Good morning, Des Moines.

The new Hy-Vee Holiday Parade will kick off the holiday season in downtown Des Moines on Saturday, November 29 to boost Small Business Saturday with marching bands, dance teams, a walking ball and floats—judged for prizes.

Pre-parade coverage starts at 9 a.m. on WHO 13 and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Principal Park as it follows a 1.25-mile route.

Birdland Pool will reopen on June 30 after a $1.75 million project upgraded its deep end, mechanical systems, and overall look.

City officials announced reduced rates — $1 for kids and $2 for adults — to help more families enjoy the pool for the rest of the summer.

Red Haw State Park will reopen its campground July 1 after an EF-3 tornado hit in 2022 — repairs have created 52 improved sites with pull-through spots by the lake.

Volunteers helped clear debris and the park has planted many new trees to restore the area.

The Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce joined the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Regional Affiliate Chamber network on June 26th—giving its members access to programs like small business programming and leadership training.

The move grew the network to over 7,200 members—making it the second-largest regional chamber in the country.

Jasper County officials reported that someone tampered with the water control equipment in Lynnville—a town of about 400—on June 25, causing a water shortage; though officials said the water remains safe, bottled water was distributed and several fire departments were placed on standby as the investigation continues.

The Iowa DOT now lets drivers add a virtual copy of their license to Google Wallet on their phones—Toni Smith explained the process is simple.

Drivers register by scanning their ID and taking a selfie—steps that verify identity—and they must still carry their physical license as not all businesses accept mobile IDs.

Van Meter’s baseball team beat Grand View Christian 18—3 Saturday with Cason Peterson scoring six RBI, marking its highest run total since last year.

The softball team also dominated in Oskaloosa with an 8—2 win over Fairfield and an 8—0 shutout of Ottumwa while positioning itself to clinch a share of the conference title.

Dallas Center-Grimes softball won two games this week — a 12-0 victory over Oskaloosa that featured four home runs and a doubleheader win over Indianola that helped coach Todd Merical reach his 1,000th career win — while the baseball team split a doubleheader with a 6-4 win driven by a late rally. Freshman Leighton Stanford also ran at the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia, improving her 400-meter dash to 59.59 seconds and placing 22nd in the 400-meter hurdles.

New Functional Fitness Class at DM Yoga and Wellness

This FUNctional fitness class will increase your strength for everyday living!!

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show

6-9 p.m. — Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown — $67.95+ — Experience an interactive comedy murder mystery while enjoying a delightful dinner.

Summer Music Series: David Watson

5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — $4.50 pints — Enjoy live music and patio vibes with cold beer during the Summer Music Series.

Historic Corn Plot Dinner

6:00-8:30 p.m. — The Wallace Centers of Iowa — Ticket required — Savor a special meal featuring corn from the on-site Henry A. Wallace Historic Corn Plot.

Hoyt Sherman Art Classes

5:30-7 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Registration required — Engage in creative acrylic art adventures tailored for ages 7-14.

Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver Training

3-4 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Library card required — Learn to use the Glowforge Plus Laser Engraver and become qualified to create your own designs.

UX Design Certificate Program

9 a.m. — Bank of America Building, Des Moines, IA — Course fees apply — Gain hands-on UX skills to launch your design career and build an impressive portfolio.

2025 Downtown Farmers' Market

7 AM – 12 PM — Court District — Free entry — Explore local produce, artisan goods, and seasonal flowers in the heart of Downtown Des Moines.

Summer Music Series: Riley Jane

5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — $4.50 pints during happy hour — Enjoy live music and patio vibes with cold beer.

Writers' Workshop 2025

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — No registration required — Share your writing and receive valuable feedback from fellow writers.

Jazz in July Night 1

5:30-10 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Free entry — Experience the smooth sounds of jazz with Valley High School Jazz Combo and Mike Conrad’s Hard Bop Express.