evening at Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona.
ANKENY
- July 8-10: Ankeny SummerFest at The District at Prairie Trail featuring a carnival, parade, music and concluding with fireworks on Sunday evening; 1500 S.W. Main St., Ankeny.
CLIVE
- July 15-16: Clive Festival at the Greenbelt Landing at the Clive Aquatic Center will include fireworks both evenings at 10 p.m. Located on the east side of N.W. 114th St., Clive.
GRIMES
- July 4: Home Base Iowa’s fireworks show at dusk at the Grimes South Sports Complex, 750 S. James St., Grimes.
NORWALK
- July 4: Parade at 10 a.m. from Norwalk High School (1201 North Ave.), party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at city park (907 North Ave.), fireworks at dusk at McAninch Park (200 Wright Road).
URBANDALE
- July 2-4: Carnival and food vendors at Lions Park, 72nd St. and Aurora Ave. Fun run, bags and cribbage tournaments, pie eating contest, car show, live entertainment and beer garden. Saturday: parade at 10 a.m., Fireworks on Monday, July 4 at 10 p.m. at Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Ave.
WAUKEE
- July 4: Parade at 10:30 a.m., then ice cream social, inflatables, food vendors and entertainment; skydivers at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee.
WEST DES MOINES
- July 3: Parade followed by All Iowa Bash: live music, food and drink and kids activities in Valley Junction at 6 p.m. 137 Fifth St., West Des Moines.
- July 4: WDM Community Band Concert, 7 p.m. at 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, then fireworks at dusk.
WINDSOR HEIGHTS
- July 4: Nights in the Heights with live music at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks. Colby Park, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights.