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

I don’t know about you, but June always catches me off guard. One minute it’s chilly and springy, and the next it’s full-blown summer. Somehow, we skipped the gradual part.

In todays issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

June is here, and that means it's Pride Month — a time to celebrate love, identity, and inclusion across the country and right here in Des Moines. Capital City Pride is putting on events all month long, with the big celebration — Pridefest — taking over downtown this weekend.

Whether you're showing up in support, attending your first parade, or just looking to take part in the fun, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what’s happening this weekend:

📅 Events run all month long — see the full calendar here: Capital City Pride »

Some of the toughest endurance athletes in the world will descend on Des Moines this Sunday for the Ironman 70.3, a grueling triathlon that includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run.

The race kicks off at Gray’s Lake, winds through Water Works Park, and wraps up downtown — meaning road closures and thousands of spectators will fill the city center. Over 2,000 athletes from around the globe are expected to compete.

If you’re not racing, it’s still worth checking out the Ironman Village (open Friday–Sunday) or cheering from the sidelines.

📍 Race Day: Sunday, June 8
➡️ Course details and schedule »

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 City of Des Moines has purchased the former YMCA building on E Army Post Road for $2.5 million. Closed since 2020, the 26-year-old facility will become an expansion of the Police Academy campus located next door.

Read More »

Des Moines has approved a dedicated rideshare zone aimed at improving safety and traffic flow in the Court Avenue entertainment district. Located on 3rd Street just south of Court, the hub will operate from 10 PM to 3 AM — peak nightlife hours.

Read More »

A new two-story floating restaurant called Floaters is coming to the Saylorville Marina in 2026. With a rooftop patio and seasonal hours (April through October), it’s set to make a splash for lakeside dining in central Iowa.

Read More »

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

🍦 Summer Bash (more)
📅 Thursday | 🕓 9:00 AM
📍 Learning Post & Toys, 2761 100th St
Celebrate summer with ice cream, giveaways, and flower planting fun.

🎨 Greek Food Fair (more)
📅 Friday–Sunday | 🕓 All Weekend
📍 St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 35th St
Enjoy authentic Greek food, dancing, and cultural celebrations.

🚚 Touch a Truck (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Nebraska Furniture Mart, 15500 Hickman Rd
Explore big trucks, enjoy crafts, and meet the pros behind the wheels.

🧪 Summer Science Day (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 11:00 AM
📍 Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St
Hands-on science fun with AI labs, gravity games, and zoo animals.

🍺 Iowa Craft Brew Festival (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 12–4 PM
📍 Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy
Sample 300+ craft beers from over 60 breweries across the region.

🎡 Raccoon River Palooza (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 All Day
📍 Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave
Live music, food trucks, and water fun all day at the lake.

🎉 Family Fest (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 The Yard @ Johnston Town Center, 6221 Merle Hay Rd
Free family event with shows, food trucks, and kids’ activities.

🎶 Waukee Palooza (more)
📅 Saturday | 🕓 4–10 PM
📍 Hy-Vee Waukee, 1005 E Hickman Rd
Live music, raffles, and summer fun for all ages.

🛍️ Spring Sip & Shop (more)
📅 Sunday | 🕓 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Middlebrook Mercantile, 4125 Cumming Ave
Sip drinks, shop local vendors, and tour homes in the Agrihood.

🎤 Matt Rife (more)
📅 Sunday | 🕓 7:00 PM
📍 Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St
Catch the viral comedian live for a night of laughs and sharp wit.

Thursday

High 77 🌡 Low 61 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 77 🌡 Low 62 | 🌤️ | 💧 9%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 77 🌡 Low 61 | 🌧 | 💧 40%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Sunday

High 78 🌡 Low 57 | 🌤️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Thursday

Lonewolf & more | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Red Hott | 5 | Valley Junction Farmers Market
The Stolen Winnebagos | 6 | Jasper Winery
RetroSpect | 6 | Des Moines Botanical Garden
The Maytags | 7 | xBk Live
Erf | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge

Friday

Jeshua Marshal and the Flood | 5:30 | Lefty’s Live Music
Whiskey Myers | 6:30 | Water Works Park
Stark Raving Madge | 7 | Wooly’s
NOLA Jazz Band | 7 | Noce
Jenny Kohls Band | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Alex Shroeder | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
Acid Bath | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
The Sons of Gladys Kravitz | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Mary Runyon Band | 8 | Doc’s Lounge

Saturday

Meadowbrook Circle | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Malcom Wells & The Two Timers | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Blackberry Smoke | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Sarah Tonin & more | 8 | xBk Live
Bob Pace & The Power | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Drive Thirty5 | 8 | Down Under
Cozy Worldwide | 9 | Vibrant Music Hall
Nathan Thiessen | 9:30 | xBk Annex

Sunday

Corey Jamison | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Joel Sires/Yetter/Druids | 3 | xBk Live
Eliana Franzenburg | 5 | Exile Brewing
Coheed and Cambria | 6:30 | Vibrant Music Hall

⚽️ State Soccer Championships This Weekend
📍 Girls in Ames | 📍 Boys in Des Moines

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or keeping tabs from home, here are a couple of great ways to follow the action:

Best of luck to all the teams competing!

Baseball ⚾

Iowa Cubs
30-26 | 5th Place | IL West Division

Soccer ⚽

Des Moines Menace
4-1 | 12 PTS | 2nd place | Great Plains Division

Football 🏈

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

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

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