Things to do in Des Moines this weekend include the National Balloon Classic, Diana Krall

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Need an excuse to get out of town this weekend? Drive down to Indianola for the start of the National Balloon Classic or take a walk through the Indianola Summer Arts Festival. If music is in your cards, try Diana Krall at Hoyt Sherman Place or pianist Jason Danielson at Noce. A barbecue festival helps fight hunger, a vintage car show displays the classics, and a remembrance honors the 70th anniversary of the armistice in the Korean War. Des Moines offers plenty of things to do this weekend. Get out and explore.

Watch kids compete in sports from fencing to trampoline

Wednesday afternoon: The 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games kick off in the Des Moines metro with sports competitions in events such as baton twirling, fencing, field hockey, jump rope, karate, sport stacking, swimming, taekwondo, track and field, trampoline and tumbling, and boys and girls wrestling. Head to the website at aaujrogames.org for times and dates through Aug. 5. Tickets start at $15 for daily wristbands to $45 for a weeklong pass. Children 6 and younger are free.

Make a floral arrangement while drinking cocktails

Thursday evening: A happy hour and designing a floral arrangement class come together at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $24 for members and $30 for nonmembers. All participants must be 21 or older and receive complimentary admission to Music in the Garden after the class.

More: 12 great happy hours to try at bars and restaurants in the Des Moines area

Honor the Korean War

Friday morning: Stop at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, 7105 NW 70th Ave. in Johnston from 10 a.m. to noon for a Korean War Armistice remembrance. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice signing. The Korean War began June 25, 1950, and lasted until July 27, 1953. Nearly 85,000 Iowans served in the war, and 508 were killed. The ceremony will include a reading of a proclamation signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, remarks by Junghan Kim, consul general of Chicago, recognition of living Korean War Veterans and displays of military equipment and uniforms from the era.

Watch hot air balloons fill the sky

Friday evening: Make the drive down to Indianola for the 2023 National Balloon Classic. The festival starts at Memorial Balloon Field at 1136 150th Ave. in Indianola at 6:30 p.m. with the kickoff flight. Then, every day through Aug. 5 the festival offers different events, such as competition flying every morning at 6:30 a.m., Nite Glow on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m., fireworks on both Saturday nights of the festival, remote control balloons and extraordinary kites. Tickets start at $10.

Hear Herbie Hancock gems

Friday night: Stop by Noce at 1326 Walnut St. in Des Moines at 8 p.m. for “Chameleon: The Many Colors of Herbie Hancock” with Jason Danielson & Co. Pianist and composer Danielson changes up every show with different music written or performed by the jazz pianist. Tickets range from $18 to $45.

Ogle vintage cars

Saturday morning: Check out the 350-plus classic cars at the Valley Classic Car Show at Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines. This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Play with the kids in the water

Saturday morning: Head to the West Des Moines Public Library at 4000 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, from 10 a.m. to noon to celebrate the end of the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. This free event includes water-based games and activities, such as a foam machine, a giant inflatable slip-n-slide, a dunk tank and more.

Shop for back-to-school items

Saturday morning: Goodwill of Central Iowa holds a Back-To-School Kick-Off Event at its new Johnston retail location at 5355 NW 86th St. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers can find prizes, including a pair of tickets to see Eric Church, as well as a food truck.

Check out some art

Saturday afternoon: Make the most out of a trip to Indianola at the 2023 Indianola Summer Arts Festival, a two-day event at the Buxton Park Arboretum, 705 N. Buxton St., Indianola. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., see more than 30 artists, listen to live music, play yard games, order food from trucks and more. Also Sunday.

Cuddle with kittens

Saturday evening: Kittens, kittens, kittens. Smitten Kitten, 549 28th St., Des Moines, throws a kitten party from 5 to 8 p.m. Snuggle and pet more than five litters of adoptable kittens from Whiskers TNR. Advance tickets start at $15 online.

Listen to jazz

Saturday night: Cool and sultry jazz singer Diana Krall has eight albums that debuted at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and she’s earned two Grammy Awards. Her recent shows featured "It Could Happen to You, "Isn't This a Lovely Day?," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "I Just Found Out About Love." Krall takes the stage at 8 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets range from $75 to $140.

More: 15 must-see events and concerts in central Iowa to check out this summer

Eat some barbecue

Sunday afternoon: Get some barbecue from central Iowa chefs from Whatcha Smokin’, Jethro’s BBQ, Warehouse Barbecue, Matty Mack’s, Palms Caribbean Cuisine, Rolling Smoke BBQue, and more during Smoke Out Hunger. Head to Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aside from unlimited barbecue, find craft beers, desserts, games and live music. Tickets range from $50 for those 21 and older, $25 for those ages 6-20, free for kids 5 and younger, and $125 for a family four pack.

More: Where to find great coffee shops in the Des Moines area

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter 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 in Des Moines this weekend: hot air balloons, barbecue fest