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🌅 Welcome to the Main Event
What to do (and eat) at the Fair — plus 515 Brewing is for sale?

PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Happy Thursday! Quick favor — if you know someone who loves the Fair, or someone who's always looking for things to do around town, send this newsletter their way. Just one share helps us grow. 🙌
In todays issue:
🎡 Iowa State Fair Begins
🌽 Sweet Corn Mania
🍺 Local Beer Updates
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas

🎡 Iowa State Fair 🐄
The Iowa State Fair is back. It kicked off with the parade last night, and the gates are officially open today. You know the drill—this thing has been going strong for over 175 years and remains one of the biggest and best agricultural and industrial expos in the country.
If you’re from Iowa, odds are you’ve been to the Fair (probably more times than you can count) and have your own go-to traditions. For me, it’s a stop at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, a bucket of Barksdale cookies, and my wife always makes a beeline for the Veggie Table. Let me know some of your favorites!
To help you make the most of it this year, I’ve rounded up a few useful links:

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 📱📰
🍻 Brewery for Sale
If you've ever dreamed of owning a brewery, this might be your shot—515 Brewing Co. is officially for sale. The Clive-based brewery has been a staple in the local scene for over a decade, but the current owners are ready to pass the baton.
The taproom will stay open for now, so if you’ve never been, it’s worth swinging by for a pint while you still can.
🏘️ Urbandale Named 2026 Iowa Thriving Community
Urbandale is one of just five cities selected as a 2026 Iowa Thriving Community, a program focused on housing readiness and long-term growth. The designation will give Urbandale access to state resources to help boost its housing development strategy in the coming years.
News →
🍺 Two Iowa Breweries Crack Top 10 in U.S.
The 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship just dropped its Top 10 Breweries by medal count—and Iowa showed up strong. Two Iowa breweries landed among the best in the nation:
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. (Decorah)
Confluence Brewing Company (Des Moines) – also named Brewery of the Year in the 5,001–15,000 barrel category
With over 9,000 beers judged from breweries around the world, making this list is a big deal—and a big win for the Iowa craft beer scene.
Might be a good weekend to raise a glass in their honor. 🍻


WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
🧁 Toy Story Breakfast (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9:30 AM
📍Clouds European Cafe
Join Woody, Buzz, and the gang for a sky-high breakfast adventure—complete with themed treats, character photo ops, and out-of-this-world views.
🛩️ AirPower History Tour (more)
📆 Through Sunday | ⏰ 9:00 AM–5 PM
📍Des Moines International Airport
Get up close to iconic WWII aircraft—including the legendary B-29 “FIFI.” Ground tours all weekend, ride flights Saturday & Sunday morning only.
🦷 Iowa Cubs Summer Drive (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 7:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍Principal Park
Donate blood, score an “I Bleed Baseball” tee, a game ticket, and maybe even shoot the hot dog gun. It’s a home run for a great cause.
🍬 Life-Size Candyland (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍Altoona Public Library
Wander through a life-size board full of lollipops, chocolate, and sweet prizes. Ages 12 and under, no registration needed.
🎨 Uptown Artist Market (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍Uptown Shopping Center
Live music, adoptable pups, interactive art for kids, and 30+ local makers. Shop small and soak up the vibe.
🌽 Adel Sweet Corn Festival (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ All day
📍Downtown Adel
Free sweet corn, a big hometown parade, live music, kids’ activities, and beer garden fun—it’s small-town summer at its best.
🥧 Summer Sampler (more)
📆 Saturday–Sunday | ⏰ 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍Iowa Orchard
Try a bit of everything: pies, preserves, peaches, and more. Admission is $5—get your ticket and discover a new favorite.
📚 Book Sale (more)
📆 Through Sunday | ⏰ 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍Urbandale Public Library
Books, puzzles, DVDs, and even cake pans—priced to move and perfect for building your personal library on a budget.
🎭 Naughty Nerds Cabaret: Nerdtopia (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 8:00 PM
📍xBk Live
A nerdlesque revue like no other. Expect fan-favorite cosplay, cheeky comedy, and some seriously geeky heat.
🐶 End of Summer Doggie Dip (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM
📍Nahas Aquatic Center
Let your pup take one last summer swim! $5 per dog + admission. Advance registration required at dsm.city/register.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️
Thursday
High 89 🌡️ Low 75 | 🌦️ | 💧 42%
Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way
Friday
High 93 🌡️ Low 77 | ☀️ | 💧 4%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Saturday
High 87 🌡️ Low 70 | 🌥️ | 💧 24%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Sunday
High 83 🌡️ Low 67 | 🌦️ | 💧 57%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Dayglo Abortions | 5:30 | Lefty’s
Neil Anders | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Dick Danger Band | 6 | Music in the Junction
Diplomats of Solid Sound | 6:30 | Botanical Gardens
Citizen Soldier | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
Jessie Murph | 7 | Water Works Park
Sam Ross & Co | 7 | Noce
Three Dog Night | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
The Sons of Gladys Kravitz | 7:30 | Johnston Town Center
Chris Falcon | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
The Road Warriors | 9 | Lefty’s
Friday
The Crowfoot Rakes | 4:30 | Middlebrook Agrihood
February | 5 | Lefty’s
David Watson | 5 | Caffrey’s
Brian Congdon | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Hot Bunch | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Piano Man Richard | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Chad Elliott | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Mihali | 7 | Wooly’s
(Not) The Law | 7 | xBk Live
Grain Powered Duo | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Dan Trilk | 8 | 6th Avenue Listening Room
Jenny Kohls Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Second Half | 9:30 | Lefty’s
Saturday
Steve Grismore Trio | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Spill Canvas | 7 | Lefty’s
The Drama Kings | 7 | The Station
MFKS | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Jones & Owens Trio | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Luke Farland | 7 | Mickey’s Waukee
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Sunday
Potter Music | 11 | Cheba Hut
Pullin’ Strings | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Jana West & RetroSpect | 2 | Truman’s
Yubu | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Joe Demerath | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Stringfield | 3 | WIlson’s Orchard & Farm
David Watson | 5 | Exile Brewing
The Punching Pandas | 6 | Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
Ice Nine Kills | 6:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Zao | 6:30 | xBk Live
KC Bones | 7 | Lefty’s

SPORTS 🏈🏅
Baseball ⚾️
Iowa Cubs
53-55 | 5th Place | IL West Division
@ St. Paul Saints
📆 8/7 | 🕛️ 7:07
📆 8/8 | 🕛️ 7:07
📆 8/9 | 🕛️ 6:37
📆 8/10 | 🕛️ 2:07Next Week | Vs Worcester Red Sox

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].
