Over the years, the Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival has experienced hot weather, humid weather, threats of rain and one total washout.

If ever there was a perfect night, it was Saturday, July 11th for the Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival, 2026 edition.

Thousands of neighbors gathered under the trees at Tower Park for music, an assortment of food trucks, libations from Confluence Brewing and a relaxed evening to forget about your woes for a while.

Organized by volunteers from the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association, the festival offered a main stage with multiple acts, and a side stage to provide music while acts rotated in and out of the main stage.

The crowd arrived early for the first musical act at 2:30 and grew throughout the afternoon, with the sun ultimately setting as the lights came up on the Hazen Water Tower, serving as a backdrop for the festival.

Business was brisk at the BNA tent, where a variety of clothing and beer glasses were on sale. If you missed out, the new clothing lines are available at our website.

The BNA would like to thank the many volunteers who work hard all year to organize the festival, particularly the bluegrass committee, shown here from left to right Jesse Coleman, Nick Mertes, Kate Ross and Eric Quiner. They’re the team that obtains the sponsors, lines up the musical acts and literally and physically sets up and tears down the event. It’s a ton of work, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.

Thanks also to the event sponsors. Admission is free, so it could not happen without the generous sponsors who help pay for the stage, the bands, security, the sound system and the lights. Proceeds from beer sales go to the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association to continue its work to make Beaverdale the best neighborhood in Des Moines.

Pictures below courtesy of Tana Potter, Des Moines Digital Productions and Kate Ross.

Finally, thanks to all the neighbors who came out to enjoy the afternoon and evening. We hope you enjoyed it. If you’re not yet a BNA member, please join us and support your neighborhood. Individual memberships are a mere $20 per year.

See you next year!