Things to do in Des Moines this weekend include Mother's Day, Bacon Fest, live music and more

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Get ready to celebrate all things mom this weekend for Mother's Day in Des Moines. The city offers book readings, two days of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, a play from University of Iowa grad Samuel Hunter, a skateboarding competition, live music and more. Grab happy hour with friends, make a floral bouquet for mom, or catch a brunch over the weekend. And if you haven't seen the Des Moines Register's new documentary about RAGBRAI, you can still catch it at the Varsity Cinema. Check out these things to do in Des Moines this weekend.

Hear a famous author read

Wednesday night: The Des Moines Public Library’s AViD series continues with novelist Emily St. John Mandel, who will discuss her genre-bending novels at Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines. The free event at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) includes St. John Mandel, author of award-winning novels such as “Station Eleven” and “Sea of Tranquility,” taking questions afterward and signing books. Beaverdale Books will sell her works on site.

See a soccer legend

Thursday afternoon: Two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who made history as the first Black goalkeeper to earn a cap for the U.S. Women's National Team, will be sharing her inspiring story and insights on leadership and resilience at Principal Financial Group, 711 High St. in Des Moines. The free event starts at 3 p.m. with Scurry sharing her story of overcoming obstacles, followed by a 4 p.m. book signing. The first 75 people will receive a copy of her book, “My Greatest Save.”

Have a happy hour with the prettiest girls in the world

Thursday afternoon: “The prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines.” So says Jack Kerouac in “On The Road.” Lest you forget, it hangs in pink neon at Hello, Marjorie, the cocktail lounge at 717 Locust St., Des Moines. Start happy hour here from 4 to 6 p.m. and nab a $7 Old Fashioned, $6 house vodka martini, or $5 Big Grove Easy Eddy IPA. Owner Nick Tillinghast named it for his stylish grandmother, who loved sloe gin cocktails.

Hear some live music and play lawn games

Thursday night: Spend your Thursday evening at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines, when Brother Trucker, the Americana roots/rock band based out of Des Moines, performs for the launch of the winery’s Summer Concert Series. Every Thursday, the winery brings free live music as well as burgers, brats, food trucks, and lawn games from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can bring blankets and chairs.

See the RAGBRAI documentary

Thursday evening: RAGBRAI, the Register’s annual bike ride across Iowa, turns 50 this summer, and the Des Moines Register’s Courtney Crowder and Kelsey Kremer filmed a documentary about the how riding this weeklong bike adventure can bring peace, redemption and clarity to participants. Take a look at a few of the people whose lives changed in “Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary.” The Varsity Theater, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, shows the 57-minute film at 7:45 and 9:15 p.m.

Eat some bacon, lots of bacon

Friday afternoon: “Bacon Makes Everything Better.” All things bacon get celebrated during the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 Grand Ave., Des Moines. The $45 general admission ticket includes two days of live entertainment and all the bacon samples you can eat. Food options include bacon pickle mac, a pork belly burnt ends sandwich, double bacon-wrapped corndog, bacon balls, bacon dumplings and more, all for an additional cost. Find a rock climbing wall, human foosball, ax throwing, and a golf simulator as well as a bacon queen. Head here from 4 to 10 p.m. and come back for more from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

See some new artwork

Friday night: Artists Jason Woodside and It's A Living (Ricardo Gonzalez) open their two-person exhibit at Moberg Gallery, 2411 Grand Ave., Des Moines, from 5 to 8 p.m. Woodside, who painted the mural at Ingersoll Avenue and 28th Street, returns to Des Moines with his exploration of geometrics and vibrant ocean-side colors. It's A Living visits for the first time with his portraits of hues and colors. Beverages and bites will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Watch a play from a University of Iowa grad

Friday night: Will needs a fresh start and makes the move from rural Idaho to Boise, looking for his child, now a teenager, he gave up for adoption. “A Bright New Boise” is from playwright Samuel Hunter, a graduate of the University of Iowa who won the Obie for best play in 2011. Hunter also wrote “The Whale,” which earned Brendan Fraser the Academy Award for Best Actor this year. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at the Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, start at $40. Also Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and next Wednesday through Sunday.

Catch some skateboarding action

Saturday morning: The Grind for Life Series from Skate DSM, a local nonprofit dedicated to making skateboarding fun and accessible to all, takes over Lauridsen Skatepark, 901 Second Ave., Des Moines. Up to 175 contestants compete in women's and men's competitions in Bowl, Street, Beginners, Intermediate, Masters, Open Advanced, and Adaptive. Fans can watch for free starting at 9:30 a.m. Head online for the full schedule.

Hear a symphonic ode to Rachmaninoff

Saturday night: Listen to the final performance of the season for the Des Moines Symphony in "Giunta Conducts Rachmaninoff," celebrating the composer’s 150th birthday at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez, a rising star of the classical music world, performs Rachmaninoff’s “Second Piano Concerto.” The concert begins with Anna Clyne’s mysterious “This Midnight Hour,” and ends with Rachmaninoff’s “Second Symphony.” Tickets range from $15 to $70. Also Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Make mom a star for brunch

Sunday morning: Take mom out for Mother’s Day at Star Bar, the cozy bar and restaurant with a killer burger at 2811 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. Eat dishes such as a Belgian waffle with berries, a three-egg omelet with ham and cheese, shrimp and cheese grits or sandwiches such as a Cuban or a breakfast Monte Cristo. Brunch takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pair your meal with a specialty martini or mule.

Make a flower bouquet for mom

Sunday afternoon: Celebrate Mother’s Day by creating a personalized petite bouquet of flowers for or with your mom. This drop-in style activity at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive in Des Moines, allows you to work at your own pace. Walk-up registration only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Available while supplies last. The price is $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Admission to the garden not included. You can also stop by the Spring Garden Festival to shop more than 350 varieties of plants Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to that is free as well.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best things to do this weekend in Des Moines: Bacon Fest, Mother's Day