🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #25| THURSDAY, July 2, 2026
A Week Full of Good Things, DSM
Good morning, neighbors!
Can you feel it? The Fourth of July is basically here — and this year is extra special. America turns 250 years old on Saturday, and Des Moines is ready to celebrate in style. We're talking symphonies, fireworks, hot rods, baseball, and enough sweet corn to fuel the whole state.
Fair warning: Thursday is going to be a sweaty one. We're staring down a 91°F day with storms possible, so hydrate early and make your plans accordingly. But the rest of the weekend? Pure summer magic. Grab your lawn chairs, your flags, and your best patriotic hat. Let's get into it! ☕👇
☁️ Weekend Weather Outlook
Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 93°F | 92°F | 93°F | 91°F |
Conditions | 🌤️ Partly sunny | ⛅ Hot | 🌤️ Mostly sunny | ⛅ Partly cloudy |
📍 Thursday heads-up: A few afternoon thunderstorms are possible, but most of the day will be warm and partly sunny. Friday and Saturday stay hot with only isolated pop-up storms, making for good holiday and festival weather. Sunday has the best chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms, so keep an eye on the radar if you'll be outdoors. 💧 Stay hydrated—heat indices could climb into the mid-90s all weekend.
Now this week's very important question:
Which fireworks show are you planning to see?
America turns 250 this weekend. Here are five ways to make it feel special:
🎆 Watch fireworks from a new spot — find a rooftop, a hill, or a friend's backyard with a view.
🎵 Catch even 20 minutes of Yankee Doodle Pops on the Capitol lawn.
🚗 Walk the Goodguys car show at the Fairgrounds — it's a summer staple.
🌽 Buy something from a farmers market vendor you've never tried before.
📖 Ask a grandparent or older neighbor what 4th of July was like when they were a kid.
🌿 Family Connection Corner
Day | Family Connection Question |
|---|---|
Thursday | If you could add one new tradition to our family's 4th of July, what would it be? |
Friday | What's something that makes you feel proud to be from Iowa? |
Saturday | If you could watch the fireworks from anywhere in the world, where would you pick? |
Sunday | What's one thing you want to remember about this summer? |
Monday | If you were in charge of planning next year's 4th of July, what would you do? |
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
🎆 Yankee Doodle Pops — 30th Annual!
📅 Friday, July 3 · 8:30 PM
West Terrace, Iowa State Capitol
The biggest single-day concert event in Iowa turns 30 this year, and the Des Moines Symphony is going all out. Music Director Joseph Giunta leads the orchestra through patriotic favorites including the "1812 Overture" and "Stars & Stripes Forever." This year's show also features a brand-new multimedia experience called American Mosaic — a 32-minute orchestral journey celebrating all 50 states, commissioned for America's 250th birthday. TV journalist Harry Smith will narrate, and Billy "B.Well" Weathers performs a spoken-word piece. The whole thing ends with fireworks lighting up the downtown Des Moines skyline. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic — food vendors will also be on site. This one is absolutely not to be missed.
🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS
🎯 BIG EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Event | Date & Time | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri, Jul 3 • 8:30 PM | Iowa State Capitol (West Terrace) | Free | |
Thu, Jul 3 • 6:08 PM | Principal Park, Downtown Des Moines | Ticket Required | |
Sat, Jul 4 • 6:08 PM | Principal Park, Downtown Des Moines | From $13 | |
Jul 3–5 | Iowa State Fairgrounds | Ticket Required | |
Thu, Jul 3 • 3:00 PM | Prairie Meadows, Altoona | Free Admission | |
Jul 3–4 | Centennial Park, Waukee | Free | |
Sat, Jul 4 • 10:00 AM | Walker Johnston Park, Urbandale | Free | |
| WDM City Campus | Free | |
Sat, Jul 4 • Fireworks ~9:30 PM | Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines | Free |
🌽 FARMERS MARKETS
Market | Day & Time | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market | Every Saturday • 7 AM–Noon (May–Sept)8 AM–Noon (October) | Historic Court District, Downtown Des Moines | Free |
Valley Junction Farmers Market | Every Thursday • 4–8 PM (May–Sept) | Historic Valley Junction (100–300 Blocks of 5th St), West Des Moines | Free |
Beaverdale Farmers Market | Every Tuesday • 4–7:30 PM (June–Sept) | 4100 Urbandale Ave, Des Moines | Free |
Johnston Farmers Market | Every Tuesday • 4:30–7 PM (Seasonal) | Johnston Town Center | Free |
Waukee Farmers Market | Every Wednesday • 4–7 PM (Seasonal) | The Triangle, Downtown Waukee | Free |
Bondurant Farmers Market | Every Wednesday • 6–8 PM (Seasonal) | Bondurant City Park | Free |
Indianola Farmers Market | Every Wednesday • 2–6 PM (Seasonal) | Warren County Fairgrounds, Indianola | Free |
Polk City Farmers Market | Every Thursday • 4–7 PM (Seasonal) | Town Square, Polk City | Free |
Grimes Farmers Market | Every Friday • 4–7 PM (Seasonal) | Grimes Community Complex | Free |
Norwalk Farmers Market | Every Friday • 4–7 PM (Seasonal) | Norwalk Christian Church | Free |
Global Greens Farmers Market | Every Saturday • 9 AM–1 PM (May–Oct) | 3200 University Ave, Des Moines | Free |
Ankeny Farmers Market | Every Saturday • 8 AM–Noon (Seasonal) | Ankeny Market Pavilion | Free |
Pleasant Hill Community Farmers Market | Every Monday • 4–7 PM (Seasonal) | Pleasant Hill Community Area | Free |
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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