PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
One of Iowa’s best summer traditions rolls out this weekend. RAGBRAI kicks off Saturday in Onawa, with thousands of riders making the trek across the state over the next week.
KCCI has everything you need to know about this year’s ride: RAGBRAI
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: Hot and sunny.
State Fair: The Top 3 Best New Food finalists have been announced.
Balloon Classic: The National Balloon Classic begins later this month after Monday’s preview flight over Des Moines.
In todays issue:
🏫 Downtown projects
🏞️ Flood recovery updates
🥃 What’s next for Americana building?
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
THE 515 REPORT 📰
Downtown Parking Lot to Become 160-Unit Mixed-Use Building
A vacant surface parking lot at 900 Vine St. — part of last year's $32 million Wells Fargo campus sale — is set to become a five-story mixed-use building. Developer Brian Clark's $42.5 million project would include 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 160 residential units above, with the city providing up to $4.5 million in TIF incentives. Construction could begin as early as spring 2027.
Des Moines Is Working on Its Flooding Problem
After flooding displaced more than 100 east-side residents along Fourmile Creek earlier this month, the city is taking a closer look at its most vulnerable spots. Public Works Director Jonathan Gano says the city's strategy in flood-prone areas is largely "managed retreat" — buying out properties rather than building expensive containment structures. Stormwater projects are also in the works for the Oak Park and Highland Park neighborhoods, where flooding has become increasingly frequent.
WHO 13 →
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Community Notes ❤
Cedar Ridge Is Taking Over the Americana Space
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery — Iowa's oldest distillery — is opening a Des Moines location at 1312 Locust St., where Americana operated for 14 years before closing last fall. The city approved a $160,000 forgivable loan to help with renovations, with plans for a restaurant, cocktail lounge, tasting room, and event space. Cedar Ridge president Jamie Siefken says expanding to the capital is the natural next step for a brand dedicated to putting Iowa on the map for whiskey.
👉 Story
National Balloon Museum Reopens After 2024 Fire
The National Balloon Museum in Indianola is reopening just in time for the National Balloon Classic after being closed since an electrical fire destroyed much of the facility in April 2024. Phase 1 of the reopening includes a renovated welcome area and Big Sky Hall, featuring new exhibits on ballooning history and the sport of flying. The museum's phased reopening will continue through late 2026.
👉 Details
Summer Iowa Games Celebrates 40 Years
The Summer Iowa Games — Iowa's annual multi-sport festival — is marking its 40th year with competitions spread across Ames and, for the first time, several venues in the Des Moines metro. More than 10,000 athletes of all ages and skill levels have participated across the first two weekends, competing in over 40 sports. Assistant Marketing Director Rob Goode says the games are about more than competition — they're a statewide push to get Iowans active and connected.
👉 More
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
Thursday
Madison County Fair (Runs Wed–Sun) — Five days of livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, and classic county fair fun. Madison County Fairgrounds. [details]
Friday
Clive Festival (Runs Fri–Sat) — Clive’s signature summer festival with live music, fireworks, food, family activities, and more. Greenbelt Landing. [details]
11th Annual Waukee Arts Festival (Runs Fri–Sat) — Browse 100+ artists, enjoy live music, food trucks, and evening concerts. Centennial Park. [details]
Candy Talk: A Live Snack-Based Talk Show — A quirky live talk show celebrating all things candy with laughs and audience interaction. xBk Annex. [details]
Movies Under the Stars — Pack a blanket and enjoy a free outdoor showing of Hoppers at dusk. Wagner Park. [details]
Saturday
Playground Playdate — A casual morning for kids and families to play, connect, and explore together. Primrose School of Urbandale. [details]
Pressed Flower Garden Arch Workshop — Create a framed pressed-flower keepsake with guidance from local experts. Ted Lare Garden Center. [details]
80s/90s Summer Throwback Party — Retro games, vintage vendors, music, and nostalgic fun all day long. Uptown Garage Brewing. [details]
Iowa PBS Day — Meet favorite PBS characters and enjoy hands-on family activities throughout the zoo. Blank Park Zoo. [details]
Bridges and Bubbles Trolley Winery Tour — Hop aboard for a guided tour of local wineries with tastings along the way. Whiskey River Ankeny. [details]
The Summer Sip n’ Shop — Shop local vendors, enjoy food trucks, wine, and a relaxing afternoon at the winery. Jasper Winery. [details]
Puzzle Competition — Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test in this friendly team competition. WDM Public Library. [details]
Bingo at Des Moines Biergarten — Enjoy bingo, board games, and prizes under the trees at Water Works Park. Des Moines Biergarten. [details]
Pupchella 2026 — A festival for dogs and their humans featuring music, vendors, games, and treats. Paws & Pints. [details]
The 90s vs Y2K Bar Crawl — Dress the part and battle it out on a themed crawl through downtown bars. Hessen Haus. [details]
Northwest Glow Party — An evening of glowing pool fun, crafts, and family activities. Northwest Aquatic Center. [details]
Jingle in July (Runs Sat–Sun) — Celebrate Christmas in the summer with festive treats and gifts for your pup. Brown Dog Bakery. [details]
Sunday
Stained Glass Class — Learn the basics while creating your own stained-glass prism project. The Studio in Grimes. [details]
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🐶 Legally Blonde The Musical
📆 July 10-26
📍 The Playhouse
The hit Broadway musical follows Elle Woods on a hilarious, heartwarming journey from fashion to Harvard Law.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 David Koechner
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
Best known as Champ Kind from Anchorman and Todd Packer from The Office, Koechner brings his quick wit and unforgettable characters to DSM for a weekend of stand-up.
Support DSM at Dawn
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Everything goes back into making this better for Des Moines,
Grateful you’re here.
— Nick
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Major Blues | 5 | Ankeny Market & Pavilion
Corey Jamison | 5 | Madison County Fair
Kris Lager Band | 6 | Jasper Winery
Dick Danger Band | 6 | Valley Junction Farmers’ Market
Jared Nels | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Mike Aceto | 6 | Water Works Park
Kelsie James | 6 | Destination Grille
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
NOLA Jazz Band | 6:30 | Botanical Garden
The Lamplighters | 6:30 | Jester Park
Mammoth | 7 | Wooly’s
Tanner Taylor Trio | 7 | Noce
John Krantz Trio | 7 | Court Ave Brewing
Rutabaga & more | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Casey Joe Collins | 7 | Board & Batten
Tony Bohnenkamp | 7 | Marv’s Mainstreet Dive
Lil Wayne | 8 | Casey’s Center
Dad Rock Night | 8 | xBk Live
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Brian Congdon | 8:30 | Bix & Co
Jake Schrodt | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Sonic Roots Festival | 12 | Briar Patch
The Crowfoot Rakes | 4:30 | Middlebrook Farm
Mabel’s Porch | 5 | Water Works Park
Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band | 5 | Greenwood Lounge
Mike Bernard | 5 | Madison County Fair
Willie Mav & The Lost Cousins | 5 | Speckled Hen Farms
Joe Demerath | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Emmett Sheehan | 5 | Truman’s Pizza
Brian Congdon | 5 | Caffrey’s
Plastic Apartment | 5 | Clive Festival (Greenbelt Landing)
Mike Moody & The Outlaws | 5:30 | Riverview Park
Levi Smith | 6 | The District at Prairie Trail
Grind | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Red Dirt Renegade | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Juan & Only | 6 | El Toreado
Jake Kloefkorn | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Jared Nels | 6 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Nick Hermann | 6 | Soggy Frog
Napoleon Douglas | 7 | Noce
Lavender Lace | 7 | Ducktail Lounge
CeCe Stewart | 7 | Joe’s Pub
Mike Aceto | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Tony McGhee | 7 | Zeke’s Rooftop
Lani w/ Allegra Hernandez | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
John Krantz Trio | 7 | The Cave
Neva Alden | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Post Malone & Jelly Roll | 7:30 | Jack Trice Stadium
George Michael Reborn | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Faster Horses | 8 | xBk Live
Dueling Pianos | 8 | The District at Prairie Trail
Standing Hampton | 8 | Clive Festival (Greenbelt Landing)
Recoil | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Chuggaluggers | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Collin Donley | 8 | Talk Shop Lounge
Hattrick | 8:30 | Doc’s Lounge
Beast | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Dustin Farrow & The Relics | 9 | Yacht Club
Zachary Freedom | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Saturday
Sonic Roots Festival | 12 | Briar Patch
Andrew Hoyt | 12 | Simon Estes Amphitheater
Jones & Owens Trio | 12 | Annie’s Irish Pub
Paul Ivy | 1 | Des Moines Art Center
Willi Vanilli | 2 | Soggy Frog
Trickle Tree Hippies | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Rural Route | 5 | Madison County Fair
Miles Morgan | 6 | Riverview Park
The Other Brothers | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Adaptors | 6 | Centennial Park
Jana West & RetroSpect | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Nicolas King | 7 | Noce
Absolute Power | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Velvet Trio | 7 | Shirley’s
Encore Legends | 7 | Soggy Frog
Lucas Beebe | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Exit 113 | 7 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
George Michael Reborn | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
DAKOTA | 8 | xBk Live
The Jenny Kohls Band | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Ducharme-Jones Band | 8 | Centennial Park
Bruce Day | 8 | Marv’s Mainstreet Dive
Bittersweet | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
SubtleSound Wav | 9 | Wooly’s
The Savage Freds | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
The Dogtown Rhythm Band | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Sunday
Fabulous Tru Tones | 1 | Water Works Park
Nick Hermann | 1 | Cabaret Ankeny
Jones & Owens Trio | 1 | Soggy Frog
Brad Seidenfeld | 2 | Truman’s Pizza
Burnin’ Sensations | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Ryne Doughty | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Luke Fox | 2 | Jethro’s Lakehouse
Danny Russell Wolf | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
The Steam Boars | 4 | Greenwood Lounge
Adam Kulmatycki Duo | 4 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Joshua Sinclair | 5 | Exile Brewing
Gaylin Sudik & Friends | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones | 6 | xBk Live
The Head And The Heart | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Lord Huron | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
DSM SPORTS
A slow weekend for sports in the metro, but State softball (Fort Dodge) and baseball (Cedar Rapids & Carroll) start on Monday.
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
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