A food truck throwdown, an evening Farmer's Market, and a rocking Bandshell concert are a few of the highlights of this year's 515 Days in Ames.
The fourth annual festival has grown substantially since its inception in 2021, offering plenty for every family member to enjoy.
Other highlights of the fourth annual festival, which runs Wednesday, May 15 (5/15) through Friday, May 17 include music by Jake Doty and the Punching Pandas, family night activities, and many 515-themed downtown business promotions.
Farmers’ market, food truck contest are Wednesday
Downtown Ames’ 515 Days begins with a pair of popular events at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Jake Doty will perform live music for the Ames Chamber of Commerce's new endeavor, “Ames After Sundown Live Music Series.”
The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market will be open for a rare nighttime market, accompanied by a food truck showdown and a beer garden.
The three-pronged Ames After Sundown Series will be held two more times in the spring, with future events planned for Campustown on May 30 and at North Grand Mall on June 12.
On Wednesday night, visitors can also vote for their favorite food truck and the Ames Chamber of Commerce will announce the winner.
Fifth Street will be closed from Burnett Avenue to Douglas Avenue, and Kellogg Avenue will be closed between Fifth and Main while the event lasts. The event lasts until 8 p.m.
What food trucks are competing in the showdown?
The food trucks competing on Wednesday night will include:
Thursday is Family Night
Family Night commences at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Downtown Ames will offer a variety of family-friendly activities from 5-8 p.m. May 16, and participating restaurants will offer specials for the entire family.
Businesses offering activities include:
- Oak Lane Candle Co., 121 Main St. — Kids are welcome at the Pour Bar.
- Dog-Eared Books, 203 Main St. — Giving away paw print suckers and coloring sheets while supplies last.
- Marmalade Moon, 207 Main St. — Free toppings on all ice cream cups.
- Homegrown, 218 Main St. — Kids are invited in to add their handprint to the in-store “We are Iowa” flower mural.
- Moorman Clothiers, 226 Main St. — Open until 7 p.m.
- Chocolaterie Stam, 230 Main St. — Bag of 15 solid chocolate medallions for $5.15.
- Worldly Goods, 233 Main St. — Partnering with Octagon Art Center to host a dance workshop in their dance space on Injury Prevention for Dancers. International artist, Rukmini Vijayakumar, will be the instructor this workshop.
- Duck Worth Wearing, 232 Main St. — Face painter.
- Nook & Nest, 301 Main St. — Create your own postcard.
- Z.W. Mercantile, 301 Main Street — Activity TBD.
- Life Distilled, 301 Main St. — Activity on the sidewalk patio in front of the store.
- Cooks’ Emporium, 313 Main St. — Free snack while you shop and Olivelle tasting table.
- 313 Bar & Lounge, 115 Fifth St. — $5.15 of every order over $25 will be donated to the Ames Bears Youth Football Program. Free chili cheese fries available for all children under 12.
- Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave. — Octagon’s first patio party of the season begins at 5:30 p.m., featuring live music and refreshments.
- Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave. — Baby Time at 6 p.m. and a special Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.
- First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave. — The church will have giant yard games to play, sidewalk chalk for making art work, and refreshments.
Friday's Big 515 Bash
The "Big Bash" will close out this year's 515 Days on Friday with Punching Pandas as the headliner. The musical performance will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bandshell Park just off Duff Avenue.
A beer garden and food trucks will be available during the concert.
The winner of a $515 giveaway will also be announced by the presenting sponsor, First National Bank, at 6 p.m. before the concert starts. Entrants must be present to win.
Food trucks and the beer garden will open at 5:30 p.m.
What are the business specials available during 515 Days?
- Oak Lane Candle Co., 121 Main St. — 15% off.
- Dog-Eared Books, 203 Main St. — From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, authors will be signing books at the store’s front tables. Joe Geha will be signing his book, “Kitchen Arabic,” and Shannon Evans will be signing her books, “Rewilding Motherhood” and “Feminist Prayers for My Daughter.” At 7 p.m. Thursday, the bookstore will host a special Cocktails & Conversations with Megan Bannister, author of “Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.” Tickets are available at https://dogearedbooksames.com/author-series-cocktails-convos/ and include a copy of the book.
- Marmalade Moon, 207 Main St. — Buy five bags of candy, get one for 5 cents.
- Heroic Hair, 209 Main St. — Buy one retail product, get a free mini hempz lotion.
- Emerhoff’s Footwear, 215 Main St. — 20% off all shoes, sandals and purses.
- Treats On A Leash, 216 Main St. — Buy any five or more items (pet food excluded), get 15% off your order.
- Homegrown, 218 Main St. — Homegrown Grand Opening on 5/15 and buy five items and get 15% off.
- Moorman Clothiers, 226 Main St. — 15% off all Iowa State apparel.
- Chocolaterie Stam, 230 Main St. — Bag of 15 solid chocolate medallions for $5.15.
- Worldly Goods, 233 Main St. — “Buy five and get 15% off” on regular-priced items.
- Duck Worth Wearing, 232 Main St. — Buy five items get 15% off.
- The Loft Resale, 233 Main St. — Buy five items get 15% off.
- Nook & Nest, 301 Main St. — Buy five Cards, sixth one is free.
- Z.W. Mercantile, 301 Main St. — 5.15% off your entire purchase.
- Life Distilled, 301 Main St. — $5.15 off a purchase of $51.50 or more.
- Cooks’ Emporium, 313 Main St. — Buy five bottles of Olivelle and get 15% off.
- Ames British Foods, 328 Main St. — Purchase $25 or more and receive anywhere from 5-15% off your purchase.
- Everts Flowers Home & Gifts, 329 Main St. — On Wednesday, the special is 20% off regular-priced items. This excludes fresh plants, fresh flowers, and clearance items.
- Cornbred, 526 Main St. — $5.15 off a purchase of $30 or more if they show a receipt from any downtown shopping purchase.
- 313 Bar & Lounge, 115 Fifth St. — $5.15 off all orders over $25.
- American Country Home Store, 210 Fifth St. — 15% off storewide sale.
- TS Bank, 402 Lincoln Way — TS Bank will be running a CD special for this event, offering 5.15% APY on a 12-month CD.
- Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave. — Art sale is May 13 to May 15. This unique event will allow patrons to view and purchase items from the Octagon which have never before been featured in the Octagon Shop. On Wednesday evening, the community is invited to help prepare for our summer patio parties by painting the patio. All supplies will be provided — you bring the creativity.
- Torrent Brewing Company, 504 Burnett Ave. — BOGO pints each day. New beer each day for specials.
- Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave. — Spend $15 in the library’s Literary Grounds used book store and get a $5 gift card for a future purchase.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
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