Annual Events

  • 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.


  • 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 1

    The 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
    4-7pm

    Union 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 21

    The 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 Avenue

    Movies 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


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City of Des Moines, Iowa
Parks and Recreation