Annual Events
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1st Annual Wet N’ Wild Swim Meet
Saturday, August 8th at 9:00 am
Location: Ashworth Pool
The swim meet is for youth ages 4-13 years old. Meet is designed to be fun and recreational and for all skill levels to enjoy. Registration is $1.00 per event that child participates in and pre-registration is REQUIRED. Registration forms and payment are due by Friday, July 31st, 2009 to any of the five city pools.
To download a registration form for this event click here.
If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Callie at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org -
Nitefall on the River
Held at the Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater located on the east bank of the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, this popular, long-running summer concert series plays to crowds Thursday evenings at 7 in June and July. Bring your lawn chairs and pack a blanket or two to experience a relaxing evening on the riverfront with the breathtaking backdrop of the twinkling stars. Children 10 and under accompanied by a paid adult are FREE. Coolers and outside food or drink are NOT allowed. The 2009 summer line up can be found at www.sapresents.com and tickets can be purchased at www.iowatix.com -
Run for the Egg
Run for the Egg is a 5 mile run/walk held at Easter Lake. It is a cross-country course on a multi-surface trail loop with the start and finish line at the same location. Kids activities, fun run, and egg grab will be held after the race. The date for the 2010 run will be announced in the near future. -
Mayor's Annual Ride for Trails
The ride begins at 10:00a.m. at Des Moines City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive. The ride offers 20 and 30-mile route options and is held each year in April. The date for the 2010 ride will be announced in the near future.
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Hoopin' at the Dome
The date for the 2010 event will be announced in the near future
Location: Iowa State Capital
Take it to the hoop as Des Moines Parks and Recreation partners with the Iowa Games for this famous 3-on-3 half-court basketball tournament. Temporary hoops are put in place on the Iowa State Capitol grounds for this annual spring event. There are youth and adult divisions, male and female divisions, and a coed division. Trophies will be awarded and the winners in each division will advance to the Summer Iowa Games’ 3-on-3 tournament. -
Hershey Track Meet
Saturday, May 30, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Location: Hoover High School Track
Participation is free for youth ages 9-14 years old as of December 31st, 2009. Events offered are the 50 meter dash, 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 800 meter run, 1600 meter run, 4x100 meter relay, standing long jump, and softball throw. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Registration forms are due by Friday, May 22, 2009. To download a registration form for this event click here. For more information on this event click here. If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Callie at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org -
Floatin' Free Flicks
Gates open at 8:00pm for swimming. Movies begin shortly after sunset.
Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Pizza, popcorn, soft drinks, candy are available for purchase. Outside food and beverages NOT permitted inside the gates. Chaise lounges are available or bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. One-person floatation devices will be permitted in the pool during the movie and lifeguards will be on duty.Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, July 23
Saturday, August 1The Water Horse of the Deep – PG
Northwest Aquatic Center
50th & Madison
Shark Tale – PG
Nahas Aquatic Center
1101 Porter
Flipper (1996) - PG
Teachout Aquatic Center
2601 Hubbell
Volunteers -
Clowns at the Carousel
Sunday August 2, 2009
4-7pmUnion Park, 603 Guthrie
Carousel rides, balloon art, inflatable rides, and more.
Free admission -
Summer Free Flicks
Sunday, June 14
Tuesday, June 16
Saturday, June 27
Friday, July 17
Friday, August 21The Goonies
Ashby Park, 3200 38th Street
Open Season 2 - PG
Ewing Park, 5300 Indianola Road
Ghostbusters - PG
Blank Golf Course, SW 9th & County Line Road
(Outside food and beverages NOT permitted inside the gates)
Madagascar - PG
Heritage Carousel at Union Park, 725 Thompson Avenue
Kung Fu Panda - PG
Evelyn K. Davis Park, 1400 Forest AvenueMovies begin at Sunset. Chairs and blankets are encouraged. Pop, popcorn, and candy will be available for purchase. Free Admission.
For event updates due to weather please call 237-1386, option 2.
Volunteers -
Fall Free Flicks
Saturday's in September
Union Park circle drive, 725 Thompson Avenue
Movies begin at sunset. Chairs and blankets are encouraged. Pop, popcorn, and candy will be available for purchase.
Free admission
September 5 - Annie (1982) – PG
September 12 - Madagascar II – PG
September 19* - Star Wars: The Clone Wars – PG
September 26** - Over the Hedge – PG
*Free comic book give away, provided by Brave New Worlds Science Fiction Club and Cup O’Kryptonite Coffee and Comics, to the first 300 kids
**Polk County Conservation Board will give a presentation about animal habitats from 7-7:30 p.m. Movie will begin shortly after the presentation.
Volunteers

City of Des Moines, Iowa
Parks and Recreation
- Capitol Center I, Suite 200
- 600 East Court Avenue
- Des Moines, Iowa 50309
- Phone: (515) 237-1386
- E-mail: Information Center
- Web Site: http://www.dmgov.org


