CITY OF WAUKEE

YOUR GUIDE TO Summertime in Waukee is shaping up to be another one full of fun in the sun, exciting annual events, family activities, and more!

Residents and visitors of all ages can find entertaining and enriching activities in Waukee this summer. Be sure to mark your calendars, and check waukee.org/summertime for updates and more information.

2022 Summer Reading Challenge

Register now! • waukeepubliclibrary.org/summer

The Waukee Public Library’s Summer Challenge is back for 2022 with a fun “Read Off the Path” theme! Children, teens and adults can read or listen to books and earn prizes from June 1-July 31. Register online now, and see the calendar on the Library’s website for event listings.

Waukee Farmers Market

Wednesdays from June 1-Sept. 28 • 4-7 p.m. Downtown Triangle, Ashworth Drive & 6th Street • waukeedowntown.com

Presented by the Waukee Triangle Businesses, the Farmers Market is held in the Downtown Triangle every Wednesday evening during the summer and features local food vendors, fresh produce, handmade items and live music.

Movies in the Park

June 3, July 3 & Aug. 12 Centennial Park • Dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.) • waukee.org/moviesinthepark

Join Waukee Parks & Recreation and NCMIC for free screenings of Hollywood's biggest hits under the stars at Centennial Park! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. The three great films on deck for summer 2022 are: Friday, June 3 – “Luca” (PG) Sunday, July 3 – “Sing 2” (PG-13) Friday, Aug. 12 – “Cruella” (PG-13)

Triumph Park Grand Opening Event

Friday, June 3 • 5 p.m. 700 NW Douglas Parkway • waukee.org

The ribbon cutting for Waukee’s new 66-acre Triumph Park is planned for June 3 at 5:00 p.m. Located at 700 NW Douglas Parkway, this newest addition to the Waukee park system features 12 softball/baseball fields, Greater Iowa Credit Union Miracle League® Field, EPIC Inclusive Playground, 11-acre pond with accessible fishing pier and much more. Visit Waukee.org for event details.

Bacoon Ride Waukee Arts Festival

Saturday, June 18 • bacoonride.com

Like to ride bicycles? Like bacon? Like the Raccoon River Valley Trail? Put it all together and you have the Baccoon Ride. Enjoy a 71-mile bike ride on the scenic Raccoon River Valley Trail featuring bacon specialty foods along the way. This ride supports the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

Waukee's Celebration of Independence

July 3 & 4 Centennial Park • waukee.org/july

Each year, Waukee hosts a celebration of our nation's independence. Here’s the 2022 line-up:

Sunday, July 3

• Adult Coed Sand Volleyball Tournament • Family Entertainment • Movies in the Park: “Sing 2” – 8:45 p.m. (dusk)

Monday, July 4

• Parade – 10:30 a.m. • FREE Ice Cream Social • Food/Beverage Vendors • Inflatables • Adult Bags Tournament • Live Music from Mint and Birdchild • Des Moines Skydivers at 8 p.m. • Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 15 • 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 16 • 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Centennial Park • waukeeartsfestival.org

The Waukee Area Arts Council presents the popular Waukee Arts Festival. It will kick off Friday evening with live music from Elton and Bill – The Tribute and opener School of Rock. Saturday, enjoy Decoy in concert with openers Girls Rock! Des Moines and Katie & The Honky Tonks. The event features dozens of local and regional artists, a student art exhibit, food vendors, kids’ activities and a beverage garden.

Battle of the 'Burbs

Saturday, Aug. 6 • 8 a.m. NCMIC, 14001 University Ave. in Clive • ncmicgroup.com/ summerbreeze

Run the Battle of the ‘Burbs 5K or 10K on Saturday, Aug. 6. Choose the ‘burb you will represent while running (Waukee, obviously). NCMIC passes along 100 percent of the registration fees for Waukee to the Waukee Betterment Foundation. The community with the most runners wins bragging rights! There’s also a Kids Fun Run.

Waukee Public Safety Day

Tuesday, Aug 2 • 5-8 p.m. Public Safety Day, 1300 SE L.A. Grant Parkway waukee.org/publicsafetyday

The Waukee Police and Fire Departments will join forces again for Public Safety Day. Take on a firefighter obstacle course, and spray a real fire hose. Sit in a police car, and meet real police officers. Enjoy grilled food from Fareway and a fun night of public safety activities.

Discount inflatables tickets will be available for purchase June 1-30. Visit Waukee.org/july for event times, inflatables ticket information and other details.

Waukee Athletic Club Takes Softball to the Next Level

Spring means softball, and many middle and high school girls are currently in their school seasons. For girls who love the game and want to take their skills to the next level, the Waukee Athletic Club (WAC) offers them the chance.

The WAC, formally known as Warrior Athletic Club,

is a local, non-profit organization promoting the education, training, and skill development of fastpitch softball for girls ages six and older who attend school within the Waukee Community School District. According to their mission statement, the aim is to develop a championship girl's softball program for the Waukee Community School District that encourages participation, excellence, sportsmanship, pride, and fun.

Current vice president and 8-and-under coach Chris Crawford, who has 7 and 9-yearold daughters participating in WAC, said the mission statement couldn’t be more spot-on. “As an organization led by volunteer parents and coaches, we all strive for excellence within our teams and organization,” Crawford said. “We constantly promote sportsmanship to these young ladies, take pride in educating and developing our players, and are always having fun.” When Waukee High School expanded to two schools last year, the WAC board quickly realized the Warrior Athletic Club moniker no longer fit. “We had to pivot and make a change,” Matt Hackett, current WAC president, said. “Changing to Waukee Athletic Club just made sense.” WAC went through a complete rebrand, changing the club’s colors and uniforms to incorporate the color schemes from both Waukee high schools.