Not So Boring April - June

Leslie Jasper
Group Sales Manger
Des Moines Performing Arts

We’ve all heard and/or said the rhyme at some point of our lives:  April showers bring May flowers. 

As Midwesterners, we’ve been trained by the sometimes-unpredictable weather patterns, to talk about what Mother Nature is offering us and, due to that, this old saying has maintained its popularity for hundreds of years.  Since it’s origination in the mid-1500’s – beginning as “Sweet April showers do spring May flowers” in a collection of writings by Thomas Tusser – it has continually served as a great reminder that with even the most unpleasant, we must be patient and something beautiful will always follow. 

Considering most of our most recent “showers” have been snow showers, for most of us, the spring flowers can’t come soon enough.  We’ve been patient for months, getting through the deep winter freeze, so it’s time for the May beauty promised to us by this age-old rhyme.  Along with the flowers however, come some things that may be even better than a colorful spring bloom.  Warm sunshine, grills and firepits, patio dinners, and of course, outdoor activities.

And so, to all you patient it’s-been-gloomy-too-long-I’m-ready-for-flipflops Iowans:  It’s time to celebrate spring’s arrival and Thomas Tusser’s famous words (hoping that April showers really do spring us some May flowers)!

“Not So Boring” Happenings

I-Cubs

Home Opener April 12!

www.MILB.com/index.jsp?sid=t451

Valle Drive-In Theater

Opens April 19, come visit Iowa’s oldest running drive-in theater. Open Friday-Monday.

www.ValleDrive-in.com/default.asp

Farmers Markets:

Valley Junction Music in the Junction, Opens May 2

www.ValleyJunction.com

Downtown Des Moines, Opens May 4

www.DesMoinesFarmersMarket.com

Drake Farmers Market, Opens June 5

www.DrakeFarmersMarket.com

Tulip Time

The most colorful Dutch celebration in Iowa!

May 2 - 4

www.PellaTulipTime.com

Temple Theater

Sit outside at Centro’s patio for dinner/drinks and attend Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, an award-winning improvised musical comedy, May 1 – 12.

www.DesMoinesPerformingArts.org

www.CentroDining.com

Science Center of Iowa

Bring your picnic blanket, grab some popcorn, and attend Cinema Under the Stars, May 11!

Jurassic Park will be playing, beginning at dusk.  Free to attend (will be held inside if bad weather).

www.SCIowa.org

Habitat for Humanity

Spring volunteer opportunities available (get outside and BUILD)!

www.GDMHabitat.org/

Jasper Winery

Summer Concert Series begins May 16.

www.JasperWinery.com

Parks and Recreation:

Check your local parks and recreation website for pool dates, park shelter info, and sports leagues.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation

Gray’s Lake Bike Rental, Begins April 14

www.DMGov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/BicycleRentalProgram.aspx

West Des Moines Parks and Recreation
RUNzing 5k and 10k, May 18

www.WDM.Iowa.gov/index.aspx?page=197

Windsor Heights Parks and Recreation

Curbside Spring Clean-Up, May 9

www.WindsorHeights.org/index.htm

Waukee Parks and Recreation

Sign-up for summer programs now!

www.Waukee.org/parksandrecreationdepartment.html

Sports Events:

Des Moines and surrounding communities offer a wide variety of special sports activities throughout the year – check out these great spring/summer events!

Glow Run

April 20 (register now through April 18)

www.GlowRun5k.com/dm.html

Drake Relays

April 25 – 28

www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=8142&SPSID=71588

Gladiator Challenge

May 18 – 19 (register now through May 15)

www.Gladiatorassaultchallenge.com/

Dam to Dam

June 1 (20k almost full, register soon)

www.damtodam.com

Electric Run

June 15 (Register now through June 6)

www.ElectricRun.com/desmoines