Go to 80/35, SummerFest, the opera or the Northside Market this weekend in Des Moines
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Another busy weekend takes over the Des Moines metro after the Fourth of July. Two big festivals — SummerFest in Ankeny and 80/35 in Des Moines — offer enough fun things to do to fill your time off, but look for smaller events such at Rendezvous at Riverview, Chill on the Hill, and the Northside Market in Highland Park in Des Moines to explore different communities in the region. If you want some culture, check out comedian Fortune Feimster or “The Love for Three Oranges” from the Des Moines Metro Opera. Check out all the fun things you can do this weekend in Des Moines.
Get out to a happy hour
Thursday afternoon: Head out for happy hour at Trailside Tap from 3 to 6 p.m. for half-priced house cocktails, craft beer and wine with 25% off snacks and small plates such as house-fried chips and roasted red pepper dip, ceviche, or deviled eggs. Happy hour takes place daily at the restaurant at 710 S.W. Third St., Ankeny.
More: 12 great happy hours to try at bars and restaurants in the Des Moines area
Check out 80/35 Music Festival
Friday afternoon: The 80/35 Music Festival takes place in the Western Gateway Park, 1201 Locust St. in Des Moines, for the last time. The 14th iteration of the festival features headliners The War on Drugs on Friday and Big Boi on Saturday. Tickets range from $65 to $225 online at 80-35.com.
More: Here's what to expect at this year's 80/35 Music Festival, from concerts to concessions
Hear a free concert and see fireworks
Friday evening: Head over the Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines, for the Rendezvous on Riverview starting at 5:30 p.m. The night includes the band Toaster and fireworks, as well as food trucks such as Caesar’s, Turkey Time, Strictly Eats, What the Fries, Karam’s, Dudley’s Carnival and Mini Donuts. Entrance is free.
Check out a 10-piece funk band with all teachers
Friday night: Head out to Copper Creek Lake Park, 4390 E. University Ave., Pleasant Hill, for Chill on the Hill from 6 to 9 p.m. Aside from food trucks on site, the $12 admission includes one drink ticket. Faculty Lounge, the 10-piece funk band made up of teachers, performs.
Take over your Saturday with SummerFest
Saturday afternoon: If you pick one day to head to SummerFest in Ankeny, make it Saturday when the parade kicks off the activities at 9 a.m. heading north on N.W. Cherry Street and ending at the Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center. The day includes an entertainment garden for adults, carnival rides and games in the District at Prairie Trail at 1500 SW Main St., and live music all night.
More: Ankeny SummerFest is this weekend. Here's what's new this year:
See a love story courtesy of the Des Moines Metro Opera
Saturday night: The Des Moines Metro Opera is in the midst of its season with “The Love for Three Oranges” taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The opera, a love story, tells the tale of a prince cursed by a witch who must find three oranges, each containing a princess. Tickets are almost sold out and go from $38 to $172 for the show at the Blank Performing Arts Center, 513 N. D St., Indianola.
Chuckle with a comedian
Saturday night: Comedian Fortune Feimster takes the stage on her “Live Laugh Love” tour at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines, with a 7 p.m. show. Feimster just released her one-hour special “Sweet & Salty” on Netflix. Tickets run from $29.50 to $65.
Eat an Irish brunch
Sunday morning: Brunch at Mickey’s Irish Pub, 50 S.E. Laurel St. in Waukee, includes the Bomblet omelet with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, jalapeños, green onions, pepper jack cheese, and topped with Arbol chili sauce or other breakfast items such as country fried steak, biscuits and gravy, cini minis, breakfast totchos, or a breakfast burger. Diners can go Irish with the Irishman with diced potatoes with onions, green and red peppers, shredded sirloin, topped with Hollandaise and two over easy eggs, or the Irish Fry-Up with eggs, sausage or bacon, and more. Dine on brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
More: 21 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A
Check out the businesses in Highland Park
Sunday afternoon: Explore Highland Park during the Northside Market from noon to 6 p.m. Sixth Avenue between Euclid and Douglas avenues in Des Moines shuts down so more than 70 local businesses can showcase their wares. Look for pottery, vintage clothing and more, as well as food vendors and music. Neighborhood businesses such as Des Moines Mercantile, The Collective, Divine Times Vintage and Art Terrarium also open their doors.
Entertain the kids
Sunday night: Grab the kids and head to the Clive Aquatic Center, 1801 N.W. 114th St. in Clive, for the Mermaid, Princess, Superhero party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes over their swimwear. The $25 registration fee includes swimming, making a craft, and enjoying an ice cream sundae bar. Register online.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: This weekend, see SummerFest, 80/35, Northside Market, Fortune Feimster
