Jazz in July at Hoyt Sherman. Photo by Julianne Gregory
15 THINGS TO DO FOR DES MOINES' SENIORS
By Jackie Wilson
Five. Four. Three. Two. One. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discover what is happening in Des Moines this summer. Get out your calendar, mark your favorite activities and launch into your next warm-weather adventure. From stargazing to free concerts to a classic car show, these options offer summertime entertainment for people of all ages — but especially active seniors.
Five… live music options
Windsor Heights’ Nights in the Heights offers a Tuesday night concert series at Colby Park. Bring your chairs and attend in a relaxed park setting. Playing on June 24 is Bob Pace and the Power and on July 8, RetroSpect with Jana West.
The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, located at 4100 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, offers free outdoor tunes for Friday Night Live, Summer Sundays and community band concerts. Standing Hampton plays July 18. On July 25, Major Blues and the Mug Shots perform. www.wdm.iowa.gov/jha.
On Wednesdays, head downtown to a new urban neighborhood near Gray’s Lake. Gray’s Station at 469 S.W. 12th St. offers live music and food trucks. On June 25: Avey Grouws Band.
Air Supply celebrates its 50th anniversary with a concert at the Des Moines Civic Center on July 20. Tickets cost from $50-$90, plus fees.
Hoyt Sherman Place offers Jazz in July. These free concerts take place in the grounds outside the historic theater. On July 8, the Valley High School Combo kicks things off, followed by Mike Conrad’s Hard Bop Express. https://hoytsherman.org/events/.
Four… family-friendly festivals
The Polk City 4 Seasons Festival includes a parade, music, food, vendors, bingo and more on June 27-28 at the Polk City downtown square. While you are there, stop at nearby Saylorville Lake or Big Creek to hike the trails, go boating, fishing or have a picnic.
The Clive Festival in Campbell Park in Clive from July 18-19 includes a carnival, games, nightly concerts and fireworks. www.clivefestival.com.
The Waukee Arts Festival on July 18-19 at Centennial Park in Waukee is much more than the 100 featured artists. It includes kids activities, a beverage garden and a footrace plus daily and nightly concerts.
Ankeny’s Summerfest runs July 11-13 at the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. The three-day fest starts on Friday night and includes a carnival, parade, music, food and vendors. Live music on Saturday and Sundays run from 1-9 p.m. https://ankenysummerfest.com/.
Three… around-town freebies
Take a steep, winding drive up to MacRae Park at 1021 Davis Ave. in Des Moines. There, walk to the end of the catwalk lookout for a sweeping view of downtown Des Moines. Snap a selfie at sunset and post to your favorite social media site.
Attend the Valley Classic Car Show on July 26, where you might find the exact car you went to prom in. The 10th annual show is held at the Valley Community Center at 4444 Fuller Road in West Des Moines. In addition to hundreds of classic cars, the event includes kids activities and a free lunch.
Head over to the Jester Park Nature Center at 12130 N.W. 128th St. in Granger for a “Raptor Force” presentation on June 29. Local photographer Ty Smedes shares stories about capturing photographic images of raptors. www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events
Two… winery wind-downs
Sundays are fun days at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2183-320th St. Sample Iowa wines or enjoy beer and other spirits to sip on. Free music goes from 2-5 p.m. On June 22, Kinda Petty performs, and July 6, The Sons of Gladys Kravitz do. https://thecellarwinery.com.
Prairie Moon Winery outside of Ames provides music on Sundays from 3-6 p.m. On July 21, listen to Jesse and the Medicine Men, playing classic country music. $5. www.prairiemoonwinery.com
One… splurge at the mansion
Spend the evening at Rollins Mansion for Corks & Constellations Wine Flight on July 7. Enjoy a lineup of four wines alongside heavy appetizers, desserts and live music by Matt Terronez, all in a 100-year-old historic mansion. You will also hear from experts from the Drake Observatory and stargaze from multiple telescopes. Cost is $96. www.rollinsmansion.com/event/7-7-25-corks-constellations
Five. Four. Three. Two. One. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discover what is happening in Des Moines this summer. Get out your calendar, mark your favorite activities and launch into your next warm-weather adventure. From stargazing to free concerts to a classic car show, these options offer summertime entertainment for people of all ages — but especially active seniors.
Five… live music options
Windsor Heights’ Nights in the Heights offers a Tuesday night concert series at Colby Park. Bring your chairs and attend in a relaxed park setting. Playing on June 24 is Bob Pace and the Power and on July 8, RetroSpect with Jana West.
The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, located at 4100 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, offers free outdoor tunes for Friday Night Live, Summer Sundays and community band concerts. Standing Hampton plays July 18. On July 25, Major Blues and the Mug Shots perform. www.wdm.iowa.gov/jha.
On Wednesdays, head downtown to a new urban neighborhood near Gray’s Lake. Gray’s Station at 469 S.W. 12th St. offers live music and food trucks. On June 25: Avey Grouws Band.
Air Supply celebrates its 50th anniversary with a concert at the Des Moines Civic Center on July 20. Tickets cost from $50-$90, plus fees.
Hoyt Sherman Place offers Jazz in July. These free concerts take place in the grounds outside the historic theater. On July 8, the Valley High School Combo kicks things off, followed by Mike Conrad’s Hard Bop Express. https://hoytsherman.org/events/.
Four… family-friendly festivals
The Polk City 4 Seasons Festival includes a parade, music, food, vendors, bingo and more on June 27-28 at the Polk City downtown square. While you are there, stop at nearby Saylorville Lake or Big Creek to hike the trails, go boating, fishing or have a picnic.
The Clive Festival in Campbell Park in Clive from July 18-19 includes a carnival, games, nightly concerts and fireworks. www.clivefestival.com.
The Waukee Arts Festival on July 18-19 at Centennial Park in Waukee is much more than the 100 featured artists. It includes kids activities, a beverage garden and a footrace plus daily and nightly concerts.
Ankeny’s Summerfest runs July 11-13 at the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. The three-day fest starts on Friday night and includes a carnival, parade, music, food and vendors. Live music on Saturday and Sundays run from 1-9 p.m. https://ankenysummerfest.com/.
Three… around-town freebies
Take a steep, winding drive up to MacRae Park at 1021 Davis Ave. in Des Moines. There, walk to the end of the catwalk lookout for a sweeping view of downtown Des Moines. Snap a selfie at sunset and post to your favorite social media site.
Attend the Valley Classic Car Show on July 26, where you might find the exact car you went to prom in. The 10th annual show is held at the Valley Community Center at 4444 Fuller Road in West Des Moines. In addition to hundreds of classic cars, the event includes kids activities and a free lunch.
Head over to the Jester Park Nature Center at 12130 N.W. 128th St. in Granger for a “Raptor Force” presentation on June 29. Local photographer Ty Smedes shares stories about capturing photographic images of raptors. www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events
Two… winery wind-downs
Sundays are fun days at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2183-320th St. Sample Iowa wines or enjoy beer and other spirits to sip on. Free music goes from 2-5 p.m. On June 22, Kinda Petty performs, and July 6, The Sons of Gladys Kravitz do. https://thecellarwinery.com.
Prairie Moon Winery outside of Ames provides music on Sundays from 3-6 p.m. On July 21, listen to Jesse and the Medicine Men, playing classic country music. $5. www.prairiemoonwinery.com
One… splurge at the mansion
Spend the evening at Rollins Mansion for Corks & Constellations Wine Flight on July 7. Enjoy a lineup of four wines alongside heavy appetizers, desserts and live music by Matt Terronez, all in a 100-year-old historic mansion. You will also hear from experts from the Drake Observatory and stargaze from multiple telescopes. Cost is $96. www.rollinsmansion.com/event/7-7-25-corks-constellations
Spend the evening at Rollins Mansion for Corks & Constellations Wine Flight on July 7.
The Waukee Arts Festival is July 18-19 at Centennial Park in Waukee.
Valley Classic Car Show is July 26 at the Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines.
RetroSpect with Jana West plays at Windsor Heights’ Nights in the Heights on July 8.