PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

Masters Week always feels like the true start of spring. The azaleas, the birds chirping, and Jim Nantz softly narrating—what more do you need to feel like warmer days are here. One of these years, I’d love to make it down to Augusta to see it all for myself.

Until then, we’ve got our own golf traditions to look forward to—the Principal Charity Classic isn’t far off, and it’s always a great excuse to get outside, support a good cause, and watch some legends tee it up right here at home.

In todays issue:

• 🐣 Easter events popping up around town

• 🏗️ Merle Hay Mall’s big plans

• 📺 Drake Relays go digital

And we’re off.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Molly! Hope it’s a great one. 🎉 

— Nick Rivas

🐣 Easter Festivities Kick Off This Weekend!

We’re still a week out from Easter Sunday, but the celebrations are already hopping around town. Catch Des Moines has a full roundup of local egg hunts, brunches, and bunny sightings right here.

Here are a few family-friendly events happening this weekend:

• 🐰 Hippity Hop @ Chocolate Storybook

• 🥚 Easter Egg Hunt @ Hy-Vee WDM

• 🧺 Waveland Park Egg Hunt @ Perkins Elementary

• 🐣 Ankeny Kiwanis Club Egg Hunt @ Hawkeye Park

• 🎨 Easter Craft Fun @ The Learning Post

Whether you’re chasing eggs or just chasing sunshine, it’s shaping up to be a fun weekend.

PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team

Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.

If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30^th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.

If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.

No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.

Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🚀 Now Open in DSM

A&G Home is hosting a Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting tomorrow. Located in the Urban Town Center in Urbandale, the store is open Monday-Saturday 10-4.

🏃‍♂️ Iowa's Oldest Track Meet, Now Streaming

The Drake Relays’ high school division, officially the Jim Duncan Invitational, is making history again—this time by going digital. The event, known as the oldest high school track meet in Iowa, will stream exclusively on the new WHO 13 News app this year.

This move brings the excitement of Iowa’s elite high school athletes directly to your screen, whether you’re a proud parent or a track fan catching every finish line moment.

📺 Download the WHO 13 app to tune in live.
➡️ More info

🏗️ A New Chapter for Merle Hay

Merle Hay Mall's CEO has unveiled revised redevelopment plans that broaden the mall’s future—and its audience. The updated vision replaces the original Buccaneers arena project with a multi-use sports and recreation complex. Think: an ice rink, basketball courts, volleyball, pickleball, and even space for concerts and events.

The goal? To turn Merle Hay into a regional hub for sports, wellness, and entertainment—not just shopping. City officials are optimistic, and construction could begin later this year.

➡️ Full article from Business Record

HEART OF DSM ❤️ 

🥕 Featured Nonprofit: DMARC

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is on the front lines of food insecurity, operating a network of pantries that served over 56,000 people last year—and the need is only growing.

As families prepare Easter meals and schools near spring breaks, pantries see an increase in visits. DMARC helps bridge the gap by offering mobile pantries, delivery options, and culturally appropriate foods that meet people where they are.

🛒 Want to help? You can donate food, funds, or your time. Even $1 helps them buy multiple meals.
➡️ Learn more

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

🌸 KCC DSM Spring Consignment
Score deals on quality kids' clothing, toys, and gear.
📍 Franklin Jr High Event Center (Google Maps)
📆 Thursday–Saturday
➡️ Details

🪐 Mixology Night: Planetary Prom
Sip space-themed cocktails and explore the Science Center after hours!
📍 Science Center of Iowa (Google Maps)
📆 Friday | 🕕 6–9 PM
➡️ Discover

🌾 1900 Farm Dinners
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind outdoor meal inspired by early 1900s recipes.
📍 Living History Farms (Google Maps)
📆 Friday–Saturday
➡️ More Info

🚚 Monster Jam
High-octane trucks, stunts, and family-friendly thrills.
📍 Wells Fargo Arena (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday–Sunday
➡️ Tickets

💿 Record Store Day
Exclusive vinyl drops and live music at local record shops.
📍 Marv's Record Shop (Google Maps)
📍 Vinyl Cup Records (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕖 7 AM
➡️ Celebrate

🔌 Electronics Recycling Day
Dispose of old electronics safely and sustainably.
📍 Urbandale City Hall (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕙 10 AM–2 PM
➡️ Info

🌶️ Furry Friends Annual Chili Cookoff
Sample chili and support a great cause—your taste buds will thank you!
📍 Tonic West Des Moines (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕐 1 PM
➡️ Support

🍽️ Vintage Clothing Market
Shop retro styles and one-of-a-kind fashion finds.
📍 The Picker Knows (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕙 10 AM
➡️ Explore

🚴 Bike to SingleSpeed
A casual ride with a stop at Captain Roy’s before ending in beers and bites at SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
📍 Backpocket Pin & Pixel (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕚 11 AM
➡️ Pedal Along

🛍️ Des Moines Makers Market & Bar Hop
Shop local makers and sip craft brews across multiple stops.
📍 Big Grove Brewery (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕐 1–6 PM
➡️ Details

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 64 🌡️ Low 41 | 🌤️ | 💧 12%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 59 🌡️ Low 39 | ☁️ | 💧 10%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 69 🌡️ Low 52 | 🌥️ | 💧 6%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 78 🌡️ Low 50 | 🌥️ | 💧 9%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Dusty Rose Duo | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
My Son the Hurricane | 7 | xBk Live
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge

Friday

Matthew Garcia | 6 | Paws & Pints
Brittany Sword | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Stephen Simmons | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Willie Shay | 7 | Simon’s
Grain Powered | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Luke Fox | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
Warrant | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Kidd G | 7:30 | Wooly’s
The Palmer Squares | 8 | xBk Live
Burnin’ Sensations | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Bad Friends | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Scott Davis Trio | 8 | The Cave
Basement Philosophers Society | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Heart to Gold | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
PopCentric | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Drama Kings | 7 | Dugan’s Hideaway
John Krantz Trio | 7 | The Cave
Night Like This | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Night Ranger | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Good Morning Bedlam | 8 | xBk Live
Whiskey Bizkit | 8 | East Side Eddie’s
The Guilty Pleasures | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
CC Stewart | 8 | Doug’s Pub & Grub
Suede | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Sunday

Cedar County Cobras | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Crowfoot Rakes | 3 | Captain Roy’s
Chicken P | 8 | Wooly’s

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
5-3 | 2nd Place | IL West Division

• @ Toledo Mudhens
  📆 4/10 | 🕛️ 5:35
  📆 4/11 | 🕛️ 6:05
  📆 4/12 | 🕛️ 4:05
  📆 4/13 | 🕛️ 1:05

• Next week | VS Saint Paul Saints

Football 🏈

Iowa Barnstormers
0-2 | 6th place | Eastern Division

• @ Quad City Steamwheelers
  📆 4/12 | 🕛️ 7:05

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
23-32-5-0 | 7th place | Western Conference

• VS Omaha Lancers
  📆 4/11 | 🕛️ 7

• VS Sioux City Musketeers
  📆 4/12 | 🕛️ 6

Iowa Wild
26-36-5-1 | 6th place | Central Division

• @ Manitoba Moose
  📆 4/11 | 🕛️ 7

• @ Manitoba Moose
  📆 4/12 | 🕛️ 6

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!

Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].