🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #35| THURSDAY, July 23 , 2026
A Week Full of Good Things, DSM
Hey, Des Moines. ☀️
Fair warning: this weekend eases up before summer turns the heat back on Sunday. It's shaping up to be one of the busier weekends we've had in a while — a hometown summer fest with fireworks, arena football, a viral YouTube crew taking over Casey's Center, and enough farmers markets to fill your fridge for the week. Whatever you pick, get outside early and let the evening carry you the rest of the way. Let's get into it.
Let's get into it.
🌤️ Weekend Weather Outlook
Thu 7/23 | Fri 7/24 | Sat 7/25 | Sun 7/26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 76°F | 78°F | 89°F | 97°F |
Conditions | 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, late showers | 🌦️ Partly sunny, chance of showers | ☀️ Sunny | ☀️ Hot & sunny |
Quick Look | Cooler with a few late showers | Pleasant, isolated showers early | Summer heat returns | Hot, sunny, stay hydrated |
The one-liner: A cool break Thursday and Friday gives way to a hot, sunny weekend—perfect for outdoor plans, but Sunday brings summer heat. ☀️🌡️
Now this week's very important question:
Which weekend event are you most excited for?
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun Ideas This Weekend
Pleasant Hill Summer Fest (Fri–Sun) — Parade, fireworks, bounce houses, and an entertainment zone at Copper Creek Park.
Iowa Barnstormers vs. San Antonio Gunslingers (Fri, 7 p.m.) — Fast-paced indoor football at Casey's Center — a great first-sports-game pick for kids.
Dude Perfect: Squad Games Tour (Sat, 6 p.m.) — The YouTube trick-shot crew brings games, stunts, and comedy to Casey's Center.
Story Sprouts (Fri, 10:30 a.m.) — A nature-themed storytime for ages 2–5 at the Botanical Garden.
Rendezvous on Riverview (Fri, 5:30–9 p.m.) — Free live music at Riverview Park, easy on the wallet and the schedule.
Prairie Meadows Live Horse Racing (Fri–Sun) — Family-friendly grounds and live racing all weekend.
🌿 Family Connection Corner
Day | Family Connection Corner Question |
|---|---|
Thursday | If our family had a theme song, what would it be and why? |
Friday | What's one thing you've never tried but really want to? |
Saturday | If you could watch fireworks from anywhere in the world, where would you pick? |
Sunday | What's the bravest thing you've done this summer? |
Monday | If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be? |
Tuesday | What's a rule you'd make if you were in charge of the house for a day? |
Wednesday | What's something you're looking forward to before summer ends? |
These questions are a great way to kick off dinner — and if you've got a student in the house, they're a good reminder that learning doesn't stop when school does. Camp Homework supports K–12 students all year long — whether they need a little extra help keeping up or just want to stay sharp and ahead of the curve. Worth a look at camphomework.com.
Real talk: the last few weeks of school matter. If your child is struggling, Camp Homework connects K–12 students with real human tutors — not AI — starting at just $150/month. Affordable, personal, and actually effective. Don't wait until summer to course-correct. camphomework.com →
🎟️ EVENT SHOWCASE
When: Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26
Where: Copper Creek Park, Pleasant Hill
What: Pleasant Hill's biggest weekend of the summer — a Friday fireworks show, a Saturday morning parade, plus bounce houses, an entertainment zone, and activity booths for the kids all weekend long.
When: Friday, July 24, 7 p.m.
Where: Casey's Center, Downtown Des Moines
What: Fast, physical, and loud — indoor football is a blast live, and it's an easy in-and-out night for families who don't want a three-hour commitment.
When: Saturday, July 25, doors 5 p.m., show 6 p.m.
Where: Casey's Center, Downtown Des Moines
What: The YouTube trick-shot sensation brings its live arena show to Des Moines — games, stunts, and comedy that land with kids and adults alike.
🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS
🎉 Big Events
Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
Fri–Sun, July 24–26 | Copper Creek Park, Pleasant Hill | |
Fri, July 24 | Casey's Center | |
Sat, July 25 | Casey's Center |
🌻 Small & Local Favorites
Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
Thu, July 23 | Greater DM Botanical Garden | |
Fri, July 24 | Riverview Park | |
Fri, July 24 | Greater DM Botanical Garden | |
Sun, July 26, 6:30 p.m. | Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park | |
Fri–Sun, July 24–26 | Prairie Meadows, Altoona |
🌽 Farmers Market around the Metro
Market | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
Sat, 7 a.m.–noon | Historic Court District, Des Moines | |
Thu, 4–8 p.m. | 100–300 blocks of 5th St, West Des Moines | |
Sat, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | 1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines | |
Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market | Sat, 8 a.m.–noon | 715 W 1st St, Ankeny |
Norwalk Area Farmers Market | Fri, 4–7 p.m. | 705 Main Street, Norwalk |
Polk County Farmers Market | Thu, 4–7 p.m. | Town Square, Polk City |
Grimes Farmers Market | Sat, 7–11 a.m. | Heritage Park, Grimes |
Indianola Farmers Market | Sat, 8 a.m.–noon | Warren County Fairgrounds, Indianola |
Thank you so much for reading — we hope you found something fun, helpful, and inspiring in today's edition! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends and family so they can be part of the fun too. The more the
Thank you so much for reading — we hope you found something fun, helpful, and inspiring in today's edition! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends and family so they can be part of the fun too. The more the merrier! We'll see you back here on Monday for our next edition. Have a wonderful weekend, Des Moines! 🎉
— Alex | Des Moines Digest
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