This year’s Raccoon River Palooza will showcase the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as the headlining band.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a nostalgic trip back to the start of rock and roll, with a strict adherence to the 1950-1969 time frame. A trip back to when songs were tossed back and forth by artists, and one night could find Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis all on the same stage. An experience of the birth of rock music, with over 50 songs from a time before music started its electronic shift. Their repertoire is ever-growing and assures you’ll be twisting all night long with their modern twist that continues to be true to the original sound. Like the king himself said, “Rock and Roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it”.

Main Stage Schedule of Events

8:00 AM – Morning Yoga led by GYMGUYZ.

• • First 25 participants receive a complimentary coffee from Freedom Blend Coffee at the event.
  • Please bring your own mat and equipment.

9:00 AM – Official Palooza Welcome & Opening Remarks

• • Katherine Harrington, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
  • Laura Murphy, City of West Des Moines
  • Chandler Steffy, Superstorm Roofing & Siding
  • Sharon Miller, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa

11:00 AM – Palooza Announcements

• • Jessica McCombs, Explore WDM Committee Chair
  • Chandler Steffy, Superstorm Roofing & Siding
  • Sharon Miller, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa

11:15 AM – Live Music by Brian Congdon

1:15 PM – Sandcastle Building Awards Ceremony

• • Natalie Lyons, Explore WDM Committee Member

3:00 PM – Wagner Summer Theater Performance

3:45 PM – Cardboard Boat Races Awards Ceremony

• • Katherine Harrington, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
  • Chandler Steffy, Superstorm Roofing & Siding
  • Cardboard Boat Races Judging Committee

4:00 PM – Palooza Announcements

• • Katherine Harrington, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
  • Chandler Steffy, Superstorm Roofing & Siding

Sharon Miller, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa

6:00 PM – Live Music by Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

A full selection of alcoholic beverages will be available on hand for purchase for those 21 and older. Please bring a valid form of ID. Do not drink and drive. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase. 

All patrons, volunteers, and employees are expected to comply fully with all laws (including laws prohibiting the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol), and to take safety precautions including arranging for a designated, sober driver. By attending Racoon River Palooza, I agree that any alcoholic beverages I consume are my own choice and responsibility. I agree to drink responsibility. I acknowledge that I alone am responsible for all of my actions resulting from consuming alcohol and the West Des Moines Chamber and City of West Des Moines is in no way responsible.

Get ready to set sail into summer fun with our cardboard boat races on June 8!  It’s more than just a race; it’s a creative carnival on water! Gather your friends, family, or team and channel your inner shipwright—crafting boats from everyday cardboard found at your local grocery, appliance, furniture, hardware, or big ‘box’ stores. Embrace the whimsy with wild themes and zany costumes. Let’s see who can dazzle us with their daring designs. Come on, West Des Moines, let’s make a splash and craft some memories!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Awards include:

FASTEST BOAT: First boat to cross the finish line – if we have several entries, we will have several races (heats).

MOST CREATIVE: Awarded by judges based on creativity, showmanship, and team spirit – costumes & props are encouraged!

BEST CORPORATE BOAT: Show your company spirit and let’s see who shines the best!

WEST DES MOINES SPIRIT AWARD: What is the best way to show off how much you love WDM?

TEAM SPIRIT AWARD: What is the team you like best? Maybe it’s the Cubs, Valley Tigers, or your alma matter?

THE TITANIC AWARD: Who’s boat is the most spectacular at sinking!

2024 Boat Race Judges

• Chris Keyt | Office Manager – Superstorm Roofing & Siding
• Chris Nelson | Building Team Leader – Shive-Hattery
• Tina Mowry Hadden – 2023 WDM Citizen of the Year
• Greg Hudson – City Councilman City of West Des Moines
• Craig Schneider – NCMIC
• Britton Klomstad – SVN Create

Cardboard Boat Races Schedule

• 12:00pm-1:30pm – boats required to check in
• 12:00pm-1:30pm – Judges to inspect boats on the beach
• 2:00pm – boat races to start
• 3:30pm – award presentation on stage

Photo from the 2021 Raccoon River Rally where the judges enjoyed a photo opportunity and presented a $4,200 check that helps to support the Athene Pedestrian Bridge at Raccoon River Park

Stilwell Junior High students built and raced in the 2021 Raccoon River Rally cardboard boat race. Check out the creativity and fun students and staff experienced by participating in this community event by viewing the video below.

We’re excited to feature several local Food Trucks at this year’s Raccoon River Palooza:

• Fredom Blend Coffee
• Hotsy Totsy

• Harrington’s Dining Car
• Hot Off the Presses
• Hotsy Totsy
• Karam’s Grill
• Roadside Tacos
• The Outside Scoop

The Family Fun Zone is presented by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa.

Below are just a few exciting activities for everyone to enjoy on June 8:

• Sabba Circle
• Face painting
• Balloon artist
• Tattoo artist
• Giant inflatables
• Games
• Sand Castle Contest
• Touch-A-Truck
• Bike Rodeo
• Mascot Appearances
• And More!

Additional activities available on June 8 outside of those offerred at the Raccoon River Palooza:

• Cops N’ Bobbers: 9am-11am – Learn More
  • Located at WDM City Campus Pond, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway
• Complimentary Boat Rentals: 9am
  • Available at the Raccoon River Park Boathouse
• Face Painting is from 9am-12pm
• Sabba Circle:  9:30am-11am.

We are excited to showcase some of the coolest companies and organizations at the Raccoon River Palooza. Business Expo Participants:

• AT&T
• Dupaco Credit Union
• GoMobile Tires
• GYMGUYZ
• Iowa Back Pain Center
• Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy
• Mad City Windows & Bath
• Optimum Chiropractic
• Prevent Child Abuse Iowa
• Raccoon River Kennels
• Renewal by Andersen
• Spare Time Entertainment
• Superstorm Restoration
• The Cunningham
• Veridian Credit Union
• Your CBD Store Valley Junction

Support the Raccoon River Palooza as a volunteer!

Email info@wdmchamber.org for more information.

• 8:00AM – Event Begins
  • Mindful Morning: Yoga & Stretch in the Park
    • Bring your own mat, towel, and equipment and start your morning with an accessible class led by GYMGUYZ.
    • First 25 to arrive will receive a voucher to redeeem for a complimentary cup of coffee from Freedom Blend Coffee.
  • Business Expo Opens
• 9:00AM
  • Family Fun Zone Opens
  • Passport Locations Open
  • Bike Rodeo Begins
  • Touch-A-Truck Begins
  • Free Boat Rentals at Raccoon River Park Boathouse
  • Food Truck Group #1 Begins (Breakfast/Coffee)

• 10:00AM
  • Mascots Arrive
  • Alcohol Sales Open

• 11:00AM
  • Mascots Depart
  • Food Truck Group #1 Concludes (Breakfast/Coffee)
  • Food Truck Group #2 begins (Lunch/Dinner)
  • Castle Building Starts
  • Touch-A-Truck Concludes

• 1:00PM
  • Castle Judging Starts
  • Awards at 1:30PM

• 2:00pm
  • Boat Races Starts
  • Awards at 3:30PM

• 4:00PM
  • Family Fun Zone Concludes/Passport Ends
  • Cornhole Zone Opens

• 6:00PM
  • Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Performs
  • Business Expo Ends

• 8:00PM
  • Event Concludes, See You Next Year!