CITY OF WAUKEE Guide to Summertime

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 something entertaining and enriching in Waukee this summer. Here are a few highlights. Be sure to mark your calendars, and check waukee.org/summertime over the next few months for updates and more information.

2021 Summer Reading Challenge

Register now! • waukeelibrary.beanstack.com

The Waukee Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is back for 2021 with a fun “Tails & Tales” theme! Find out what’s special about the animals that roam the lands, soar through the air and swim in the oceans. Children, teens and adults can read or listen to books and earn prizes from June 1-July 31. Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns, events will be held entirely online.

Waukee Farmers Market

Wednesdays from June 2-Sept. 29 • 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 4, July 3 & Aug. 13 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 2021 are: Friday, June 4: “Aladdin” (PG) Saturday, July 3: “Jumanji: The Next Level” (PG-13) Friday, Aug. 13: “Black Panther” (PG-13)

Fish Waukee

Saturday, June 5 • 9-11 a.m. Kettlestone Commons Ponds, 2727 Grand Prairie Parkway • waukee.org/registration

The Rotary Club of Waukee, the Waukee Parks & Recreation Department and Iowa State University Extension & Outreach of Dallas County are hosting a fishing event using the Fish Iowa! curriculum. Participants in K-6th grades will learn key fishing skills such as baiting, casting, reeling, and fish and wildlife ethics through rotating stations. “Free fishing” areas will be available for children and adults of all ages. The event is free; however, the youth workshops do require advance registration.

Bacoon Ride Waukee Arts Festival

Saturday, June 19 • bacoonride.com

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

Waukee's Celebration of Independence

Friday, July 16 • 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 17 • 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Centennial Park • waukeeartsfestival.org

The Waukee Area Arts Council and Stivers Ford Lincoln present the popular Waukee Arts Festival. It will kick off Friday evening with live music from Bonnie Finken and opener Not Quite Brothers. Saturday, enjoy Decoy in concert with opener Dickie. The event also features dozens of local and regional artists, a student art exhibit, food vendors, kids’ activities and a beverage garden.

July 2-4 Centennial Park • waukee.org/july

Each year, Waukee hosts a celebration of our nation's independence. This year it's expanding to three days! Here’s a list of activities being offered: • Carnival • Food Trucks/Vendors • Adult Trivia • Adult Coed Sand Volleyball Tournament • Adult Bags Tournament • Movies in the Park: “Jumanji: The Next Level” • Parade (new route!) • Des Moines Skydivers • Live Music: AfterShock • Fireworks

Discount carnival tickets will be available for purchase June 1-30. Visit waukee.org/july for event dates times, carnival ticket information and other details as they are finalized.

Battle of the 'Burbs

Saturday, Aug. 7 • 9 a.m. NCMIC, 14001 University Ave. in Clive • ncmic.com/battle

The rematch is on! Run the Battle of the ‘Burbs 5K or 10K on Saturday, Aug. 7. Choose the ‘burb you will represent while running (Waukee, obviously). NCMIC passes along 100 percent of the registration fees to the Waukee Betterment Foundation. And, the community with the most runners wins bragging rights! There’s also a Kids Fun Run.

Waukee Public Safety Day

Tuesday, Aug 3 • 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 a modified version of Waukee’s Public Safety Day. The details of this year’s event are still being determined. Check waukee.org/publicsafetyday for updates.

Waukee Palooza Music Festival

Saturday, Aug. 28 • Noon-10 p.m. Centennial Park • waukeepalooza.com

The Rotary Club of Waukee is hosting its annual musical event in Centennial Park. Previously known as the “Bar-B-Kee Bash,” this event has rebranded to focus on fun for the whole family! Enjoy metro area youth music groups and solo acts, food and beverage vendors, and kids’ activities. One of the Midwest’s fastest-rising country bands—Big Time Grain Company—will headline the event in the evening. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the event.

Smart Strategies

for Summer

Warmer weather signals the arrival of summer, and with it comes many reasons to celebrate! But often good weather also brings on some of the most tempting eats and drinks around—ice cream, blended coffee beverages, and potato and pasta salads galore, just to name a few.

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her top three warm-weather tips to help you make the healthy choice an easy choice this summer. Your taste buds and waistline will thank you!

1 2 3

Grill something new and seasonal, like stone fruits. Stone fruits include apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums. Simply cut in half and remove pit; grill on medium heat cut-side down, flip once; and remove from grill after five minutes, or when fruit is softened and just charred. Enjoy for dessert, or add to a green or grain salad! Hydrate happier at the pool or baseball game. Plan ahead and make your own fruit-infused waters. Your beverage will not only look delicious, but itʼll taste refreshing while keeping you hydrated. Simply combine thinly sliced strawberries and lemon slices with cold water or try cilantro, lime wedges and watermelon cubes in sparkling water served over crushed ice. Plan a picnic everyone can enjoy. Swap potatoes with cauliflower and mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt to save some serious calories and carbohydrates. Be sure to make extra, as I guarantee this side dish is sure to be popular!

CAULIFLOWER “POTATO” SALAD

Serves: 5 All you need 1 lb cauliflower florets, chopped into ½ inch pieces, steamed and cooled 6 hard-boiled Hy-Vee large eggs, peeled and sliced ¼ cup dill pickle, finely chopped (or sub Hy-Vee dill relish) 1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped Salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup red onion, chopped ½ cup Hy-Vee nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1 tsp Hy-Vee Dijon mustard 1 ½ tsp dried dill 1 Tbsp pickle juice (or sub dill relish liquid) Paprika for garnish All you do Add cauliflower and eggs in a large bowl. Add pickle, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and red onion. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mustard, dill, pickle juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.Pour yogurt mixture over the cauliflower; toss gently to coat. Garnish with paprika. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 113 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 320 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 11 g protein

Connect virtually with Erin today at Hy-Vee.com/Health and follow her on Hy-Vee’s Healthy You series on HSTV.com for weekly meal and snack inspiration.