Downtown Community Calendar
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- 2Middle Eastern Drumming with Chris & Lisa!5:30 pm – 6:15 pmThe Drum is the heartbeat of all Middle Eastern Music! Bring your dumbeck (or borrow one of ours) and learn to play a new rhythm each week. , …Drawing Class with Chris & Owyn!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmExplore new concepts each week and have fun expanding your creativity! Whether you’re young or young at heart, this class celebrates the inner child in us all. , …Delsarte Expression with Lisa!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmThree Pillars Arts ® Delsarte is a body language analysis that is complete, thorough, and understood best when experienced. Whether you’re a performing artist or someone who wishes to be more purposefully expressive, this class is for you! , …Dog-Eared Presents Birding English by Jeremy Withers7:00 pm – 9:00 pmCalling all bird-enthusiasts and word-nerds: Dog-Eared is excited to host Ames-local Jeremy Withers following the release of his book, Birding English: Exploring the History of a Language through 50 Birds. Birding English combines a love for birding with a rigorous exploration of linguistic history in 50 mini essays. E , …
- 3Big Bash4:00 pm – 8:00 pmCelebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary with a Big Bash at Ames History Museum on July 3! Family fun zone including trackless train, inflatable obstacle course, face painting, crafts, and games. Car show with vintage cars and a World War II tractor tank. Enjoy free admission to the museum, including the fe , …Tiny Deck Concert: Roamin’ John6:00 pm – 7:30 pmTiny Deck Concerts Are Back for 2026! Kick off your weekends with free live music under the open sky and on the deck! Friday nights, June 26 – September 4 | 6:00–7:30 PM Head to the east deck for amazing local bands, good vibes, and great company. Grab dinner, sip a drink, and soak up the sounds—it’s the perfect way to , …
- 4Church Building Open during Fourth of July Parade10:40 am – 1:00 pmIf you need a spot to cool off for a bit, get some cold water, refill water bottles, use a clean restroom or changing space, stop in at Ames First United Methodist Church at 516 Kellogg Avenue. We are right along the parade route on the 5th Street side. We will open at 10:40 and stay open for about 15 minutes after the , …2026 Downtown Ames Fourth of July Parade11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Fourth of July Parade is one of the largest events of the summer and a community favorite! Don your red, white, and blue, and help us celebrate Independence Day at this family-friendly event! What a great connection between Main Street and the City of Ames! Registration for the Fourth of July Parade is LIVE! Pleas , …
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- 6Books & Bevs at London Underground6:00 pm – 7:00 pmOn first Mondays of each month, Books & Beverages will be meeting from 6 – 7 PM across the street at our favorite bar, London Underground, with co-owner Ellyn and bookseller Bailey to keep you company. This book club does not require that you read a particular book; in fact, even if you wanted to, there isn’t , …Belly Dance with Shiara!6:00 pm – 6:45 pmExplore a New way to Move! Enjoy a Fun way to Exercise! Experience the Beauty of Belly Dance! This class introduces students to the Basic Movements used in ALL styles of Middle Eastern (Belly) Dance. No previous dance experience needed. , …Expand Your Dance with Shiara!7:00 pm – 7:45 pmContinue your belly dance journey by exploring new concepts each week that help polish your skills and grow your understanding of this beautiful art form. (Knowledge of the foundation moves used in belly dance is required.) , …
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- 8Budget-Friendly One Pot, Big Flavor6:00 pm – 8:00 pmWednesday, July 8, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $45 Demonstration Class. Watch from the island, eat the whole thing. A small grocery budget is not a punishment. Some of the best food on the planet was invented by people counting pennies, because the secret was never money. It was knowing what to do with an onion, a little patience , …Spiral Sampler Workshop6:30 pm – 8:30 pmJoin us for our Spiral Sampler Embroidery Class featuring the beautiful beginner-friendly design by Jessica Long. This class is perfect for new stitchers or anyone wanting to build confidence with a variety of embroidery techniques. The sampler includes guided instruction inspired by Jessica Long’s popular beginner kit , …
- 92026 Summer Sidewalk SalesTake a stroll in Downtown Ames during Sidewalk Sales and find dozens of sales and promotions that our local businesses are offering! Join us for free parking district-wide Saturday and Sunday! Participating Businesses Oak Lane Candle Co. | 121 Main St. | Discounts all around the store Thursday: 10am – 6pm Fri , …Middle Eastern Drumming with Chris & Lisa!5:30 pm – 6:15 pmThe Drum is the heartbeat of all Middle Eastern Music! Bring your dumbeck (or borrow one of ours) and learn to play a new rhythm each week. , …Dip, Swirl & Sip: All About Fondue5:30 pm – 7:00 pmFondue is simple, fun, and great for sharing. This demonstration class covers two classics: a savory swiss fondue and a chocolate dessert fondue. You’ll leave knowing how to make both at home. We’ll cover cheese and chocolate selection, how to get the right texture, and good dippers. You’ll also sampl , …Hands-on Sushi + Knife Skills6:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday, July 9, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $65 Hands-On Workshop. You cut, you roll, you eat. Sushi at home sounds like a project. It is, a little. But the techniques are learnable, and the day you get them, a whole category of cooking cracks open. You work two skills in one night. The knife first: grip, posture, and the cuts , …Drawing Class with Chris & Owyn!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmExplore new concepts each week and have fun expanding your creativity! Whether you’re young or young at heart, this class celebrates the inner child in us all. , …Delsarte Expression with Lisa!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmThree Pillars Arts ® Delsarte is a body language analysis that is complete, thorough, and understood best when experienced. Whether you’re a performing artist or someone who wishes to be more purposefully expressive, this class is for you! , …
- 102026 Summer Sidewalk SalesTake a stroll in Downtown Ames during Sidewalk Sales and find dozens of sales and promotions that our local businesses are offering! Join us for free parking district-wide Saturday and Sunday! Participating Businesses Oak Lane Candle Co. | 121 Main St. | Discounts all around the store Thursday: 10am – 6pm Fri , …Tiny Deck Concert: Bleujack6:00 pm – 7:30 pmTiny Deck Concerts Are Back for 2026! Kick off your weekends with free live music under the open sky and on the deck! Friday nights, June 26 – September 4 | 6:00–7:30 PM Head to the east deck for amazing local bands, good vibes, and great company. Grab dinner, sip a drink, and soak up the sounds—it’s the perfect way to , …Date Night in Paris: Steak Frites & Classic French Flavors6:00 pm – 8:00 pmFriday, July 10, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $85 Demonstration Class. Watch it made, eat it together over wine. Steak frites sounds simple and goes wrong constantly. The steak overcooks, the fries go limp, and the butter on top is just butter. Tonight we show you how the bistros actually pull it off. We walk through classic Frenc , …
- 112026 Summer Sidewalk SalesTake a stroll in Downtown Ames during Sidewalk Sales and find dozens of sales and promotions that our local businesses are offering! Join us for free parking district-wide Saturday and Sunday! Participating Businesses Oak Lane Candle Co. | 121 Main St. | Discounts all around the store Thursday: 10am – 6pm Fri , …Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market8:00 am – 12:30 pmSpecial Event: Joyful Colorz Face Painting & Ames Bookmobile Musician: Denise Forney Cooking Contest: Pies Pies Pies Contest | Sign Up Here! Day Sponsor: Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Be , …Bookstore Crawl with Dahlia Darling & Co., presented by Stallie’s Sweets9:00 am – 3:00 pmBookstore tour on Saturday, July 11th, 9am-3pm aboard Dahlia Darling & Co. Important information: Each seat is $70 Must be 18+ Seats are limited Payment due ahead of time No refunds will be given Your ticket price guarantees you a comfortable seat on the bus, a Stallie’s Sweets sugar cookie, a drink of choic , …
- 122026 Summer Sidewalk SalesTake a stroll in Downtown Ames during Sidewalk Sales and find dozens of sales and promotions that our local businesses are offering! Join us for free parking district-wide Saturday and Sunday! Participating Businesses Oak Lane Candle Co. | 121 Main St. | Discounts all around the store Thursday: 10am – 6pm Fri , …NY Style Bagels w/ Jason1:00 pm – 3:00 pmSunday, July 12, 2026 · 1:00 PM · $55 Demonstration Class with Jason. Watch the whole process, eat them warm. A real bagel is hard to find outside New York. The chew, the crust, the way it stands up to a pile of cream cheese and lox. Most of what gets called a bagel is a round roll having an identity crisis. Jason take , …
- 13Belly Dance with Shiara!6:00 pm – 6:45 pmExplore a New way to Move! Enjoy a Fun way to Exercise! Experience the Beauty of Belly Dance! This class introduces students to the Basic Movements used in ALL styles of Middle Eastern (Belly) Dance. No previous dance experience needed. , …Expand Your Dance with Shiara!7:00 pm – 7:45 pmContinue your belly dance journey by exploring new concepts each week that help polish your skills and grow your understanding of this beautiful art form. (Knowledge of the foundation moves used in belly dance is required.) , …
- 14New Moon Intention Bag6:30 pm – 8:30 pmIn this creative class, students will hand-embroider their own Intention Bag—a personal pouch meant to hold meaningful items or tools for mindfulness. Students will learn basic embroidery techniques and apply them to decorate their bag. They will then work with Jenny from Life Distilled to blend an essential oil roller , …
- 15Lunch Bunch Stitching Meetup12:00 pm – 2:00 pmDe-stress during the work day with our new lunch time stitching group! Bring a project, bring lunch, and join us for stitching fun. Every Third Wednesday of the Month, 12-2 p.m. , …Embroidery Key Chain Workshop6:00 pm – 8:00 pmLearn a few basic stitches, embroidery tips and tricks, and go home with your own hand-embroidered 1″ mini embroidery hoop keychain. Choose your thread color and design when you arrive. We will start by learning on practice hoops before we move on to your final project. All supplies provided, and you will have ti , …The Oyster Experience: Shucking, Tasting & Pairing6:00 pm – 8:00 pmWednesday, July 15, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $75 Hands-On Workshop. You shuck them, you eat them. Oysters are the thing you order out and never touch at home. That ends tonight. You learn to shuck properly and safely, no lost thumbs, no spilled liquor, and then you do it yourself, again and again, until your hands stop thinkin , …Bored? Games!6:30 pm – 8:30 pmWill you punch your Ticket to Ride or will your Splendor attract noble patrons? Join us for adult game night every month to find out! Tabletop games will be available to play, or bring a favorite to share. All gaming experience levels are welcome. Snacks will be provided. Everyone 18 or older is welcome. Supported by t , …
- 163rd Thursday Fit Night5:30 pm – 7:00 pmJoin us for a community event focused on enjoying the outdoors and staying active. Follow a set route at your own pace – run or walk as far as you like. Every 3rd Thursday from May through October, meet at Brown’s Shoe Fit Ames. Bring friends and enjoy refreshments, giveaways, and a fun midweek boost to you , …Middle Eastern Drumming with Chris & Lisa!5:30 pm – 6:15 pmThe Drum is the heartbeat of all Middle Eastern Music! Bring your dumbeck (or borrow one of ours) and learn to play a new rhythm each week. , …Third Thursday Music on the Patio5:30 pm – 8:00 pmJoin us on the patio for an evening of music and refreshments, featuring Ben Schrag, Jen McClung and Avery Opperman. A great way to relax, hang with friends and enjoy the beautiful weather. , …Board Game Night6:00 pm – 9:00 pmMorning Bell will be open late, offering our coffee menu plus a special cocktail and mocktail with board games available to play , …Beyond Hummus: Creative Ways to Cook with Chickpeas6:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday, July 16, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $55 Demonstration Class. Watch it all, eat every course. Chickpeas are one of the most versatile things in your kitchen, and most of us use them for exactly one dip. Tonight changes that. We run a lineup that shows how far a pot of chickpeas actually goes: roasted until they have rea , …Drawing Class with Chris & Owyn!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmExplore new concepts each week and have fun expanding your creativity! Whether you’re young or young at heart, this class celebrates the inner child in us all. , …Delsarte Expression with Lisa!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmThree Pillars Arts ® Delsarte is a body language analysis that is complete, thorough, and understood best when experienced. Whether you’re a performing artist or someone who wishes to be more purposefully expressive, this class is for you! , …
- 17Tiny Deck Concert: Casey Joe Collins6:00 pm – 7:30 pmTiny Deck Concerts Are Back for 2026! Kick off your weekends with free live music under the open sky and on the deck! Friday nights, June 26 – September 4 | 6:00–7:30 PM Head to the east deck for amazing local bands, good vibes, and great company. Grab dinner, sip a drink, and soak up the sounds—it’s the perfect way to , …Summer Chef’s Table6:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday, July 17, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $85 Chef’s Table. Watch it cooked, eat it course by course. Iowa in July does not whisper. The tomatoes are finally ripe, the sweet corn is actually sweet, and the farmers market is at peak chaos. This dinner is built on all of it. Andy cooks a full multi-course meal out of wha , …
- 18Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market8:00 am – 12:30 pmSpecial Event: Nathan & Clay Musician: Casey Joe Collins Day Sponsor: Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Bellbottom Moble Café Carlos Quesadillas C’est la Crepe Crafty Folk of Ames Crave A Cake Deal , …Beach Vibes Bag Charm Bar2:00 pm – 4:00 pmCreate a custom coastal accessory for your project bag or scissors at our beach-themed charm bar! Mix shells, pearls, beads, and ocean charms to design your perfect summer bag charm. $10 per finished accessory , …
- 19Dog-Eared Presents Christina Lauren in conversation with Susan Lee6:00 pm – 8:00 pmDog-Eared Books is thrilled to welcome back to Ames the iconic romance writing duo Christina Lauren, known for their perfectly timed humor blended with unforgettable romance. Join us on Sunday, July 19, at 6 PM for an event with Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings to celebrate their latest novel, The Romance Revival. C , …
- 20Belly Dance with Shiara!6:00 pm – 6:45 pmExplore a New way to Move! Enjoy a Fun way to Exercise! Experience the Beauty of Belly Dance! This class introduces students to the Basic Movements used in ALL styles of Middle Eastern (Belly) Dance. No previous dance experience needed. , …Expand Your Dance with Shiara!7:00 pm – 7:45 pmContinue your belly dance journey by exploring new concepts each week that help polish your skills and grow your understanding of this beautiful art form. (Knowledge of the foundation moves used in belly dance is required.) , …
- 21DIY Food Storage: Ditch the Plastic5:30 pm – 7:00 pmPlastic wrap, zip-lock bags, and single-use packaging get used more than a lot of us would like. In this hands-on class, we’ll explore simple, affordable alternatives you can make and use right at home. Together we’ll make beeswax wraps from scratch, learn the art of the mason jar, and swap ideas for reduci , …
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- 23Middle Eastern Drumming with Chris & Lisa!5:30 pm – 6:15 pmThe Drum is the heartbeat of all Middle Eastern Music! Bring your dumbeck (or borrow one of ours) and learn to play a new rhythm each week. , …Ultimate Burger – Homemade Sauces, Pickles & Toppings6:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday, July 23, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $55 Demonstration Class. Watch it built, eat the whole spread. A great burger is not about the beef. It is about everything else: the sauce you cannot stop eating, pickles that actually taste like something, toppings that earn the pile of napkins. We build the thing from the condimen , …Drawing Class with Chris & Owyn!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmExplore new concepts each week and have fun expanding your creativity! Whether you’re young or young at heart, this class celebrates the inner child in us all. , …Delsarte Expression with Lisa!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmThree Pillars Arts ® Delsarte is a body language analysis that is complete, thorough, and understood best when experienced. Whether you’re a performing artist or someone who wishes to be more purposefully expressive, this class is for you! , …
- 24Tiny Deck Concert: Ben Schrag & the Cautionaries8:00 am – 6:00 pmTiny Deck Concerts Are Back for 2026! Kick off your weekends with free live music under the open sky and on the deck! Friday nights, June 26 – September 4 | 6:00–7:30 PM Head to the east deck for amazing local bands, good vibes, and great company. Grab dinner, sip a drink, and soak up the sounds—it’s the perfect way to , …Kitchen Confidence: A Simple Weeknight6:00 pm – 8:00 pmFriday, July 24, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $65 Demonstration Class. Watch it cooked, eat the whole plate. Most weeknight ruts come down to two things going wrong: chicken that dries out, and vegetables that taste like nothing. Fix those two and dinner stops being a chore. We walk through it start to finish. How to cook chicken , …
- 25Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market8:00 am – 12:30 pmSpecial Event: Meyer’s Pony Rides Musician: Miles Morgan Day Sponsor: Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Bellbottom Moble Café Carlos Quesadillas C’est la Crepe Crafty Folk of Ames Crave A Cake De , …
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- 27Belly Dance with Shiara!6:00 pm – 6:45 pmExplore a New way to Move! Enjoy a Fun way to Exercise! Experience the Beauty of Belly Dance! This class introduces students to the Basic Movements used in ALL styles of Middle Eastern (Belly) Dance. No previous dance experience needed. , …Expand Your Dance with Shiara!7:00 pm – 7:45 pmContinue your belly dance journey by exploring new concepts each week that help polish your skills and grow your understanding of this beautiful art form. (Knowledge of the foundation moves used in belly dance is required.) , …
- 284th Tuesday Free Open Write3:30 pm – 5:00 pmJoin Ana McCracken for our Open Write Tuesday on Zoom or in person at Fifth Street Writers. WHAT’S AN OPEN WRITE? We join together, share what we’re working on, and write for ~90 minutes. At the end, we share our successes, and sign off. Easy peasy. Email Ana, ana@ameswriterscollective.org to register for the event. , …
- 29The Scoop on Homemade Ice Cream6:00 pm – 8:00 pmWednesday, July 29, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $55 Demonstration Class. Watch it made, eat a full dessert spread. Homemade ice cream sounds harder than it is, and tastes so far past anything in a carton that you will be annoyed you waited this long. We take you through the whole thing: a proper custard base, the ratios that matt , …
- 30Middle Eastern Drumming with Chris & Lisa!5:30 pm – 6:15 pmThe Drum is the heartbeat of all Middle Eastern Music! Bring your dumbeck (or borrow one of ours) and learn to play a new rhythm each week. , …Pasta 1016:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday, July 30, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $55 Hands-On Workshop. You make it, you eat it. Fresh pasta sounds like a project right up until you do it once. After that it is just a thing you know how to do. You work it from scratch: mixing and kneading a real egg dough, learning to feel when it is ready instead of guessing, th , …Drawing Class with Chris & Owyn!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmExplore new concepts each week and have fun expanding your creativity! Whether you’re young or young at heart, this class celebrates the inner child in us all. , …Delsarte Expression with Lisa!6:30 pm – 7:15 pmThree Pillars Arts ® Delsarte is a body language analysis that is complete, thorough, and understood best when experienced. Whether you’re a performing artist or someone who wishes to be more purposefully expressive, this class is for you! , …
- 31Tiny Deck Concert: Days Live6:00 pm – 7:30 pmTiny Deck Concerts Are Back for 2026! Kick off your weekends with free live music under the open sky and on the deck! Friday nights, June 26 – September 4 | 6:00–7:30 PM Head to the east deck for amazing local bands, good vibes, and great company. Grab dinner, sip a drink, and soak up the sounds—it’s the perfect way to , …Hands-on Pretzels + Beer Cheese6:00 pm – 7:00 pmFriday, July 31, 2026 · 6:00 PM · $55 Hands-On Workshop. You twist them, you dip them, you eat them. A warm, hand-twisted pretzel next to a bowl of good beer cheese is one of those combinations that just makes sense. The kind of thing you should be able to make yourself. You will. Start with the dough, mixing, kneading , …Embroidered Belt Bag6:30 pm – 8:00 pmOwner of Handful of Made, Karlie Hunter, will walk you through embroidering a belt bag. Price includes the use of all required supplies (needle, thread, belt bag, design, etc.) and instruction. Learn a few beginner stitches, embroidery tips and tricks, and go home with your own handmade, embroidered belt bag. Don’ , …
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Events for June
29th
6:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Belly Dance with Shiara!
7:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Expand Your Dance with Shiara!
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8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market
Ames Main Street Farmers Market
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Questions or problems? Contact ronnie@amesalliance.com