West Des Moines, IA
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The West Des Moines Weekend
Friday, July 3rd | The Kickoff
The Independence Day Parade
- 4:30 pm: Road Closures Start
- 5:15 pm: Parade Line-Up Begins
- 6:30 pm: Parade Starts
Parade Route: Starts at Valley West Drive and Ashworth Road heading east. Turns south on Vine Street to 4th Street, continuing south to conclude at Maple Street in Valley Junction.
West Des Moines Community Band Concert
7:00 pm (Jamie Hurd Amphitheater at the WDM City Campus)
Food Trucks & Beverage Sales
7:00 pm (Jamie Hurd Amphitheater at the WDM City Campus)
- Baan Vaan Ice Cream
- Fruits N' Such
- Kona Ice
- WDM Parks and Rec Concessions
The Feel Right Concert
8:00 pm (Jamie Hurd Amphitheater at the WDM City Campus)
Alcohol Policy
To ensure a safe environment during our Friday Night Live music concerts, the following alcohol policy is enforced:
- No Outside Alcohol: You may not bring your own alcoholic beverages. Bags and coolers will be checked at the entrance.
- On-Site Sales: Alcohol will be available for purchase inside the venue. A valid ID is required.
- Payment: Sales are card or Apple Pay only (no cash).
- No Tipping: Our servers are not permitted to accept tips.
Drone Show Spectacular
9:30 pm (WDM City Campus)
Sponsored by Microsoft & the West Des Moines Community Foundation
Important Notices
- Parking Lot Access: If your vehicle is parked in the Library or Learning Resource Center (LRC) lots, you will be unable to enter or exit the area from the start of the show until it concludes. For safety, the area must remain entirely clear of pedestrians and vehicles during the 15-minute performance.
- Safety First: For your safety, please remain behind all barricades and crowd-control fencing. Restricted zones are off-limits during the drone show; please follow all staff instructions.
- Total Blackout: For the best viewing experience, all lights in the amphitheater and on the stage will be turned off during the show. Please use caution when moving through the area.
Saturday, July 4th | The Finale
Community Celebration & Fireworks Show: Event Map
Community Celebration
5:00 pm (Jordan Creek Town Center)
- Food Trucks - Magoo Pizza, Sweet Swirled Ice Cream, and Momma Moody's Grinders
- Beverage Garden - Top It Off Liquid Catering
- Live Music - Kelsie, Mitchell Wallsmith, and The Nadas
250th Anniversary Fireworks
9:45 pm (Jordan Creek Town Center)
- National Anthem - Sung by Jackie Schmillen
July 4th Aquatic Centers Discounted Admission
Cool off with us on July 4th! We are reducing aquatic center admission to only $4.00 per person. Pool passes are accepted for this event.
Locations & Hours on Saturday, July 4, 2026:
- Holiday Aquatic Center: 11:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Valley View Aquatic Center: 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Holiday Classic Horseshoe Tourney
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Check-in: 9:30 am | Start: 10:00 am
Location: Holiday Park (1701 Railroad Ave.)
Fee: $15.00
For more information, please contact the WDM Horseshoe Pitchers Association at 515-669-3085 or 641-728-4751.
Fireworks Notice: City Property & Parks
While state law permits the use of fireworks on July 3, 4, and December 31, this does not authorize their use on City-owned property.
- As stated in State Code Sec. 727.2, individuals may only discharge fireworks on property they own or with explicit permission from the property owner.
- The use of fireworks in City parks or other City-owned locations remains strictly prohibited.
- Violators may be issued a misdemeanor citation, prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney's Office.
Sales & Purchasing
Fireworks are legal to sell and purchase in West Des Moines. Following state law passed on April 21, 2022, consumer fireworks may be sold within city limits. Learn more about the sale of consumer fireworks here.