Happy Fourth of July weekend! 🇺🇸
After a tough night around town, here’s hoping Twin Eagles has safe water restored soon 🙏 — and that for a while, the only thing lighting up the sky around here is fireworks!
Keep scrolling for more 4th of July events, including a few that are a little farther out than usual, which got me wondering— how far from the Granger area are you willing to travel for entertainment? I’d love to hear what feels worth the drive as I keep building Hello Granger.
Thanks for being here! 🙌
📅 Things to Do This Week
Friday, July 3
Free Summer Movie at Perry Grand Theater
Perry Grand Theater | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Free
If you’re off work today for the holiday, head to Perry (about 20 minutes away) for a free family showing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
🇺🇸 Saturday, July 4 🇺🇸
🥁 Nearby 4th of July Parades
Minburn Parade
Meek Park at 315 Baker St., Minburn | 9:00 a.m.
Head to Minburn (just about 15 minutes away) for a classic small-town 4th of July celebration. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and loops around Meek Park, with family activities and plenty going on throughout the day.
Perry Parade
Perry High School | 10 a.m.
Perry’s parade (about 20 minutes away)starts near Perry High School and travels west on Willis Avenue before ending at Pattee Park.
Urbandale Parade
Urbandale | 10 a.m.
The Urbandale 4th of July parade (about 25 minutes away) is one of the biggest in the Des Moines area. The two-mile parade starts at Old City Hall on 70th Street, traveling north to Aurora Avenue before wrapping up near 82nd and Aurora.
🎇 Nearby 4th of July Fireworks
Minburn Fireworks
Minburn | Set off at dusk
Fireworks are set off just northeast of Elmwood Cemetery. There are a lot of gravel roads and other viewing areas to enjoy the show. Check out the Facebook page for a map of the area.
Perry Fireworks
Pattee Park at West 3rd St. and Willis Ave. | 9:30 p.m.
If you’re heading over, the best viewing will likely be around Pattee Park (about 25 minutes away) or nearby open areas on the west side of town.
Urbandale Fireworks
Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Ave. | 10 p.m.
Viewing’s available from the west side of the park and nearby business parking lots.
Sunday, July 5
U-Pick Raspberries
13140 Northwest 102nd Avenue Granger | 8 - 11 a.m. | $5 admission
Raspberry picking is now available at Iowa Orchard U-Pick on the south side of Highway 141. Reservations are required, with picking times currently available from 8–11 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults and kids over age 2.
Sunday Music Series
The Cellar Winery, 2183 320th St., Madrid | 1-5 p.m. |
Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack your own snacks, and enjoy an afternoon of live music featuring the Burnin’ Sensations. The tasting room opens at 1 p.m. and the free all-ages show is from 2-5 p.m.
Monday, July 6
Jester Park Equestrian Center Visit
Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 NW 103rd Ct. | 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Free
If you made it a long weekend and have the day off today, I’d definitely recommend checking out the Jester Park Equestrian Center. Our kids really enjoy seeing the horses up close and learning more about riding and horse care, and the staff is wonderful too. 👍👍
Tuesday, July 7
Dallas County Fair Opening Day
28057 Fairground Rd, Adel | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The fair officially gets rolling with livestock check-ins, 4-H and FFA animal shows, the Bill Riley Talent Search, and free carnival from 6-10 p.m. There’s family entertainment throughout the day including stunt and firefighter shows.
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m. |
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience.
Jester Park Summer Skills: Paddling
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 p.m. | $10/register by July 5
Kids ages 10–16 can learn paddling basics during a hands-on class featuring kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on Discovery Pond. Registration is required by July 5, and spots are limited.
Woodward Community Food Pantry's Summer Food Pickup
Pick up at designated location 5-7 p.m.
Eligible families in Granger, Woodward, and Bouton can pick up food at their community's designated pick-up location. Click here for more info. in a previous week’s newsletter.
Wednesday, July 8
Summer Reading Program, Artist Tim Read
Granger Public Library | 2-3 p.m. | Free but register
Get ready for some monster-sized fun at the library. Author and entertainer Tim Read is bringing his interactive “My Very Silly Monster” family program as part of this summer’s reading program — featuring silly stories, laughs and plenty of fun for kids and families.
Woodward Farmers Market
By the mural in Woodward | 5-7 p.m. |
The Woodward Farmers Market is a great chance to shop local for fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts and more.
Dallas County Fair
28057 Fairground Rd, Adel | 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. |
Today there’s livestock competitions, exhibits, free entertainment and carnival. Also, the Monster X Tour Monster Trucks show’s from 5–10 p.m. Click here for tickets: $30/general admission, $15/ages 3-12, free for kids two and under.
Thursday, July 9
Senior Social Time
Granger Community Center | 1-3 p.m. |
A chance for older adults to get out of the house and connect with cards, games, movies, conversation and occasional ice cream socials: hosted by Granger Parks and Recreation.
Dallas County Fair: Kids Day
28057 Fairground Rd, Adel |
Free carnival rides from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 6-10 p.m. There’s also story time, a firefighter show and more kid’s activities throughout the day. Also make plans to head to the Mutton Busting & Rodeo at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets: $15/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for kids five and under.
Jester Park Summer Skills: Fishing
Jester Park Nature Center | 10-12 a.m. | $10/register by July 7
Kids ages 10–16 will learn how to identify Iowa fish, rig a fishing pole, tie knots, cast and bait a hook, with all equipment, instruction and snacks provided.
Duck, Duck, Skate Fundraiser Event
Dallas Center Mound Park/Outdoor Skate Rink | 7-9 p.m. | Free
Skating, water relays, games and prizes are all part of Duck, Duck, Skate! — a family-friendly fundraiser benefiting a new sound system for the Dallas Center roller skating rink.
🏪 Local Business Spotlight
Work & Play Rentals is a family-owned business that launched earlier this year to give people in Granger and surrounding communities more convenient rental options for construction projects and party planning.
“I noticed the lack of rental options outside of the metro and Ames from doing our own projects,” said owner Jeremy Jontz. “And started hearing from a lot of others that they were tired of driving so far to rent equipment and wanted other options as well.”
They currently offer mini excavators, wheel loaders with attachments, trailers, concrete mixers, tables and chairs, party tents, and a towable grill/smoker.
They’re also planning to expand their inventory with skid loaders, lifts, and additional options for residential and commercial customers as the business continues to grow locally.
Work & Play Rentals
🌐 Click Here
📧 [email protected]
📞 (515) 402-1229
📰 Top Local Stories
• From one newsletter to another..
Don’t forget to check out the July newsletter from the Woodward-Granger Community School District: https://trst.in/kQ46Yl
A few highlights worth checking out:
📌Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents can find important updates about changes coming to the W-G Early Learning Center, including opening week schedules, new rest routines, and updated back-to-school plans.
Progress on the new W-G Middle School building.
📌The district also shared more details about W-G’s move from the West Central Activities Conference to the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference (HOIAC) as the district officially enters a new conference this school year.
📌A tentative ribbon cutting for the new W-G Middle School is currently scheduled for August 10.
🗓️ Save The Dates
These events are still a little ways off, but if you like planning ahead, here are a few dates worth saving now:
🏷️ Aug. 7-8 — Hwy 141 Garage Sales
🎉 Aug. 28-29 — Granger Days
🎃 Oct. 17 — Granger Fall Festival & Fishing Tournament
📌 Community Board
🚒 Serve with Granger Fire & EMS
A chance to serve close to home: Granger Fire & EMS is looking for residents within 10 minutes of the station to join its paid-per-call volunteer team and help support local emergency response efforts. Click here for contact info.
🚙 Volunteer Drivers Needed
Volunteer Community Services of Woodward & Granger (VCSWG) is looking for volunteer drivers to help local residents get to appointments, pick up groceries, and run errands—helping neighbors stay independent. Students, this is also a great opportunity to earn Silver Cord hours.
For more information, call 515-978-8114 or visit vcswg.org.
🍎 The community refrigerator at the Granger Public Library is accepting donations. Items like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables and protein are always needed.
❓Do you have a volunteer opportunity, job posting or another local announcement you’d like included here? Reply to this email and let me know.
💬 Community Feedback
• 📸 Have a photo from around Granger or Woodward you’d like to share? I’m hoping to start featuring more local people and places as header photos in future editions of Hello Granger — and I’d love your help.
📩 Hit reply with your photos or let me know you have one and we’ll work out how to get it included.
— Stephanie, Hello Granger
Know something going on? Just hit reply and email me with the info!
