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- 🌅 Summer’s here — and we’ve got the cheat code
🌅 Summer’s here — and we’ve got the cheat code
Nick Rivas
June 12, 2025
PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Shoutout to all the dads out there. This one’s for you. 👊
In todays issue:
👷 Endangered Buildings List Revealed
🎙️ Volunteer for National Speech and Debate
👨👦 Father’s Day Fun Around the Metro
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
🌞 The Des Moines Summer Starter Pack
It may not technically be summer, but go outside and tell me it’s not.
It’s here. The season of backyard BBQs, ballgames, and navigating Farmers Markets with a stroller and a tote that’s never quite big enough. (Is that just me?)
If you’re still warming up to summer, here’s a quick Starter Pack to help you make the most of it — DSM-style:
🍦 First Ice Cream Stop:
Nothing says summer like that first cone. Snookie’s, Black Cat, Van Dee’s, Bauder’s and The Outside Scoop are all local favorites — you can’t go wrong, I promise.
🎶 Live Music Vibes:
Jasper Winery’s Summer Concert Series is a Thursday night classic — good tunes, food trucks, and a glass of wine in the grass.
Other weekly series worth checking out:
Music in the Junction (Thursdays in Valley Junction)
Local Bands, Brews, and Bites (Sundays at Lauridsen Amphitheater)
Music in the Garden (Every Thursday at the Botanical Garden)
Summer Concert Series (Thursdays at Confluence Brewing)
🛶 On the Water:
Gray’s Lake and Raccoon River Park both offer kayak and paddleboard rentals — or get out the full-size boat and cruise around Saylorville Lake. Either way, it’s prime time to be near the water.
🍻 Patio Season Picks:
Big Grove and Lua are great for beers and bites. Want something different? Try Either/Or or grab a spot outside at Eatery A.
🌽 Only-in-DSM Events:
From the State Fair to the Art Festival to Hinterland, there’s a little something for everyone once the calendar flips to summer.
Let’s settle this:
What’s the one Des Moines summer tradition you couldn’t live without? |
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 30th , 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 📱📰
🏚 Endangered Buildings in Des Moines
Des Moines Heritage Trust just released its list of the 7 most endangered buildings in the city — a mix of forgotten landmarks, former gathering spaces, and once-thriving commercial corners now at risk of being lost.
🎙️ Volunteers Needed: Iowa Speech & Debate
The Iowa Speech & Debate team is looking for volunteers to help run its upcoming national tournament — a great opportunity to support students competing at the highest level.
👨👧 Father’s Day Fun
Looking for ways to celebrate the dads (or dog dads) in your life? Here are some Father’s Day events happening around the metro:
➡️ Events run all weekend long — check local listings for times and details.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
🩰 Summer Stem Tour (more)
📅 Thursday | 🕓 6 PM
📍 Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy
Bring your picnics and blankets and join Ballet DSM for this free, family-friendly performance at the Lauridsen Amphitheater.
🎉 Party in the Park (more)
📅 Friday | 🕓 5–9 PM
📍 Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Ave
No tickets needed — just show up and have fun! Enjoy a beer garden, food trucks, live music, bounce houses, laser tag, lawn games, and more.
🎩 Magic for Adults (more)
📅 Friday | 🕓 7 PM
📍 Funny Bone, 560 S Prairie View Dr
Eric from Masters of Illusion brings his hit, adults-only comedy magic show to town. Expect mind-blowing tricks, laughs, and something totally different.
🎨 North of Grand Art Stroll (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 38th St between Center & Woodland
A block party-style art stroll with neighborhood pop-up galleries, street art, and creative vibes throughout the community. The event kicks off Art on the Avenues.
🥓 Bacoon Ride (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 2 PM
📍 Raccoon River Valley Trailhead, Waukee
The ride where bacon meets biking. Expect food stops, drink specials, and bacon-themed fun all along the trail.
🎸 US Air Guitar Championships
📅 Saturday | 🕓 9 PM
📍 Back Roads Lounge, 8460 Birchwood Ct
It’s time to shred or be shredded at the Des Moines regional. Free to watch, $10 to compete — participants must check in by 8 PM.
🎧 Vinyl Brew (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 1–6 PM
📍 Firetrucker Brewery, 716 SW 3rd St
Beer, cocktails, and crate-digging vibes. Vinyl Cup Records spins live as you browse new & used records and enjoy the pours.
🚴 Pedal the Prairie (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 8 AM
📍 Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, 9981 Pacific St
Ride the Prairie Parkway and Red Rock Prairie Trails at your own pace. Start in Prairie City and pedal through scenic nature routes.
🛍️ Ankeny Kids Makers Market (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 8 AM – 12 PM
📍 Uptown Ankeny, 601 SW 3rd St
All products made by kids! Shop jewelry, crafts, baked goods, veggies, and more during the Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market.
⚾ We Will x Iowa Cubs (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 5 PM
📍 Principal Park, 1 Line Dr
ISU athletes join fans for meet & greets, first pitches, and a 7th inning Juicy Wiggle. Don’t miss the silent auction and fun extras.
🎭 Cajun Fest (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 11 AM
📍 The Hall, 111 S 11th St
Celebrate Cajun food, drinks, and culture — no cover charge, just come ready to enjoy bold flavors and good music.
🎶 Free Range Music & BBQ Festival (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 2 PM
📍 Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Pkwy
A full day of BBQ, craft beverages, and live Americana music at one of DSM’s best summer venues. Admission is free!
🎨 2025 Art Festival (more)
📅 Sunday | 🕓 10 AM – 5 PM
📍 Captain Roy's, 1900 Saylor Rd
Shop local art, food, and drinks by the river. Kid- and dog-friendly, free to attend — just be respectful of the artists’ work.
WEATHER 🌞🌡️
Thursday
High 86 🌡️ Low 65 | 🌤️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Friday
High 84 🌡️ Low 67 | ☁️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Saturday
High 86 🌡️ Low 67 | 🌤️ | 💧 17%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Sunday
High 85 🌡️ Low 67 | 🌤️ | 💧 24%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Decoy | 6 | Jasper Winery
Blacktop | 6 | Valley Junction Farmers Market
Faster Pussy Cat w/ Supersuckers & more | 6 | Lefty’s
Surf Zombies | 6 | Des Moines Botanical Garden
Chad Elliott | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Friday
Theo Linebaugh | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Savage Freds | 6 | Firetrucker Brewery
Ryne Doughty | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Domita Show | 7 | Noce
Chris Patterson | 7 | xBk Annex
honestav | 8 | Wooly’s
Mary Runyan Band | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Jordan Messerole | 8 | xBk Live
The Relics | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
JJ & The Boys | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Space Monkey Mafia | 9:30| Lefty’s
Saturday
Green Jelly & more | 5 | Lefty’s
The Get Down | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Joe Demerath | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Suede | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Dead Posey | 7 | xBk Live
Jackson Churchill | 7 | Noce
Banjokat & The Sit-Ins | 9 | Lefty’s
Sunday
Dogtown Rhythm Band | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Andrew Hoyt | 5 | Exile Brewing Co
Avery Lee and the Sweeties | 6 | Lefty’s
SPORTS 🏈🏅
Baseball ⚾️
Iowa Cubs
34-29 | 4th Place | IL West Division
VS Louisville Bats
📆 6/12 | 🕛️ 12:38
📆 6/12 | 🕛️ 6:38
📆 6/13 | 🕛️ 7:08
📆 6/14 | 🕛️ 6:08
📆 6/15 | 🕛️ 1:08Next Week | @ Nashville Sounds
Soccer ⚽️
Des Moines Menace
5-1-0 | 15 PTS | 1st place | Great Plains Division
VS Peoria City
📆 6/14 | 🕛️ 7
Football 🏈
Iowa Barnstormers
1-8 | 7th place | Eastern Division
VS Massachusetts Pirates
📆 6/14 | 🕛️ 7:05
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].
