PRESENTED BY

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

Soak up the sunshine while it lasts—this weekend’s shaping up to be a good one.

And don’t forget: we’ve got all things Iowa State Fair coming your way next week. Stay tuned.

In todays issue:

• 🏁 Racing returns to Iowa Speedway

• 🛍️ Tax Free Weekend

• 🆕 Now Open in the Metro

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🏁 Cup Series Weekend

Iowa Speedway has seen its share of twists and turns since opening nearly 20 years ago. From the early buzz to financial setbacks—especially during Covid—it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. But the dream was always clear: land a NASCAR Cup Series race.

That dream became reality last year, and now, the Iowa Corn 350 is back for round two. The weekend-long event is totally sold out, but if you’re headed to Newton, don’t miss Fan Fest and everything surrounding the track.

More on Iowa Speedway →
Fan Fest →

🎶 Festival Central 

It’s a full-on festival weekend in and around Des Moines. Hinterland takes the spotlight in St. Charles with big-name artists and big-time vibes. Closer to home, the National Balloon Classic keeps filling the sky with color through Saturday night. And if you're feeling groovy, Jerry Daze brings the spirit of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead to life at the Briar Patch Amphitheater just south of the metro.

From campgrounds to cornfields to colorful skies—it’s a good weekend to chase the music.

PRESENTED BY: Top Maid

Top Maid is Des Moines’ trusted name in premium home cleaning. Locally owned and operated, they deliver high-quality, reliable service tailored to the needs of busy households. Whether it’s weekly upkeep or a deep refresh, Top Maid helps you come home to clean — without lifting a finger.

Visit mytopmaid.com to learn more.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🛹 Des Moines Streetstyle Open

Skate DSM just dropped the details for the 5th Annual Des Moines Streetstyle Open, happening August 28–30. This year, they’re teaming up with USA Skateboarding to take the multi-day, multi-venue event up a notch. Expect live skating, music, food, vendors, and merch at Lauridsen Skatepark and other locations around the city.

Full Schedule →

🛍️ Tax Free Weekend

It’s back. This Friday and Saturday, take advantage of Iowa’s Sales Tax Holiday. Clothing and shoes under $100 are tax-free both in-store and online—perfect timing for back-to-school or a little personal refresh.

Find a full list of taxable and non-taxable items here.

Story →

🆕 Fresh on the Scene

Pleasant Hill is welcoming two tasty additions: Taste of New York and Bubbies BBQ are both expanding into the area. This marks TONY’s third metro location and Bubbies’ second (with the original in Ankeny).

More →

Meanwhile, Slime Kitchen—a hands-on, interactive slime experience—is opening its first Des Moines spot inside Merle Hay Mall. It’s part sensory play, part creative outlet, and a solid excuse to spend quality time with the kids.

Story →

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

🦁 Zoo Trivia (more)
📆 Thursday | ⏰ 6 PM
📍Big Grove Brewery
Test your animal IQ with Blank Park Zoo and Big Grove! Prizes, pints, and plenty of wildlife facts.

🛍️ HWY 141 Giant Garage Sale (more)
📆 Thursday–Saturday
📍First Presbyterian Church of Grimes
50+ families, AC, bake sale, concessions, and $5 hot dog meals. It’s a treasure hunt with snacks.

🎪 Night at the Circus (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 5:30–8 PM
📍Cirque Wonderland Studios
Drop the kids for a night of aerial arts, games, and circus fun while you hit up Valley Junction.

🎤 New City Poets Open Mic Night (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 7 PM
📍xBk Annex
The first New City Poets mic night—poets, rappers, and creatives welcome. The mic is warm and the vibe is real.

🎬 Movie in the Park: Inside Out (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8:15 PM
📍Colby Park
Catch Pixar’s emotional rollercoaster under the stars. Bring a blanket and your favorite snack.

🎬 Neighborhood Movie Night: The Goonies (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8:30 PM
📍Hoyt Sherman Place Lawn
A free outdoor screening of a true classic—bring your chairs and your inner adventurer.

🎬 Movies Under The Stars: The Wild Robot (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8:45 PM
📍Wagner Park
Another free movie night! Bring your blanket and cooler (no glass!) and settle in for a family-friendly flick.

🧺 India Day 2025 (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10 AM
📍Living History Farms
Celebrate Indian culture with dance, food, family fun, and community at this lively festival in Urbandale.

🛍️ Summer Sip N’ Thrift (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM
📍Captain Roy’s
Sip a cocktail, shop local vendors, and soak up the riverfront vibes. Vendor spots are sold out—it’s gonna be packed!

🎭 The SpongeBob Musical (more)
📆 Through Sunday
📍Des Moines Civic Center
A fun, musical twist on the beloved cartoon—complete with volcano drama and songs by a wild list of artists.

❤️ Love You Des Moines Days (more)
📆 Through Sunday
📍Valley Community Center
400+ free events across 9 days—from pickleball to crafts to splash bashes. All ages, all fun, all free.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 77 🌡️ Low 56 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 78 🌡️ Low 57 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 77 🌡️ Low 58 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 79 🌡️ Low 61 | 🌤️ | 💧 9%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Her New Knife | 5 | Lefty’s
Not Quite Brothers | 6 | Jasper Winery
David Watson | 6 | DSM Biergarten
The Get Down | 6 | Historic Valley Junction
Jared Nels | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Mango Soul | 6:30 | Botanical Gardens
Eddie and the Getaway | 7 | xBk Live
Luke Williams | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Cardinal Duo | 8:30 | Bix & Co

Friday

Joshua Sinclair | 4":30 | Middlebrook Agrihood
Gravis Somnia | 5 | Lefty’s
Kevin Lindgren | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
James Biehn | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
David Watson | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Bad Friends | 6 | DSM Biergarten
Harrison Ingham Band | 6 | Confluence Brewing
The Soul Searchers | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Firetrucker Brewing
JB Williams | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Tony McGhee | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Johhny Laws & Vince Kline | 7 | Pally’s
Bad Decisions | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Hardway | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Bittersweet Nation | 8 | Kenny’s Garage

Saturday

Get Off My Lawn | 4 | Cheba Hut
Danny Spain Gang | 5 | Lefty’s
Stercel Barnes Band | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Great Caesar’s Goat | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Savage Freds | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Orillia w/ Abbie Sawyer | 7 | Rogue Planet Music
The Velveteers | 7 | xBk Live
Nick HErmann | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Buena Vista Orchestra | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Drew Fry | 8 | Down Under
Sister Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Mark Mallman | 8 | Locals Bar & Stage
Emo Night | 9:45 | Wooly’s

Sunday

Oreo Meatwagon | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Brother Trucker | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Tom Shadoniz | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Dan & Quinn Trilk | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
The Juan & Only | 6 | Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
The Word Alive | 7 | Wooly’s
Wyatt Flores & Evan Honer | 10:30 | Val Air Ballroom

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
52-51 | 5th Place | IL West Division

• VS Indianapolis Indians
  📆 7/31 | 🕛️ 6:38 🌿 Iowa Oaks Day
  📆 8/1 | 🕛️ 7:08 ⚓️ Marine Corp Heritage Night
  📆 8/2 | 🕛️ 6:08 👕 Cade Horton Replica T-Shirt Jersey Giveaway
  📆 8/3 | 🕛️ 1:08 ✝️ Faith and Family Day

• Next Week | @ St. Paul Saints

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].