Activities for the week of July 29, 2013

Well, back-to-school sales, tax-free shopping, ISU students will be back in town soon and I can't believe Thursday is August 1!!  The summer is going so fast!  This is a much slower week than last week but there are still some fun things to do this week (and for the next 4 weeks - yes, I am counting the weeks - before school starts).

Here is my list of fun & fairly low-cost family activities for the week of July 29, 2013:

Monday, July 29 - believe it or not, I can't find a single thing so probably a good day for checking out a park that you haven't been to before.  We went to Daley Park in west Ames last Thursday and I was so impressed!  We also like Brookside, Inis Grove, and also just discovered Hans Peter Christofferson Park just off Oakwood Road a few months ago.

Here are some pictures from Daley Park:

Also, it's a bit of a drive, but the Indianola Hot Air Balloon Festival is happening all this week and runs through August 3.  I have never been before, but we are planning to stop through Indianola on Wednesday and I am looking forward to it!

Tuesday, July 30 - 10:00AM - $1 movie "Rio" at North Grand Theater (at the mall) in Ames

Wednesday, July 31 - 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child. Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12. Also, popcorn is 50 cents and there is a vending machine with soda and water on the north side of the Carousel building.

Wednesday, July 31 - 4:00PM - Teen Wednesdays (teens only) - this week it's at City Auditorium, 520 6th St - free movie, "The Hobbit"

Thursday, August 1 - again, I can't find anything going on today so maybe a good day for a park or try out a new area pool.  Or maybe a good day to stay home and just have some backyard fun with some water balloons and a sprinkler.  Here's what we did last week when little sister was sick & napping:

 

Friday, August 2 - all day - not necessarily a family activity but worth mentioning - this is the first day of the tax-free shopping in Iowa, this applies to any clothing item under $100 and any shoes under $100.

Friday, August 2 - 2:00PM free movie, "Wreck it Ralph" at Ames City Auditorium, 520 6th St.  Join Ronald McDonald's McDig'n It as a pre-show before the movie

Saturday, August 3 - all day - this is the second (and final) day of the tax-free shopping in Iowa.  Again, this applies to any item of clothing priced under $100 and any pair of shoes under $100.

Saturday, August 3 - 8AM-noon - Farmer's Market, Main Street Ames.  There are usually activities or crafts for kids and live music at Tom Evans Park. One week there was a little petting zoo and sometimes there are face painters (for a small fee), too.

Sunday, August 4 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Mooon Winery, $3 per adult (over 21), kids are free.  Trouble No More (blues) will be playing.  Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in. $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda. They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.  The boys and I walked through the grape vines today and saw beautiful purple and green grapes.  I would bet that they're almost ready to be harvested.  If we go again this week, I will be sure to take some pictures of the grapes and post in next week's blog.

Sunday, August 4 - 7:00PM until about 8:30PM - Roosevelt Summer Sundays Concert, also their Facebook page says this will be another Roosevelt Park Potluck Supper so this may be earlier than 7:00PM, may want to check with someone if you'd like to participate.  The classic Ames band, The Sundogs (reggae), will be performing.  At old Roosevelt school in Ames, 9th St & Roosevelt Ave.

Also, Brookside Wading Pool is still open every day, weather permitting, from 11AM-4PM. Cost is $1 per wader (no charge for parents)

Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center is every day from 11AM-1PM and the water park is open until 8PM every day, weather permitting.  Please check their Facebook page for updates.  Have a wonderful week!!

Activities for the week of July 22, 2013 (excluding Monday)

I had to share this fun picture of my kiddos from Watermelon Days in Stanhope this past weekend, it was a great time and I highly recommend this to anyone who has not been before - so much fun!  My oldest is hamming it up - being silly biting the rind!

Here is my list of fun & fairly low-cost family activities in the Ames area for the week of July 22 (excluding Monday, July 22 which is on my previous blog):

This is the last week for the library events in the Ames parks.  The library theme for the week is "Diggin' for Treasure" - yo, ho, my hearties!  Come to the park to do Pirate and Treasure themed activities, games, and crafts!  Once again, I have denoted these with ** meaning that they are all the same so you may just want to pick one of the three different times to attend.

**Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Inis Grove Park, Walnut Shelter, free - all sorts of fun activities for kids including crafts, stories, games, songs, pillowcase/potato sack races and three-legged races. Take note, when we did the paint craft/activites a few weeks ago, the paints were NOT washable so may want to plan accordingly.

Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - $1 movie "Oceans" at North Grand Theater (at the mall) in Ames

Tuesday, July 23 - 10:00AM - Reiman Gardens Story Time, $4 for kids ages 4-17, $8 for adults, children under 3 free and free if you have a family membership ($55 annual).  When we did this a few years ago, there were usually 2 stories and then a craft related to the stories.  Sometimes the crafts were inside and sometimes they were right in the gardens but once you pay you get full access to the gardens, including the butterfly wing.

UPDATE:  Tuesday, July 23 - 6:00PM - Hamilton County Fair Parade, Webster City.  I know this is a bit of a drive from Ames, but some of you may be closer or may be able to make the drive.  The parade marks the beginning of the Hamilton County Fair which begins Wednesday, July 24 and continues through Sunday.  My dad graduated from Webster City so we have been going for many years and there are always lots of fun things for kiddos.  See website for details:  http://www.freemanjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/522205/Hamilton-County-Fair-is-this-week.html?nav=5006

Wednesday, July 24 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds.  See July 23 listing for details.

Wednesday, July 24 - 1:00PM - Art in the Park, Story City Park, cost is $3 per child. Antique Carousel is also in the park and rides are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 20 for $12. Also, popcorn is 50 cents and there is a vending machine with soda and water on the north side of the Carousel building.

Here is a picture of two of my kiddos riding the dogs with Grandma:

There are also pigs, roosters, rabbits, and the usual horses, too!

And probably the boys' favorite thing of all, the spinning cup!

Wednesday, July 24 - 2:00PM & 3:00PM - Dan Wardell from IPTV will be at Bandshell Park in Ames, 6th St & Duff Ave.  He had a wonderful, interactive show a few weeks ago in Huxley and talked about healthy snacks and foods. The kids really got into the show and at the end, everyone got a cool LED flashlight. The show was about 45 minutes and of course, it was free.

Here is a picture of my boys with Dan after the show:

Wednesday, July 24 - 4:00PM - Teen Wednesdays at Bandshell Park.  (Teens only)  Hobbit Party - join in a treasure/scavenger hunt while we attempt to retrieve our stolen treasure from Smaug the dragon.  It won't be easy - obstacles will be in our way, including Smaug himself!

Wednesday, July 24 - 6:30PM - Bookmobile Storytime - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity, free, Fareway on Stange Rd

Thursday, July 25 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

**Thursday, July 25 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Daley Park, including the bookmobile. Same as July 23, just different location.

UPDATE:  Thursday, July 25 - 4:00-8:00PM - Story City's Carousel will be celebrating National Carousel Day along with its 100th birthday in the North Park. There will be inflatables from 4:00-7:00PM, Sweet Treats ice cream from 5:00-7:00PM and music from Stan Dahl (a fellow South Hamilton graduate) from 6:00-7:30PM.  Free birthday cake will be served during the concert.  Area residents are encouraged to bring their own picnic food or take out from area restaurants to enjoy in the park.  The carousel will be open for rides from noon to 8:00PM.  Thank you to Rachel, Laura's friend, for the reminder!!  Here are the details:  http://storycityherald.com/news/enjoy-music-and-fun-carousel%E2%80%99s-100th-birthday-bash.html

I know it's a bit of a drive, but the Indianola Hot Air Balloon Festival starts on Friday, July 26.  I have never been before, but we are planning a road trip with a stop through town on the 31st.  I think it runs until August 3.

Friday, July 26 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

**Friday, July 26 - 10:00AM - "Diggin' for Treasure" at Bandshell Park. Same as July 23, just different location.

Friday, July 26 - 11:30AM-1:30PM - Bookends at Bandshell, free. "Peace, Love & Stuff" (rockabilly blues) will be playing at Bandshell Park in Ames. Come bring your lunch and enjoy!

Friday, July 26 - noon - "The Naturalist Lunchbox" sponsored by Story County Conservation, free - at McFarland Park, Ames.  Not sure of details but thank you Jill for the heads up!  Sorry I didn't get this included last week.

Friday, July 26 - 2:00PM - movie, "Muppet Tresure Island" (rated G) at Ames City Auditorium, free (and air-conditioned)

Friday, July 26 - 5:00-8:00PM - Ames on the Half Shell - live music at Bandshell Park in Ames, free if you just play on playground and don't go in beer garden. Grand JCT is playing.

Friday, July 26 - 6:30PM - last Bookmobile Storytime of the summer - featuring books, music, and more, followed by a related craft activity (free), University Village

Saturday, July 27 - Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

Saturday, July 27 - 8:00AM - noon - Farmer's Market on Main Street Ames.  I have forgotten to mention in previous posts that there are usually activities or crafts for kids and live music at Tom Evans Park.  One week there was a little petting zoo and sometimes there are face painters (for a small fee), too. 

Sunday, July 28 - last day of Hamilton County Fair, Webster City fairgrounds. See July 23 listing for details.

Sunday, July 28 - 3:00-6:00PM - Prairie Moon Winery, $3 per adult, kids are free. Come see Planet Passengers (jazz and other favorites).  Jewell area people - this is Ray Burkhart & company's band.  Outside food is allowed so we bring all sorts of snacks when we go but can't bring drinks in. $3 entry includes one drink ticket that can be used for sangria or soda. They also have a big cooler of water and cups (free) so people can help themselves and food is available for purchase.

Sunday, July 28 - 6:00PM - Bookends at Bandshell, special Sunday concert, free.  This is the last Bookends at Bandshell of the summer, "Four Mile Creek Band" (bluegrass) will be playing.

Sunday, July 28 - 7:00PM until about 8:30PM - "The Java Jews" (highly caffeinated klezmer) - I don't make this stuff up and I have no idea what klezmer is, but it sounds interesting - are playing at the old Roosevelt school in Ames, 9th St & Roosevelt Ave

Also, Brookside Wading Pool is still open every day, weather permitting, from 11AM-4PM. Cost is $1 per wader (no charge for parents)

Tot Time at Furman Aquatic Center is every day from 11AM-1PM, please check their Facebook page for updates since it seems they've had a high amount of...ahem... "contamination" issues in the Splash Pool lately.  Have an awesome week!!