PRESENTED BY

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

It’s a full week in the metro. Easter, Earth Day, and the kickoff to Drake Relays are all packed in before next week’s issue. Whether you’re chasing eggs, planting something green, or lacing up your shoes for a run, there’s a little something for everyone to get into.

In todays issue:

• 🌎 Earth Day in Des Moines

• 🐰 Easter fun + weekend plans

• 🏀 New sports complex opens in Waukee

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Earth Day In DSM 🌎️🪴♻️ 

The first Earth Day was back in 1970—a response to smog-filled skies, polluted rivers, and a growing awareness that we needed to take better care of the planet. Since then, it’s grown into a global tradition, but here in Des Moines, it’s also a local one. It shows up in little ways: neighbors planting native flowers, families biking to the farmers market, or volunteers picking up litter on the trails.

Around town, you’ll find plenty of folks doing their part. Art Terrarium doesn’t just sell plants—they host swap events and eco-friendly workshops that bring people together. In the East Village, Eden makes sustainable shopping feel approachable, with low-waste beauty and home goods that are as thoughtful as they are stylish. And over at AllSpice, you can refill your favorite oils and spices—cutting down on packaging while still keeping dinner interesting.

If you’re looking for simple ways to celebrate Earth Day, here are a few ideas:

• Compost your kitchen scraps (or try out a local drop-off site)

• Plant something pollinator-friendly—even a pot of flowers on the porch helps

• Bring your own bags when you’re out running errands

• Explore a trail, clean up a park, or just spend time outside

Small steps add up. However you mark the day, it’s a chance to slow down and remember we’re all stewards of this place we call home.

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Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or a milestone celebration, Dapper DJs deliver more than music—they set the vibe and keep the party going all night long. From dazzling lighting effects to seamless transitions, they ensure every detail is covered so you can relax and enjoy the moment.

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THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🏀 Game On in Waukee

The Kettlestone Central Sports Complex is officially open and ready to host its first tournament this weekend. The new Waukee facility includes two massive 65,000-square-foot buildings, each with six full-size basketball courts. The sunken courts come with stadium seating and can be converted for volleyball play as well. It's the crown jewel of the larger Kettlestone Central development.

➡️ Background
➡️ Kettlestone Central

🚐 Park-N-Play Rolls Into Action

Des Moines Parks and Rec is hitting the road with its new Park-N-Play mobile recreation vehicle. The program will pop up at parks and schools around the city with games, sports gear, crafts, and more—all free and ready to go. A fun, flexible way to bring play to every corner of the city.

➡️ See the full Schedule

🔥 Caitlin Clark Makes More History

We already knew Caitlin Clark would return to Iowa on May 4 for a WNBA preseason game with the Indiana Fever at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. But now, it’s official: ESPN is picking it up—marking the first nationally televised WNBA exhibition game in history, per The Athletic. She’s not just playing the game—she’s changing it.

➡️ More on the story

HEART OF DSM ❤️ 

🥕 Featured Nonprofit: Eat Greater Des Moines

This Earth Day, we’re spotlighting a local organization making sustainability delicious. Eat Greater Des Moines connects people with healthy food—while also tackling food waste across the metro. From rescuing surplus food to supporting community fridges and gardens, they’re reimagining what a resilient, equitable food system looks like right here in central Iowa.

Whether you’ve got a green thumb or just hate to see leftovers go to waste, this is one local group that’s always planting something good.

➡️ Learn more or get involved

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

📚 Bag Book Sale
Fill a bag with books for a bargain—great for stocking up before summer reading season.
📍 WDM Public Library (Google Maps)
📆 Thursday–Friday
➡️ While Supplies Last

🌿 Iowa Bonsai Association Spring Show & Sale
Explore the art of bonsai with exhibits, demos, and plants for sale.
📍 Botanical Garden (Google Maps)
📆 Friday & Saturday
➡️ Details

👟 Drake Road Races
Kick off Relays week with a 5K, 10K, or half marathon—then stick around for the after party.
📍 Drake Stadium (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 7:30 AM
➡️ Info & Tracking

♻️ Mega SCRUB Event
Drop off old electronics, tires, and more for proper disposal at this massive spring cleanup.
📍 Merle Hay Mall (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 7 AM–1 PM
➡️ Details
➡️ What is accepted

🚘 Cars & Coffee
Start your Saturday with cool cars and hot coffee—always a local favorite.
📍 7300 Westown Pkwy (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 8 AM
➡️ Rules and more

🌎 Earth Day at the Botanical Garden
Celebrate Earth Day with garden tours, eco-stations, and hands-on activities for all ages.
📍 Botanical Garden (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 9 AM
➡️ Check it out

🐰 Hop Into Uptown
Egg hunts, live music, and family-friendly fun take over Uptown Ankeny.
📍 Uptown Ankeny (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 10 AM
➡️ Schedule

🌸 Earth Day Shop Hop
Support local makers and discover sustainable goods in the Highland Park district.
📍 Highland Park Business District (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 10 AM
➡️ Details

📷 Easter Bunny Photos
Bring the kids (or pets!) for a festive photo op with the Easter Bunny.
📍 Nebraska Furniture Mart (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday, 10 AM–1 PM
➡️ Details

🐶 Doggy Easter Egg Hunt
Dogs hunt for treat-filled eggs while you enjoy drinks and dog-friendly vendors.
📍 Paws and Pints (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday, 10 AM
➡️ Get the scoop

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 75 🌡️ Low 53 | 🌤️ | 💧 20%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 56 🌡️ Low 38 | 🌥️ | 💧 17%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

Saturday

High 61 🌡️ Low 41 | 🌥️ | 💧 3%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 59 🌡️ Low 42 | 🌥️ | 💧 32%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

David Watson | 6 | Confluence Brewing
MercyMe | 7 | Wells Fargo Arena
Olive Klug w/ Pine & Fire | 7 | xBk Live
Luke Fox | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Halestorm’s Lzzy and Joe | 8 | Hoyt Sherman

Friday

Randy Burk | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Brother Trucker | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Hudson Road | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
The Soul Searchers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Willie Shay | 7 | Simon’s
The Drama Kings | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
The Devil Wears Prada | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
The Schmids | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
The Sheet | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Womanish Girl w/ Jenny Kohls Band | 8 | xBk Live
The Remedy | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Suede | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
The Unfortunate Sons | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
High Bidders | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Decoy Duo | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Ducharme-Jones Band | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Wally & Kim from Haywire | 7 | Sully’s
Damon Dotson | 7:30 | The Cork
Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes | 8 | xBk Live
Oreo Meatwagon | 8 | Down Under
Mike Aceto | 8 | Doug’s Pub & Grub
The People’s Band | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Heath Allen | 8:30 | Greenwood Lounge
Blanket Fort | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee

Sunday

Blue Felix & more | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
Some Friends | 7:30 | Wooly’s

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
9-6 | 2nd Place | IL West Division

• VS Saint Paul Saint
  📆 4/17 | 🕛️ 12:08
  📆 4/18 | 🕛️ 7:08
  📆 4/19 | 🕛️ 3:08
  📆 4/20 | 🕛️ 1:08

• Next week | @ Louisville Bats

Football 🏈

Iowa Barnstormers
0-3 | 7th place | Eastern Division

• No Game This Week

Hockey 🏒 

Iowa Wild
27-37-6-1 | 6th place | Central Division

• VS Grand Rapids Griffins
  🙌 Fan Appreciation Night
  📆 4/19 | 🕛️ 6

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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

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