Ames, Set, Go!

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

May 12, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

While Friday night fun awaits us downtown
Students are cramming in the finals week beat down
Don't get irrate
We think you're doing great
Those summer months are a worthwhile crown

(My first limerick since… high school, I think.) Besides 515 Day, there is also an Ames Chamber Artists concert, some feelgood funk and the weekly offerings of the Main Street Farmers’ Market.

Weekly outdoor concerts and that Ames summer vibe are right around the corner.


Anthony Capps, Editor
[email protected]

Event Spotlight

515 Day (Photo: Ames Regional Economic Alliance)

Outdoors

515 Day

4 to 8 p.m. Friday | Main Street

Join for a fun filled night of live music, a food truck showdown and family friendly activities. Closed off for the event will be 5th Street from Burnett to Douglas Avenues, Douglas Avenue from Main to 5th Streets and Kellogg Avenue from the alley to 5th Street and Burnet Avenue from the alley to 5th Street.

 

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Calendar of Events

Wednesday, May 13

🎨 Art Walk: Patterson Hall (Veterinary Medicine)
3:10 p.m. | Patterson Hall
From playful pups to majestic livestock, discover how artists bring veterinary stories to life. Stroll with us through the Veterinary College’s public art in Patterson Hall and celebrate the creatures that inspire and shape the profession. Explore sculptures, murals and installations that capture the care, curiosity and compassion at the heart of working with animals.
FREE

 

🎥 Fried Green Tomatoes
3 p.m. | Movies 12
Evelyn (Kathy Bates), an ordinary housewife, visits a nursing home and befriends the old lady Ninny (Jessica Tandy). Together, they bond over stories from the past about two intrepid women of the Whistle Stop Café.
$11.50

Thursday, May 14

🎤 Pert Near Sandstone w/ The Shandies
7 p.m. | Alluvial Brewing
Formed by old friends within the vibrant Minneapolis music scene, the members of Pert Near Sandstone have been tireless stewards of the midwestern roots music community for over two decades. The Shandies — married couple Shannon Stine and Natalie Wlodarczyk — are a female folk rock duo who have become a staple of the vibrant local music scene in Springfield, Mo., since they formed in 2016.
$15+

Friday, May 15

🎶 Across the Water
7:30 p.m. | Collegiate Presbyterian Church
A concert from Ames Chamber Artists featuring traditional and contemporary folk music from Ireland and its influence in America. Presented in partnership with renowned Irish tenor Michael Londra, who stars in the PBS series Ireland with Michael.
$15 general, $12 seniors, $20 livestream

 

🎤 Funky Delicacies w/ DJ Keith Rich
9 p.m. | London Underground
DJ Keith Rich returns to London for an evening of meticulously curated beats, grooves and feelgood funk. Dance the night away, sing along or just bump along in your chair to a night of great tunes.

Saturday, May 16

🌽 Main Street Farmers Market
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Main Street
This week’s entertainment highlights are Meyer’s pony rides and music by Doomed Pioneers.

Sunday, May 17

🥳 Good Neighbor's Annual Block Party
4 p.m. | Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, 613 Clark Ave.
Everyone is invited to Good Neighbor's 4th Annual Block Party. Enjoy some pizza, cookies, drinks, games for the kids and some great local music as well as support Good Neighbor. This is a family-friendly event and all ages are welcome.
FREE

Upcoming events on our radar

🏃 May 19: Ames Athletes Who Made it to the Big Time, Ames Public Library
🎥 May 24 & 27: Legally Blonde 25th Anniversary, Movies 12
🎤 May 29: Ames on the Half Shell: Burnin’ Sensations, Bandshell Park
🎶 May 31: Across the Water, Alluvial Brewing
🎤 June 7: Roosevelt Summer Sundays: Weary Ramblers, Roosevelt Park
🎨 June 11: Art Walk, downtown Ames
🎭 June 11-28: Footloose, Ames Community Theater

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