Good morning, West Des Moines.

Today at the Iowa State Fair, East Side Night brings together eastside residents at several fair locations for a traditional reunion.

Highlights include live music by Parker McCollum with special guest Josh Abbott Band at 8 p.m. on the Grandstand and a hot, sunny day with a high near 93 degrees — adding to a festive atmosphere.

The Iowa State Fair Farmers Market has grown from five vendors last year to 13 vendors offering local produce, jams, and goat cheese — now held at The Garden behind the Animal Learning Center and Little Hands on the Farm.

The market runs daily from Aug 7th to Aug 16th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A new inclusive playground opened Thursday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds near Hy-Vee Fun Forest and features accessible ramps, smooth surfaces and sensory-friendly elements that celebrate Iowa’s farming heritage — the playground will remain open after the fair.

Roblox announced that it is open-sourcing its new AI system—Sentinel—to catch dangerous language in chats and help protect kids amid criticism and a lawsuit in Polk County alleging that its design makes children easy targets for predators.

The system has already led to 1,200 alerts sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the first half of this year.

On Aug 7, thunderstorms brought heavy rain and lightning to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, prompting officials to cancel overflow camping areas, the Twins, Triplets and More Contest, and antique tractor pulls—measures taken to ensure public safety.

Southern rust has spread to over 40 Iowa counties and caused reddish-orange patches on corn leaves that block sunlight and weaken the plants — experts from Iowa State University and Landus advised farmers to scout their fields and consider fungicides.

Meaghan Anderson noted that warm, humid conditions and storm systems helped carry the spores further north.

Central Iowa Water Works ended the Stage III lawn watering ban on Thursday and moved residents to a voluntary conservation plan that calls for a 25% reduction using an odd/even watering schedule—local governments and schools can now resume watering.

2025 Downtown Farmers' Market

7 AM – 12 PM — Historic Court District — Free entry — Explore local produce, flowers, and artisan foods from Iowa's finest vendors.

Studio Sunday at Terre Vici

12-8 p.m. — Elevator, a Co-Warehousing Community — Free entry — Create your own eye-catching jewelry in a vibrant studio atmosphere.

Charm Tuesday — Terre Vici

12 PM — Elevator, a Co-Warehousing Community — Eco-friendly event — Create stunning chakra jewelry to enhance your wellness and style.

VolunTEENS Work Time

4-5 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Engage in a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity at your local library.

Kindermusik Class

5:30-6:15 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — $ — Explore music-making through instruments, movement, singing, and play for children ages 3-6.

Inside Out 2 Screening

6:30 PM — Evelyn K Davis Park — Free entry — Experience Riley's teenage transition and the introduction of new emotions in this entertaining sequel.

Summer Sizzler 5K/10K/15K

7-11 a.m. — Gray's Lake Park — $15 — A fun family event with chip-timing, great swag, and a virtual race option in Downtown Des Moines.

Summer Music Series: Jonas Magram at Exile Brewing

5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — All-day happy hour with $4.50 pints — Live music and patio vibes await every Sunday evening.

Franklin Cinema Club: Once Upon a Time in the West

6:30-7:45 p.m. — Franklin Avenue Library — Free entry — Explore a classic western epic and discuss its themes with fellow film enthusiasts.

The Pigeon Visits the Library

4:00 – 4:45 PM — Franklin Avenue Library — Free entry — Enjoy a lively storytime with The Pigeon and meet your favorite mischievous character.