Events in Ames today

New to the Runners United Nevada Race Series, this 5k trail run circles Hickory Grove Lake at Hickory Grove County Park. Participants can race, run, jog, or walk the chip-timed course while taking in quiet lakeside scenery. Proceeds support the Nevada High School Cross Country program. Entry options include a $35 tier with chip timing and a t-shirt for early registrants, or a $25 tier with chip timing only. Awards will be presented following the race.

Purple Ribbon Beef will be at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market with premium dry-aged beef and convenient pre-order pickup. The market showcases a growing mix of local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and handcrafted items from Iowa small businesses. Visitors can enjoy live music and free activities for kids while browsing, whether stocking the freezer or planning meals for the week.

Join the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market for a community day of local vendors and special entertainment. There will be joyful face painting along with the Ames Bookmobile, plus live music from Asphalt & Stained Glass. The market also features a Salsa Contest (sign-up is provided on the event page).

Crafters of all ages can gather with fellow fiber arts enthusiasts to work on personal projects. Knitting, crochet, embroidery, and other fiber crafts are all welcome. Please bring your own materials.

Sam’s Summer Tournament Series takes place at Sam’s Place in Ames, Iowa and features a double elimination pool tournament with cash prizes. Entry is $25 with a $5 green fee, and an optional $20 side pot is available. A Break and Run pot will be in play. Race lengths will be set based on turnout. Expect competitive play throughout the event, and the field welcomes participants of all skill levels.

Pinball enthusiasts can gather at Time Out for a monthly tournament featuring 6 to 8 rounds of match play in groups of 3 to 4 players. Prizes are awarded to first, second, and third place. As an IFPA event, there is a 1 dollar participation fee, and games are pay to play.

Catch Bronwyn for a live Americana and bluegrass show at Alluvial Brewing Company. The performance starts at 7:00 PM, and tickets are available through Bandsintown.

Excite Experiences is bringing a free, casual tour party to Ames to celebrate fifteen years. Attendees can meet the team, get an early look at the 2027 tour lineup, and connect with fellow travelers who share a love of exploration. The event highlights stories and memories from the past fifteen years along with what is coming next, plus giveaways, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and refreshments. The atmosphere is relaxed with no sales pitch, just conversation about great trips and inspiration for future adventures. Guests are welcome to invite a friend and arrive curious.

Music on the Porch brings live tunes to Evergreen Lane Historical Complex at Briggs Terrace, featuring JD's Trio with Deb, Steve, and Jack. Bring a chair or a blanket for comfortable seating and enjoy time with family and friends while taking in the performance.

Designed for ages 6 to 12, this camp delves into the pivotal role horses have played across history. Through hands-on projects, engaging stories, and meaningful time with ponies and horses, campers explore how these animals enabled travel, agriculture, communication, and everyday work, from the Pony Express to the working horses of the Wild West. Along the way, they build essential horsemanship skills while growing curiosity and confidence, and they develop a lasting appreciation for the equine world.

Skit Extravaganza Session A is a day camp focused on building basic acting and staging skills through games and crafts. At the end of the week, the group puts on a play made up of several skits. A family showcase is held on Friday at 11:30 AM.

Blast Back to School seeks volunteers to help pack backpacks at Ames Middle School. The event offers four shift options that cover set up, backpack packing, clean up, and an unloading shift at Nevada Elementary. It is a volunteer effort focused on preparing backpacks so students have what they need for the school year.

Enjoy a full hour of high-energy cardio dance with Jen, built around simple moves and upbeat music so you can sweat and clear your head without overthinking. No rhythm is required and there is no pressure to keep pace, just move in a way that feels right for you. Plus members participate at no cost, and non-members can drop in for $12 per class. Reserve a spot in the member app or stop by to learn more. Trying a single session can help you see if this class and community are a fit.

Touring musician Anna p.s. will take the stage after Jason Munday for an evening of live music. Enjoy consecutive sets, with Jason performing first and Anna p.s. following.

Step into Reiman Gardens’ Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing and experience a flurry of wings in a warm, tropical indoor garden. Participants can release butterflies themselves, choosing how many to let fly, with each butterfly provided in its own container. Before the release, participants learn a bit about their butterflies and the proper way to set them free. Each participant receives a certificate that includes their name and the species they released. A butterfly-themed craft will also be available for anyone who would like to add a creative activity to the experience.

Chrysalis Healing Center is offering a Walk-In Wednesday Clinic that provides targeted massage therapy for people seeking relief from discomfort, including those referred by a chiropractor or general practitioner. Care can address lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, migraines, athletic, dance, and student injuries, sciatic nerve issues, head, neck, and shoulder tension, and inflammation related to arthritis, among other concerns. Service is first come, first served. Each visit lasts 45 minutes with a 10 minute assessment, a 30 minute focused treatment, and a 5 minute checkout for $65. Sessions concentrate on specific areas rather than providing a full body treatment. Pre-payment for walk-in treatments is requested, and guests can secure a treatment time by visiting Chrysalis Healing Center.

Mah Jongg at Boone FLEX offers a relaxed way to connect with others over coffee, conversation, and friendly games in a casual community setting. All experience levels are welcome, from first timers to longtime players. Sessions take place on Wednesdays and Sundays. Participation is included with a Boone FLEX membership, and nonmembers may try a couple visits before joining the FLEX community. No registration is required. The group currently has one set available as it gets started, so seating may be limited, and bringing a personal set is appreciated. Those interested in helping lead or organize as the group grows can contact the organizers.

Join for drop-in pickleball where you can come and play during the scheduled time. It's a great low-pressure way to get on the court and enjoy the game with others.

A relaxed evening of sipping and shopping along Main Street brings participants together with AREA Young Professionals. The experience begins with a drink in the Laughlin Level at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, then continues with a casual walk to visit nearby businesses that are part of the outing. It offers refreshments and opportunities to connect with other young professionals in the community, whether the aim is networking, supporting local merchants, or simply enjoying a laid-back night out. Attendees can come with a friend, explore the shops, and turn it into a memorable evening.

Enjoy a gentle, low-impact yoga session that blends chair-supported and standing poses to build flexibility, balance, and strength while encouraging relaxation. This approachable format offers extra support and mindful movement for a comfortable practice. Plus members can participate at no cost, and non-members are welcome for $12 per class. A limited number of mats are available to borrow, and bringing a personal mat is recommended when possible. Reserve a spot through the member app or stop by to learn more.

Adopted ducks take the plunge at Furman Aquatic Center for the fourth annual scholarship derby, racing down the water slide and around the lazy river. Prizes go to the fastest finishers, with a 9-foot kayak, a kids mountain bike, cash prizes, and gift cards from local restaurants and businesses already in the mix. All proceeds support the Ames Parks & Recreation Scholarship Fund, helping make programs accessible across the community. Attendance is not required to win. Presented with support from Mucky Duck Pub as the presenting sponsor, along with Bike World and Crawdaddy Outdoors.

Join a friendly German conversation circle for casual chats in German. You can practice in your native language or use the chance to get comfortable speaking German. Both in-person and Zoom options are available, and the group meets in the Dale H. Ross Board Room.

Movies with Mainstream offers a monthly film screening paired with a related activity. Selections are curated with adults who are neurodivergent or have intellectual disabilities in mind, and attendees of all ages are welcome. Upcoming movie titles are shared by Ames Public Library. This program is presented in collaboration with Ames Public Library and Mainstream Living.

Children in kindergarten through 12th grade can sign up for a no-cost eye exam, with free prescription glasses provided when needed. Vision to Learn, a nonprofit that offers vision services at no charge, is presenting this program in partnership with Ames Public Library. No insurance is required. Appointments take place on set days, and if glasses are prescribed, a separate pickup visit will be scheduled. Registration is required, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Kids in 1st through 5th grade are invited to join the Library for an End of Summer Splash themed event at Bandshell Park. The fun will include lots of water games, finishing with a water balloon battle. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, and bring your own towel.

This week spotlights a Blue Ribbon Market theme as the Iowa State Fair gets underway. Look for live music at Bricktown Bakery and kids activities on the Nevada Public Library lawn while you browse a diverse range of vendors.

Pub Fiction 2026 transforms downtown Ames into a literary-themed pub crawl that raises funds for the Ames Public Library Foundation, supporting enhanced library programs for the community. The event begins with check-in at Ames Public Library, where participants receive their routes, enjoy snacks, and head out to the participating locations. Along the way, venues highlight book-inspired themes and offer drink specials for attendees. Costumes are encouraged, and dressing as a favorite literary character could earn a prize, while others can simply enjoy the creative looks. Updates about participating locations and a link to online ticket sales will be shared as they become available.

Feeling tight or a little out of balance? This guided stretching class with Kara focuses on mobility so you can move more comfortably. Expect work that supports flexibility, increases range of motion, boosts circulation, and eases everyday tension and aches. The goal is to help your body feel better during class and throughout daily life. Plus members attend for free, and non-members are welcome for $12 per class. A limited number of mats can be borrowed, though bringing your own is encouraged. Reserve a spot in the member app or stop by to learn more.

Everyday English is an adult ESL program focused on practical English for daily life, including useful phrases and conversation skills. Sessions are taught by a professional ESOL teacher with support from trained volunteers. Follow-up digital materials are available, and the class can be joined in person or online via Zoom depending on the session. Sign-in details are provided by library staff, and registration is required per the listing.