Iowa

12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Savannah Bananas, Cy-Hawk game

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2024

12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Savannah Bananas, Cy-Hawk game

If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we’ve written about karaoke bars, where to go thrifting, where to buy crafts, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.

Shawntelle Madison

Thursday evening: Meet a Des Moines author during this free event at the Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Shawntelle Madison kicks off the library’s 2024 Fall Author Series. Her new novel, “The Fallen Fruit,” covers “a family saga that follows a Black family that for two centuries has been cursed with the gift of time travel.” Madison also writes science fiction, romance, and fantasy books, include her urban fantasy series, “Coveted.” She’ll talk about her work starting at 5 p.m.

Ruth Harkin

Thursday evening: Former Sen. Tom Harkin’s wife, Ruth Harkin, releases her new book, “When My Husband Ran for President and Other Short Stories,” and launches it with a book signing at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center on the Drake University campus, 2800 University Ave., Des Moines. The free event from 5 to 7 p.m. includes remarks from Ruth and former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha Ternus. Ruth and Sen. Tom Harkin will be available for a brief question-and-answer session, followed by a book signing by Ruth in the atrium. The book will be available for purchase at the event, and all author proceeds from the book will be donated to The Harkin Institute endowment fund.

More: Ruth Harkin memoir shows wit, retrospection of pathbreaking Iowan who’s made a difference

Savannah Bananas

Friday night: Zany baseball antics courtesy of the Savannah Bananas take over Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, through Sunday. Tickets have been sold out for some time now, but if you got lucky, expect Banana Ball shenanigans against the Party Animals. On-field antics like choreographed dances, crazy rules (if a fan catches a foul bout, it counts as an out), crowd participation skits, and fun props are all part of the fun starting at 7 p.m.

More: The Savannah Bananas are headed back to Des Moines this week. Here’s what you need to know

‘It’s Only A Play’

Friday night: Step out for a meta night of theater when the Tallgrass Theatre Co., 2019 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, presents “It’s Only A Play.” The play takes place on opening night of “The Golden Egg” on Broadway, and Julia Budder, the wealthy producer, hosts a party at her home. Everyone awaits the reviews in her bedroom as celebrities enter downstairs. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show start at $33. The production runs on Fridays through Sundays through Sept. 22.

More: How to spend the perfect day in Valley Junction with restaurants, bars and shopping

First Friday

Friday night: Drop by Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosaqua Way, Des Moines, for First Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening includes featured fashion artists who specialize in jewelry, design, and fiber. Find a henna artist, interactive photo displays, and craft activities during the free event that spans all five floors. From 7 to 8 p.m., see a fashion show in the Big Room.

Luenell

Friday night: The “Original Bad Girl of Comedy” Luenell takes the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines for an 8 p.m. show. See the star of the Netflix comedy special “Town Business” with tickets starting at $29.50.

Renaissance Faire

Saturday afternoon: Fetch ye olde turkey leg and a cup of meade and prepare to wander the nine stages and more than 50 vendors at the Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow. The event returns with jousting, birds of prey, fire breathers and jugglers, minstrels, jesters, and belly dancers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 1408 Arthur Ave., Des Moines. Tickets start at $23 for those age 13 and older, free for kids. Buy tickets online. Continues next weekend as well.

Touchdown Tailgate

Saturday morning: Can’t make it to Iowa City to watch Iowa State take on Iowa? Head to Cowles Commons at 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for Touchdown Tailgate. The event from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. includes free admission for the Cy-Hawk game, shown on two Jumbotron TVs. Find food trucks Farmboys BBQ, Roadside Tacos, Big Red Food Truck and Sweet Swirls as well as a private bar selling alcohol. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. Bring your own chair, too.

DSM Gamer Jazz

Saturday afternoon: Hear jazz band renditions from legendary video games such as “Super Mario,” “Street Fighter” and “Plants vs. Zombies” when the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra plays at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Millis Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. The free concert runs from 2 to 3 p.m.

Concours d’Elegance

Sunday afternoon: See vintage, classic, and exotic automobiles from around the world during the 2024 Des Moines Concours d’Elegance. The free event at the John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Western Gateway Park, 1330 Grand Ave., Des Moines, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PorchFest

Sunday afternoon: See 24 bands play on Union Park porches for PorchFest from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rolling music festival takes place on the front porches of the residents of Union Park in Des Moines, with music from a variety of genres. Festival attendees can migrate from one performance to the next to listen to the 45-minute sets of live music. See the map of homes at porchfestdsm.org.

Justin Willman

Sunday night: Magician Justin Willman brings his Illusionati Tour to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, at 7 p.m. Willman’s show includes an interactive evening of magic, comedy and mind-control. Tickets start at $42.50 to see the star of the Netflix series “Magic For Humans” and “The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman.”

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

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Iowa

Iowa man charged in connection to horse-drawn buggy crash that killed teen

Published

4 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Iowa man charged in connection to horse-drawn buggy crash that killed teen

CLARKE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – An Iowa man was charged Friday in connection to a deadly horse-drawn buggy crash that killed a teenager last month.

Jacob Wright, 41, of Grand River, is facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.

The crash happened in Clarke County on November 12. According to the crash report, Wright’s car hit the back of the buggy and ran it into a ditch.

Elmer Borntrager, 16, was thrown from the buggy and died at the scene.

Police found Wright’s damaged vehicle days later about five miles from the crash scene.

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How much snow did we get? See Iowa snowfall totals from Thursday.

Published

16 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

How much snow did we get? See Iowa snowfall totals from Thursday.

Another round of snow swept through Iowa, leaving more than 3 inches in some parts of the state.

Flurries began falling in Des Moines around noon on Thursday, Dec. 11, and persisted until late in the evening.

Here’s a look at the highest snowfall totals in Iowa as of 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, according to the National Weather Service.

What were the highest Iowa snowfall totals?

West Burlington: 4 inches
Parnell: 3.8 inches
Salem: 3.8 inches
Mooar: 3.6 inches
Webster City: 3.5 inches
Muscatine: 3 inches
Yarmouth: 3 inches
Williamstown: 3 inches
New London: 2.8 inches
Riverside: 2.8 inches
Ottumwa: 2.8 inches

How much snow did Des Moines get?

Over an inch of snow fell at the Des Moines International Airport, with the National Weather Service reporting 1.1 inches as of 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.

Grimes reported 1.3 inches of snow and other reports from the Des Moines area were around 1 inch.

Nevada in Story County reported 0.5 inches

How much snow did Iowa City get?

No reports were received from Iowa City, according to the National Weather Service. Nearby University Heights reported 1.5 inches. Oakdale reported 2 inches and North Liberty reported 1.3 inches of snow.

When is the next chance for snowfall in Des Moines?

Another round of snow is expected to begin Friday night and continue into Saturday, Dec. 13, in the afternoon.

Des Moines is projected to receive between 2 and 4 inches of snow during this time. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Des Moines from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The advisory is also in effect in cities spanning from Sioux City to Davenport.

Temperatures are also expected to drop during the weekend, with daytime highs of 9 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and lows of 10 degrees below zero on Saturday and 1 degree below zero on Sunday.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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Iowa

Iowa women’s wrestling goes on the road to defeat Grand View

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Iowa women’s wrestling goes on the road to defeat Grand View

While Iowa women’s wrestling rolled Grand View, 32-10, on Dec. 11 at Waukee Northwest High School, the Vikings provided a worthy challenge in Central Iowa.

The Hawkeyes and Grand View were the second leg of a doubleheader, with a high school dual between Raccoon River Wrestling and Ankeny, the top two teams at last season’s IGHSAU state meet, happening earlier in the night.

The Hawkeyes won each match that was held, but did not send a wrestler at 160 pounds, while Grand View did not participate at 180, so each team took one forfeit. In the eight matches held, Iowa won all of them and two by bonus points at 131 and 145. A sizeable chunk of Iowa’s top starters didn’t wrestle, but Grand View fought tough nonetheless.

“They’re (Grand View) scrappy and they fight hard,” said Iowa coach Clarissa Chun.

The Hawkeyes opened with four wins by decision from 103 to 124 against top-end wrestlers in the NAIA division. Sterling Dias earned a 3-0 decision over Judy Sandova (No. 2 in NAIA) at 103, followed by an 8-2 victory for Nyla Valencia over Tristan Nitta (No. 5 in NAIA) at 110 and a 9-2 decision for Brianna Gonzalez over Mayangelie Colon (No. 3 in NAIA) at 117.

In one of the best wins of the night, Cali Leng downed Catharine Campbell (No. 3 in NAIA) at 124 by a 9-1 decision. Her front headlocks and control of the hand fight led to her rotating behind Campbell for multiple takedowns.

“She’s got a big gas tank and a big heart,” Chun said. “She found ways to adjust and put points on the board.”

Emily Frost won at 131 pounds as she normally does, locking up a headlock and tossing Maya Davis for a win by fall in the first period. Iowa native Lilly Luft followed that pin with a tough win by decision, trailing by criteria at 6-6, but securing two takedowns late in the second period to defeat Adrienna Turner, 10-6. Before the two forfeits, Cadence Diduch rolled in a 10-0 technical fall of Sofia Delgado at 145 pounds.

In the final bout of the night, Libby Dix gave fans at Waukee Northwest a show. Trailing by criteria at 2-2, Dix scored a late step-out point with just a few seconds remaining to clinch the win. While she hadn’t wrestled a ton of freestyle before her college career, she won with her awareness late to score on the one-point action unique to freestyle.

“She’s a gamer,” Chun said. “She’s competitive. If she wasn’t, she would’ve been hung up on losing the match 2-2, but she wanted to go get one.”

The Hawkeyes have one more test before going off on winter break, traveling to Naperville, Ill. on Dec. 14 for the North Central Open.

Iowa women’s wrestling vs. Grand View box score

103: Sterling Dias (IOWA) over Judy Sandoval (GVU) (Dec 3-0)
110: Nyla Valencia (IOWA) over Tristan Nitta (GVU) (Dec 8-2)
117: Brianna Gonzalez (IOWA) over Mayangelie Colon (GVU) (Dec 9-2)
124: Cali Leng (IOWA) over Catharine Campbell (GVU) (Dec 8-1)
131: Emily Frost (IOWA) over Maya Davis (GVU) (Fall 2:21)
138: Lilly Luft (IOWA) over Adrienna Turner (GVU) (Dec 10-6)
145: Cadence Diduch (IOWA) over Sofia Delgado (GVU) (TF 10-0 2:08)
160: Kami Senlycki (GVU) over (IOWA) (For.)
180: Katja Osteen (IOWA) over (GVU) (For.)
207: Libby Dix (IOWA) over Andjela Prijovic (GVU) (Dec 3-2)

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

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