Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Des Moines

Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Des Moines

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the official first day of summer.  The summer solstice is celebrated worldwide with feasts and festivals. It is a time to give thanks to the natural world, re-connect to nature, and host a summer party.  Here’s a few ways you can celebrate the solstice and take advantage of the extra hours of daylight in Des Moines. 

Enjoy the bounty of the season.

What better way to celebrate the summer solstice than with a trip to the farmers’ market?  Stock up with fresh produce and then make a midsummer’s feast at home.  Several markets are open this evening in Altoona, the Drake Neighborhood, Grimes and Waukee.  For a complete list of Des Moines area farmers’ markets click here.

Gather round the campfire.

Fire plays a very prominent role in many summer solstice celebrations around the world.  Join Warren County Conservation for an educational nature program around the campfire, including Storytime and S’mores. This is a FREE event which will be held in the Lester Davidson Memorial Pavilion behind the Annett Nature Center. Registration is required.

Take a twilight swim.

Start summer off right with a twilight swim.  It’s Family Night at Valley View Aquatic Center, admission is $12 per family starting at 6:30 pm.  Veteran’s Memorial Aquatic Center in Indianola is hosting Open Swim Night tonight.  The aquatic center closes at 7:00 PM, then reopens from 7:30 to 9:00 pm for evening swimming. All ages welcome.

Be one with nature.

Celebrate this year’s longest day, and shortest night with Dallas County Conservation naturalists at Hanging Rock during their Summer Solstice Celebration. The evening’s festivities will include drumming and a song while viewing the sunset from Hanging Rock’s astronomical clock, a campfire with stories, a night hike illuminated by lightning bugs down to the river, and stargazing under a solstice sky.

Watch the sunset.

See off the longest day of the year by watching the sunset. Sunset in Des Moines will be at about 8:52 pm today.  Head to a local park or nature area for some fresh air.  Hear the birds chirping and trees rustling while you watch the fiery hues disperse across the sky and perhaps even camp for the night. Check out our article for ideas about family camping spots in Central Iowa.

 

How does your family celebrate the summer solstice?