Downtown Ames 515 Days will kick off the 2025 Ames Summertime Series with a Food Truck Showdown and our Family night! 5th Street from Burnett Avenue to Douglas Avenue, Douglas Avenue from Main Street to 5th Street, and Kellogg Avenue from the Alley to 5th Street and Burnet Avenue from the Alley to 5th Street will be closed to host the event.

The Ames Summertime Series is a three part event series happening in Downtown (May 15), Campustown (June 18) and North Grand Mall (July 16) and is hosted by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance.  We look forward to celebrating summer all season long!

During this event you can sit back and relax with a beverage from Lucky Wife Wine Slushies while listening to music, experience some family fun activities and check out some of the Food Trucks that our community has to offer while voting for your favorite to be crowned the Food Truck Showdown Champion! The winner receives a trophy and bragging rights.

Music will be provided by Perfect Strangers!

Food Truck Showdown

We are excited to have the following food trucks join us for the Food Truck Showdown! Enjoy some food and vote for your favorite food truck. The winner will receive bragging rights and a trophy to show off!

Bean Caffeinated | Coffee and Lemonade

Bellbottom Mobile Cafe | Lattes, espresso, coffee, cold brew, americanos, cappuccino, chai, hot chocolate

Borrachos Mexican Tacos | Tacos, burritos, bowls, tortas, nachos, quesadillas, street corn

Brick and Ember Pizza Company | Wood fired brick oven pizza

Big Red Food Truck | Pub style food, cheeseburger and tenderloin baskets, fish tacos, jumbo waking taco boats, beef and lamb gyros, grilled chicken salad, mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites

Carlos Quesadillas | Tacos burritos, quesadillas, nachos, bowls

Comfort Food | Sandwiches, wraps, BBQ nachos, walking tacos, personal size pizzas

The Egg Roll Ladies | Asian cuisine – eggrolls, Rangoons, postickers

Fresh Fusion | Mango lassi, Masala chai, Vegan samosa with chutney, Spam musubi, Tofu musubi, Butter chicken, Chickpea curry, Shrimp curry, Pulao (fragrant rice)

Hungry Boys Taqueria | Authentic Tacos, Quesadillas, Burritos, Nachos, and Mexican sodas

Kona Ice of Central Iowa | Flavored, shaved ice, All-fruit smoothies

Superdog | Superdog, Chili Cheese Dog, Hot Diggity Dog, Special Dog, Plain Dog

Interested in vending during the event? Scroll to the bottom of the page! Vendor fees must be paid in full prior to the event.

Grab & Go Food Options

Great Harvest Bakery and Cafe | 502 Burnett Ave. | Classic deli sandwiches, jumbo cookies, cinnamon rolls and more!

Torrent Brewing Company | 504 Burnett Ave. | Pizza and Pretzels!

Family Zone

This will be located off of Douglas between Main and 5th. Join us to participate in the following

• Balloon art from Becca the Balloon Lady
• Face painting from Joyful Colorz
• Inflatable obstacle course from JP Party Rentals
• Seating for families to enjoy the event

Downtown Ames will also have businesses participating in their own activities – walk the district and check them out!

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Family Activities & Business Specials

The Slow Era | 130 Main Street #101 | Open Late!

Little Woods Herbal | 136 Main Street | We will have outdoor chalk drawing for kids and families. Also kid friendly iced tea samples to keep everyone hydrated 🙂

Marmalade Moon | 207 Main Street | Open late and 5% discount on Ice Cream, Drinks (Italian Sodas, Fanta, Lattes and more!)

Emerhoff’s Footwear | 215 Main Street | We will be having 20% off the entire store for 515 days, no exclusions!

Worldly Goods | 223 Main Street | Open until 7 pm!

Moorman Clothiers | 226 Main Street | Open until 7, 15% Savings on all Iowa State branded clothing

Duck Worth Wearing | Buy 5 items get 15% off for the 2 day event

Savor on Main | 300 Main Street | Open late with specials and tastings

b.e. good | 301 Main Street #108 | Open Late Until 7pm!

Life Distilled | 301 Main Street # 109 | Sniff & Guess: Essential Oil Challenge – Stop by for some good scents fun during Family Night Downtown! At our Sniff & Guess Station, smell essential oils and try to guess what it is! Is it lemon? Lavender? Maybe peppermint? Everyone who gives it a try gets a prize, and there’s no wrong way to play—just follow your nose and have fun!

Homegrown | 301 Main Street #111 | It’s our birthday! Stop in for birthday treats, shop our 50% off rack and enter to win a $51.50 gift card!

Valor and Violet | 310 Main Street | FREE single strand hair tinsel installs between 6-8pm, stop in anytime. First come, first serve.

Cooks’ Emporium | 313 Main Street | May 15th only 15% off Gadget Wall items

Della Viti | 323 Main Street | Specialty martinis for $5.15 during our Martini night special

The Salon | 323 Main Street | $15 Hair Tinsel application

Central Iowa Pain & Wellness | 400 Main Street | Skin tattoos for kids

The Shops at Clark & Main | 500 Main Street #101 | Take a Selfie on the Ames 1864 Mural Wall, tag us and get 15% off your purchase.

Prairie Rose Needleworks | 500 Main Street #103 | 10% off kids kits

313 Bar & Lounge | 115 5th Street | Free Popsicle & Walking Tacos for Kids, Free Complimentary well Drink Card for Parent(s) to be redeemed at a later date

American Country Home Store | 210 5th Street | 50% Off Regular Prices (One Night Only)

Potters Shoppe & Eatery | 330 5th Street | Kids Eat Free with purchase of regular priced entree item

Ames History Museum | 416 Douglas Avenue | On Thursday, May 15, the museum will be open late with free admission (4-6pm)

Octagon Center for the Arts | 427 Douglas Avenue | Art from the Attic – free button or magnet for kids with each purchase

Ames Public Library | 515 Douglas Avenue | Families are invited to drop in for a free craft Thursday.

Torrent Brewing Company | 504 Burnett Avenue | All $5 Beers will be 15% off! $20 Meal Deal (Any pizza or pretzel and 2 beverages for just $20!)

First United Methodist Church | 516 Kellogg Avenue | We will hold a scavenger hunt for families (or anyone who wants to complete it!) with people being stationed along Main street with clues. All clues will eventually lead them to the church building (side along 5th street between Kellogg and Douglas) where they will receive their prize and some snacks along with the opportunity to check out the church building, hear some music from our 1400 pipe organ while they walk around, and try out our labyrinth.

Interested in volunteering during 515 Days? we would love to have you! Sign up here! 

Enter To Win Community Cash!

Many downtown businesses offering specials related to 515 the entire week.

When you make purchases in Downtown Ames, save you receipt and bring it to the Big Bash by 6:00pm! You will exchange it for a ticket and we will call out the winning number around 6:30pm! You must be present to win!

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515 Day – Ames Summertime Series in Downtown Ames Sponsors