PRESENTED BY

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

Another classic hot July weekend in Des Moines. Plenty to do—and hey, we can finally water our lawns again… if the rain ever lets up.

In todays issue:

• 🎈 Balloon Classic launches Friday

• ☕ New café alert in Clive

• 🔄 Kum & Go begins rebranding

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

National Balloon Classic Returns🎈 

Every summer, the skies over Indianola come alive with a burst of color during the National Balloon Classic. Starting this Friday, more than 100 hot air balloons will fill the air for nine days of sunrise ascensions, evening flights, and the always-popular Night Glow. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that draws balloonists and spectators from across the country—and for good reason.

Beyond the balloons, you’ll find live music, great food and drink, local vendors, and even tethered balloon rides for those who want a taste of flight without leaving the ground. Whether you’re catching a quiet dawn patrol or watching the balloons light up the field at night, the Balloon Classic is pure summer magic.

PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros offers a swift and cost-effective kitchen transformation without the hassle of demolition. Serving the Des Moines area, they specialize in updating existing cabinets, achieving a fresh look in just 3 to 5 days. Their process is designed to be less intrusive and more affordable than traditional remodels, making it an attractive option for homeowners seeking a kitchen update.

Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🆕 Just Opened

☕ Midnight Coffee, a favorite in Eastern Iowa, has officially landed in Clive. The brand takes over the former St. Kilda Café & Bakery space, bringing its signature brews to the metro. Story →

🚘 Porsche is back in Des Moines for the first time in 17 years. Woodhouse Auto Group just opened Iowa’s only Porsche dealership, located in West Des Moines. Story →

🍳 Oak Park is getting a sister spot. Canopy is a new breakfast-and-lunch restaurant opening in 2026 just a few blocks away. It’ll also include a market. Story →

⛽️ Kum & Gone

It’s been over two years since Maverik acquired Kum & Go, and now the change is becoming visible. Starting later this month, Iowa locations will begin the rebrand to Maverik.

Full Story →

🚧 Fleur Drive: Under Construction (Again)

Fleur Drive will once again be under construction (shocking, we know). This time it’s a resurfacing project that will reduce lanes through mid-October.
Also… shout out to Raygun for the perfect shirt.

Full article →

💧 Watering Ban Loosens Up

Central Iowa Water Works is gradually lifting the lawn watering ban. Here's the new schedule:
🌱 Even-numbered addresses: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays
🌱 Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Stay hydrated—responsibly.

Full Article →

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

🐴 Party in the Park (more info)
📆 Thursday | ⏰ 5:30 PM
📍Centennial Park, Huxley
A kid-focused evening with a petting zoo, horse rides, tractors, food trucks, and even a potato race!

🚒 Water Days (more info)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 1–4 PM
📍Urbandale Fire Station #43, 15100 Meredith Dr
Cool off with water slides, fire hoses, and family fun while supporting Special Olympics Iowa!

🍹 Summer Stir (more info)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 5–9 PM
📍AJ’s on East Court (Check-in)
Hit up the East Village for a traveling cocktail party with 10 drinks, 1 map, and endless good vibes.

🎬 Friday Night Live: Wicked (more info)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8:30 PM
📍Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
Bring a blanket, grab some Cuban food, and catch Wicked under the stars—with free popcorn, of course.

🛍️ DSM Flea (more info)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 8 AM–2 PM
📍Cowles Commons
Start year 2 of DSM Flea with DJs, vintage fashion, local makers—and now food vendors, too!

🚗 10th Annual Valley Classic (more info)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 AM–1 PM
📍Valley Community Center
Check out 400+ cars at this free community favorite. Bring your ride or just come admire the classics!

🛒 Summer Sale-A-Bration! (more info)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 AM
📍Historic Valley Junction
Score big deals from local merchants, try a new restaurant, and explore DIY studios all day long.

🎨 Indianola Summer Arts Festival (more info)
📆 Saturday–Sunday | ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM
📍Buxton Park, Indianola
Over 30 artists, yard games, live music, and food trucks in a beautiful park setting. Parade passes by 10:30 AM Saturday!

🌺 LUA LU’AU 2025 (more info)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM–11 PM
📍Lua Brewing
Live music, a hog roast, tropical brews, and plenty more—Lua’s throwing a party you don’t want to miss.

🛍️ Summer Sip n’ Shop (more info)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 2–6 PM
📍Jasper Winery
Sip, shop, and snag a swag bag while browsing curated vendors at this chill summer hangout.

🍵 Des Moines Tea Festival (more info)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 9 AM–3 PM
📍Des Moines Heritage Center
Taste teas from around the world, take a class, and browse vendors—all for just $5 with a sample cup.

💪 Sweat and Sip (more info)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 2–4 PM
📍Jasper Winery
Orangetheory leads a 45-minute full-body workout, then it’s time to sip wine and relax.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 83 🌡️ Low 71 | ⛈️ | 💧 47%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Friday

High 81 🌡️ Low 71 | ☁️ | 💧 24%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 88 🌡️ Low 72 | 🌦️ | 💧 37%
Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Sunday

High 93 🌡️ Low 76 | 🌥️ | 💧 9%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Beck w/ DSM Symphony | 5 | Water Works Park
The Get Down Band | 5 | Ankeny Market & Pavilion
On Hiatus | 5:30 | Lefty’s
Dazy Head Mazy | 6 | Jasper Winery
Buckmiller Schwager Band | 6 | Valley Junction
Tigirlily Gold | 6 | The District at Prairie Trail
The Crowfoot Rakes | 6:30 | Botanical Gardens
‘ceptet | 7 | Noce
Burt Bacharach | 7 | xBk Live
Catch Your Breath | 7 | Wooly’s
Wynonna Judd | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Dan Medeiros | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Joshua Sinclair | 8:30 | Bix & Co

Friday

The Matt Woods Band | 4:30 | Middlebrook Agrihood
Orphan Annie Trio | 5 | Truman’s
Canaan James | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Brian Congdon | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Kick & Decoy | 5:30 | Riverview Park
Jenny Kohls | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Johnny Laws & Vince Cline | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Dave Zollo | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Squares | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Alex Schroeder | 7 | Firetrucker Brewing
Silversonic | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Mike Zito | 8 | xBk Live
Haywire | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Night Like This | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Bond | 8 | Kenny’s Garage

Saturday

Jesse & The Medicine Men | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Lonnie McFadden | 5 | Noce
Kracklin | 5 | Winterset Cidery
See No Evil | 5:30 | Lefty’s
Adam Girard | 6 | Fenders Brewing
Bob Pace & The Power | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Brother Trucker | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Trip | 7 | The Cork
Casey Peasley | 7 | The Other Place
Heads in Motion | 8 | xBk Live
Other Brothers | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Motley Scrue | 8 | Down Under
Round A Bout | 8:30 | Back Roads Lounge

Sunday

Dustin Farrow | 11 | Cheba Hut
Fabulous Tru Tones | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Dan Medeiros | 2 | Truman’s
Velvet Trio | 2 | Surety Hotel
Brian Congdon | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Corbett Reeves | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Paul Little | 5 | Exile Brewing
Opus Taylor | 5 | East Village - Music on the Bridge
The Union Underground & Spineshank | 7 | Wooly’s
Deep Sea Diver w Meernaa | 7 | xBk Live

SPORTS 🏈🏅

High School State Baseball (Sioux City/Carroll) and Softball (Fort Dodge) are happening this week. Check out Bound to keep up with the action.

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
50-47 | 5th Place | IL West Division

• @ Louisville Bats
  📆 7/24 | 🕛️ 5:35
  📆 7/25 | 🕛️ 6:15
  📆 7/26 | 🕛️ 6:15
  📆 7/27 | 🕛️ 12:05

• Next Week | VS Indianapolis Indians

Football 🏈

Iowa Barnstormers
1-14 | 7th place | Eastern Division

• @ Fishers Freight
  📆 7/25 | 🕛️ 6:05

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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