Events

Dino Park Zoo

July 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025 - All Day at Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th St. Des Moines, IA

This summer, Blank Park Zoo transforms into Dino Park Zoo — a prehistoric experience 65 million years in the making. From July through the end of October, walk among 15 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and explore dino-themed exhibits, activities, and events that bring the ancient world roaring to life. These aren’t your average dinos. Created by the world-renowned team at Dino Don, these scientifically accurate creatures roar, move, and breathe like the real thing.

Guests will encounter a towering 40-foot-long T. rex and a Triceratops the size of a mail truck. These scientifically accurate animatronics don’t just move, they breathe, roar, and some even fart and pee, creating a truly immersive, prehistoric experience. Each dinosaur is placed throughout the zoo, right alongside your favorite animal ambassadors. Plus, learn how your favorite zoo animals are related to their prehistoric ancestors.

The dinosaurs were designed under the supervision of Don Lessem, one of the world’s leading presenters of dinosaurs. Each was created with painstaking attention to detail, using scientific supervision to bring these ancient giants to life. Lessem is the author of 40 books on dinosaurs and adviser to Stephen Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. The Argentine dinosaur, Lessemsaurus, was named in honor of his contributions to dinosaur research.

Fan-favorite zoo events will also get a prehistoric twist this summer. Zoo Brew will feature dinosaur-themed elements throughout the season. Then, in October, see the dinosaurs in a whole new light during the 35th annual Night Eyes! As the sun sets, the dinosaurs will come alive in a dazzling new way, with illuminated prehistoric creatures guiding trick-or-treaters through Des Moines’ most beloved Halloween tradition!

Learn more & get tickets!

Fleet Farm’s 70-Year Anniversary

September 12, 2025 - September 14, 2025 - All Day at
,

For 70 years, Fleet Farm has had the pleasure of serving its hardworking neighbors within communities across the Midwest.

To thank their Customers, Fleet Farm is inviting everyone to their 70th Anniversary Celebration – featuring over $170,000 in giveaways and sweepstakes.

Friday, September 12th through Sunday, September 14th, all 50 Fleet Farm stores will give away limited-edition 70th Anniversary Water Bottles, Can Coozies, and Hats to the first 500 Customers on each day.

The Giveaway Schedule:

Friday, 9/12 – Free 70th Anniversary Water Bottle for the First 500 Customers
Saturday, 9/13 – Free 70th Anniversary Can Coozie for the First 500 Customers
Sunday, 9/14 – Free 70th Anniversary Hat for the First 500 Customers

Sweepstakes available for customers to enter include the following:

John Gillespie Fishing Trip ($4,500 Value)
10 $500 Carhartt Shopping Sprees
Ariens Zero-Turn Lawn Mower ($4,299 Value)
5 Other Sweepstakes featuring Sporting Goods, Gift Cards, Tools, and Goodyear Tires

Fleet Farm will also have different opportunities for Customers to enjoy a free snack or treat while taking in the celebration:

Candy & Snack Sampling: Saturday, September 13th from 9AM until Noon
Free Hot Dogs & Popcorn: Sunday, September 14th from 11AM until 1PM
Free Cameron’s Coffee: All Weekend – Up to 20 ounces at participating Fleet Farm Gas Mart Locations

For more information on Fleet Farm’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, please reach out to the General Manager at your local Fleet Farm store or visit their website. See contact sheet for all General Manager contact information.

Steel Magnolias

September 12, 2025 - 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm at St James Celebrations
9774 G24 HWY Indianola, Iowa

St. James Celebrations presents ‘Steel Magnolias’ The heart-warming and hilarious play hits the stage Sept. 12 & 13 in the memorial chapel. St James Celebrations is located at 9774 G24 HWY, Indianola, IA. The Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:00 p.m

Set in Truvy’s (played by Kailan Wise) beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (Alison Root), who is not sure whether or not she is still married, the outspoken, wisecracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser (Charissa Hamel), (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Denise Forney), who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn (Julie Howland), whose daughter, Shelby (Rachel Thornton), the prettiest girl in town, is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play is at times touching and funny.

Directed by Michael Howland as an anniversary present for his wife, Julie. Celebrating 28 years of marriage and love for local theatre.

Contact: Michael Howland Director – 515-306-7735 doubleblessing7@yahoo.com

Tickets for “Steel Magnolias” – AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ONLY – FREE WILL OFFERING – $5 suggested donation. CASH OR VENMO please.

Steel Magnolias

September 13, 2025 - 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm at St James Celebrations
9774 G24 HWY Indianola, Iowa

St. James Celebrations presents ‘Steel Magnolias’ The heart-warming and hilarious play hits the stage Sept. 12 & 13 in the memorial chapel. St James Celebrations is located at 9774 G24 HWY, Indianola, IA. The Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:00 p.m

Set in Truvy’s (played by Kailan Wise) beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (Alison Root), who is not sure whether or not she is still married, the outspoken, wisecracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser (Charissa Hamel), (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Denise Forney), who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn (Julie Howland), whose daughter, Shelby (Rachel Thornton), the prettiest girl in town, is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play is at times touching and funny.

Directed by Michael Howland as an anniversary present for his wife, Julie. Celebrating 28 years of marriage and love for local theatre.

Contact: Michael Howland Director – 515-306-7735 doubleblessing7@yahoo.com

Tickets for “Steel Magnolias” – AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ONLY – FREE WILL OFFERING – $5 suggested donation. CASH OR VENMO please.

Mudvayne: L.D. 50 25th Anniversary Tour

September 13, 2025 - 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm at Vibrant Music Hall
2855 Grand Prairie Pkwy Waukee, Iowa

LAZER presents Mudvayne with Vended.

Get tickets.

Out of the Darkness – Suicide Prevention Walk

September 21, 2025 - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at DMACC
2006 S. Ankeny Boulevard Ankeny, IA

The Community Walks, held in hundreds of communities across the country, are the core of the Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost.

Every dollar you raise through the Out of the Darkness Walks allows AFSP to invest in life-saving research, education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide. To save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide, it’s more important than ever to stay connected.

Register, donate, or volunteer now.