Right now, it’s an empty park. By Sunday morning, it’ll be home to 30+ vendors for this month’s Granger Farmers Market — something pretty special for a town our size. Janning Family Chiropractic is also sponsoring a grill out during the event, making for a pretty great Sunday in Granger!
There’s plenty more happening around town this week, so keep reading — and thank you, as always, for supporting Hello Granger.🌻
📅 Things to Do This Week
Friday, June 26
Mikayla Oz the Magician Magic Show
Woodward United Methodist Church, 108 W. 5th St | 10 a.m. |
The Woodward Public Library Summer Reading Program brings more summer fun with a family-friendly magic show filled with comedy, interactive moments and plenty of surprises that will keep all ages entertained. No registration needed.
Pony Tales
Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 NW 103rd Ct., Granger | 11:30 a.m. |
Little horse lovers won’t want to miss Pony Tales, a horse-themed story time at the equestrian center featuring a special reading and a few horse guests nearby. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the fun.
Family Fun Night at the Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center
Jester Park: Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center | 6-8 p.m. | $5 ages 4+; free under age 4
Grab the family for an evening of archery, games, puzzles, bouldering, and s’mores. This open-house style event requires no registration, with light snacks provided and payment accepted by cash (preferred) or card at the door.
Free Skating Fun in Dallas Center
Dallas Center Mound Park/Outdoor Skate Rink | Fri., 7-9 p.m. | Free
Summer Birthday Party Night is the theme for this week’s free community skate night, Enjoy free skating, scooters, music, games, prizes, and budget-friendly snacks. Only 10 minutes away!
Saturday, June 27
Yoga in the Park
Centennial Park | 8 a.m. | Free
Open to all experience levels, this outdoor class is a great chance to enjoy fresh air, movement and a relaxing start to the weekend. Bring your own mat if you have one, though extras will be available.
Ladies Afternoon With Horses
Whiskey River Farms, 2343 G Ave, Perry | 1-3 p.m. | $50
Just about 20 miles from Granger, Whiskey River Farms is hosting a Ladies Afternoon featuring a horse riding lesson, snacks and more. Reservations are required — call or text (515) 423-2102.
Sunday, June 28
Yoga in the Park
Centennial Park | 9-10 a.m. | Free
Enjoy movement, fresh air and a relaxing start to the day before the Granger Farmers Market. Class is designed for all experience levels. Bring your yoga mat, water bottle and a friend.
Granger Farmers Market
Centennial Park | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Come support an impressive lineup of local vendors, makers, growers, bakers and small businesses at the park. Click here for the vendor map, plan your stops and bring a friend along for the fun! And since it only happens once a month, catch this one — or mark your calendar now for the next market on July 26!
Stone Bridge Church VBS
18280 Wendover Ave., Granger | Sunday-Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. |
A special milestone for Stone Bridge Church — this year’s Illumination Station VBS will help create some of the first memories inside the church’s new building. Kids entering K–5th grade will enjoy fun, activities and learning centered around Jesus. Sign up here.
Monday, June 29
Music, Dancing and Fun with Conductor Jack
Woodward Public Library | 1:30-2:15 p.m.
Get ready for music, dancing and plenty of energy as Conductor Jack, a viral YouTuber and Emmy Award-winning children’s entertainer, brings his popular preschool dance party to town. The event is geared toward ages 0–5 — no registration needed.
Tuesday, June 30
Adult Yoga
Granger Community Center | 10-11 a.m. |
Yoga for adults with beginner to intermediate experience.
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 1
Bubble Show by Absolute Science
Granger Public LIbrary | 2-3 p.m. |
Big bubbles and hands-on fun are coming as Absolute Science brings an interactive Bubble Show packed with exciting experiments and opportunities for kids to join in on the fun. Be sure to register ahead of time — if you wait, call the day of the event to see if any spots are still open: (515) 999-2088.
Woodward Farmers Market
By the mural in Woodward | 5-7 p.m. |
The Woodward Farmers Market is a great chance to shop local while browsing fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, local vendors and more.
Thursday, July 2
Toddler Tales
Jester Park Nature Center | 9:30-10 a.m. |
Kids ages 2 and up can enjoy a Lady Bugs-themed story time followed by a naturalist-led activity that may include crafts, puppets or a chance to meet an animal. This event is free and no registration is needed.
Register for A Little Social
A quick reminder to register for Friday’s A Little Social, where kids ages 0–5 can enjoy free play while caregivers connect. The event runs 9–10:15 a.m., costs $7, and registration is through Parks & Rec.
🏪 Local Spotlight
This Granger Farm Is About More Than Growing Crops
The farmers working the fields on the east side of Hwy. 17 (just past the Twin Eagles entrance) are part of a project with a mission that reaches far beyond the community.
The 13-acre farm, owned by Practical Farmers of Iowa, is leased to Global Greens, a program through Lutheran Services in Iowa that helps refugee farmers gain access to land and build agricultural businesses.
After gaining experience on smaller quarter-acre plots in West Des Moines, farmers have the opportunity to expand their operations at the Granger site. Four farmers are currently working the land, including three originally from East and Central African countries such as Burundi and Tanzania, and one farmer originally from Cameroon.
The broader program supports hundreds of families across Central Iowa while helping participants build agricultural businesses, maintain cultural food traditions and create new opportunities through farming.
It’s a reminder that even in a small community like Granger, there are connections to stories, cultures and communities from across the globe.
Want to support the farmers working the Granger site?
Produce grown through Global Greens can be purchased at the Global Greens International Market, held every Saturday through Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1907 Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines.
Practical Farmers of Iowa supports a network of 9,000+ farmers statewide, including members in the Granger area. Thank you to Elizabeth Wilhelm of Practical Farmers of Iowa for helping provide information for this local spotlight. Learn more about PFI here.
📰 Top Local Stories
• New Fall Festival & Fishing Tournament Planned for Granger
A brand-new community tradition is coming to Granger! Plans are officially underway for the first-ever Granger Fall Festival & Fishing Tournament, hosted by Mayor Clint Davis, happening Oct. 17.
The event is designed to get families outdoors and will include a youth fishing tournament, pumpkin-themed arts and crafts using pumpkins grown locally by Mayor Davis, a family photo area and high-energy fall festival games designed to keep kids moving.
Organizers are also working to bring local high school varsity athletes to the event to interact with younger kids and help create a strong hometown feel. Community members, businesses, organizations and youth groups interested in getting involved can contact Emily Blair at [email protected] or 515-779-0221.
• Jester Park Makes Central Iowa Summer Challenge List
The popular Des Moines Parent Trek the Parks Challenge is back this summer and includes a stop in Granger.
The challenge encourages families to explore 35 parks from June until August 23 and earn prizes along the way. An easy one for us to check off locally is the Jester Park Campground Playground. This play space includes a very tall slide and a play space for smaller kids. To register for the parks challenge, click here.
📌 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.
— Stephanie, Hello Granger
Know something going on? Just hit reply and email me with the info!
