Things to do in Des Moines this weekend include a bubble fest, Cajun food and a wine tasting

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Father's Day arrives this weekend, followed by Juneteenth on Monday, giving Iowans a long holiday weekend to stretch out and enjoy. Try something fun for the kids such as a bubble festival, fireworks in Johnston, a show at the Des Moines Playhouse or a chance to see military vehicles up close. The adults can see the trio behind "Impractical Jokers," sip wines or eat Cajun food. Get out and explore Des Moines this weekend with these events.

Play with bubbles at a park

Thursday morning: Bubbles, bubbles everywhere. Entertainer Steve Russell fills the air with big bubbles, little bubbles and everything in between. This free show from Des Moines Performing Arts kicks off at 10 a.m. at Evelyn K Davis Park, 1400 Forest Ave., Des Moines, and then heads to Prospect Park, 1225 Prospect Road, Des Moines at 12:30 p.m., followed by Linnan Park, 8500 Linnan Ave. in Clive, at 6 p.m. The bubbles travel all over the Des Moines metro through Saturday afternoon.

Look at military vehicles

Friday afternoon: If your kids thought touch-a-truck events were cool, wait until they see military vehicles on display from World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Afghanistan Wars during the 48th annual Military Vehicle Preservation Association — Historical Archives Convention. The convention at the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, brings blind driving tests, vehicle parades and a teeter totter with vehicles. Tickets for the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. convention from Thursday through Saturday start at $15 for adults, $20 with a spouse, and $25 with kids age 11-18. Children under age 10 are free. Military members and veterans take $10 off each of those rates.

Drink wines with Winefest

Friday night: Sammons Financial Group Sips in the City from Winefest Des Moines brings live music and entertainment to this wine tasting. Participants can upgrade to the VIP lounge for high-end wines, hors d’oeuvres and lounge seating starting at 5 p.m. Tickets for the event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, start at $45 online at eventbrite.com.

More: Fill your summer with food, wine and beer festivals across the Des Moines metro

See a show about neighbors not getting along

Friday night: Almost everyone can relate to a neighbor dispute that gets out of hand. In “Native Gardens,” new neighbors Pablo and Tania purchased a home next to Frank and Virginia, who have an English garden. When one couple wants to replace the run-down chain link fence, a dispute starts over the property line. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at the Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, start at $29. The show runs through Sunday.

Do the Bacoon Ride with bacon and bikes

Saturday morning: Take a 71-mile bike ride along the Racoon River Valley Trail and eat bacon dishes along the way on Bacoon Ride. The ride starts at 7 a.m. at Kinship Brewery, 255 N.W. Sunrise Drive in Waukee and winds through Adel, Redfield and Linden, up to Jamaica to Perry, then back to Waukee. Tickets are $92.

Eat gumbo, crawfish and jambalaya at Cajun Fest

Saturday afternoon: Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, heads to the bayou when Cajun Fest returns. Attendees can get a taste of traditional Louisiana dishes such as crawfish, gumbo, beignets, and jambalaya, as well as cold drinks including slushies and hurricanes. Multiple bands provide live music, while attendees can participate in face painting, crawfish races, mask making and bead throwing. The festival plans to donate to St. Vincent De Paul. Tickets to the festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. start at $50.

Laugh with the trio behind 'Impractical Jokers'

Saturday night: Q, Murr and Sal, the creators and stars of truTV’s hit series “Impractical Jokers,” take the stage at Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St. in Des Moines, for a 7:30 p.m. show. The trio challenge each other to say or do something, and if they refuse, they lose. The series returned for its 10th season in February. Tickets range from $35 to $152.

Get an early peep at fireworks in Johnston

Saturday night: The Johnston Green Days at Terra Park, 6300 Pioneer Pkwy. in Johnston, takes place Thursday through Sunday with everything from a bags tournament and car show to smoked foods and a parade. On Saturday night, break out the lawn chairs and blankets for live music from Monkey, Monkey, Monkey from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. with fireworks during the band’s intermission.

Take Dad to brunch at Little Brother

Sunday morning: Five-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest Joe Tripp and his wife, Alexandra, run this Windsor Heights diner that focuses on Jewish-inspired brunch favorites. Little Brother serves the soon-to-be-famous breakfast sandwich with a steamed egg on a house milk roll and options such as sausage, Canadian bacon, fire-roasted avocado, or bacon. A chicken-fried Portobello mushroom, Manischewitz-braised short ribs skillet, yeasted waffles with batter-fried chicken, and caramelized French toast make the menu. Ask about the seasonal cheese blintz or split a big cinnamon roll. Order brunch daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More: 19 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A

Editor's note: This article was updated to correct the date of the Bacoon Ride to Saturday.

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: Things to do near me this weekend in Des Moines: wine, bubbles, bacon