Ankeny's long-running summer festival will feature an early carnival, a different grand parade route and a new permanent stage for bands.
Ankeny SummerFest 2024, hosted by the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, will be July 12-14 in the District at Prairie Trail, with some family events based in the Uptown neighborhood. The event will include carnival rides, live music, food vendors, drink options, parades, fireworks and more.
The theme for this year's Ankeny SummerFest is "Making a Splash."
More information about the event is available on the SummerFest website and Facebook page.
When is Ankeny SummerFest 2024?
Ankeny SummerFest will be in the District at Prairie Trail near the Kirkendall Public Library, 1250 S.W. District Drive.
The event will open 4 p.m. Friday and run through 11 p.m. On Saturday, SummerFest will run 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The festival will be open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Where do I park for Ankeny SummerFest?
Parking space will be limited on the SummerFest grounds. Festival-goers are asked to park on the lot for the Des Moines Area Community College off Oralabor Road, where there will be shuttles to transport attendees to and from the festival entrance.
Shuttle times will be Friday 3:30 p.m. to midnight; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Walking and biking are also options.
When is the carnival? How much are wristbands?
The carnival will open early this year ahead of the rest of Ankeny SummerFest: Thursday will be a carnival-only day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The carnival will then be open Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wristbands will be available on the carnival grounds for $30 for unlimited carnival rides at the following times each day:
- Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
When and where are the Ankeny SummerFest parades?
The Grand Parade begins at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The staging area will be by Ankeny High School. The parade route will travel north on Southwest Cherry Street by Southview Middle School, continue across Southwest Ordnance Road into Uptown, turn east onto West First Street before turning north again onto Northwest School Street.
The route will then turn east onto Northwest Ninth Street before ending at Northview Middle School.
Registration for a kiddie parade in Uptown will begin 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The kiddie parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The route will begin at Southwest Third Street and Southwest School Street, go down Third Street toward Southwest Maple Street and make a loop through Uptown to end in the same spot.
The full Family Fun Night in Uptown will run 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and feature family-friendly activities and games.
When and where are the Ankeny SummerFest fireworks?
This year's firework show will begin around 9:30 p.m. at Promenade Park in the District, behind Jethro's and District 36.
The music will be played on the 92.5 KJJY radio station.
Who is playing at Ankeny SummerFest this year?
The full music lineup for Ankeny SummerFest 2024 is:
Friday, July 12
- Jordan Beem, 5 p.m.
- Tank Anthony, 7 p.m.
- Big Time Grain Co., 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 13
- School of Rock Ankeny, 11:30 a.m.
- DJ Big Lare, 1 p.m.
- Brad and Kate, 3 p.m.
- Exit 185, 5 p.m.
- Birdchild, 7 p.m.
- Not Quite Brothers, 9:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 14
- Ankeny Community Band, 1 p.m.
- Royce Johns, 2:30 p.m.
- The June Bugs, 4:30 p.m.
- Emma Butterworth, 7 p.m.
Can people bring outside food and beverage to Ankeny SummerFest?
Organizers ask that people do not bring outside food, alcohol or other beverages to the festival. Water jugs will be available.
Are pets allowed at Ankeny SummerFest?
They are not.
Will there be ATMs at Ankeny SummerFest?
There will be ATMs near the ticket booths for attendees to get cash.
Chris Higgins covers the eastern and northern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.
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