Business

Summer events, activities draw tourist crowds to Ames in July

Micaela Cashman
July 12, 2010

Ames may not be the top vacation destination in the Midwest, but the town does have its events and activities that draw visitors in.

Businesses are especially preparing for July, as many tourist attractions are taking place.

The Iowa Games kicked off Friday. The main weekend of the games is July 15-18, with the event concluding July 23-25.

The Iowa Games hosts 15,000 athletes from all over the state who participate in Olympic-style sports. Athletes are of all ages and abilities, with 54 team and individual events taking place.

The 38th Annual Iowa Shrine Bowl takes place at 5:00 p.m. July 24 at Jack Trice Stadium, with kickoff set at 7:00 p.m.

The Iowa Shrine Bowl is a competition for all-star pre-college football players from all over the state. Both teams combined have 92 players and a 60-member cheer squad.

Tickets sell for $10-$15, and all proceeds go to the Shriners Hospital for Children.

To kick off the event, the Iowa Shrine Bowl hosts a parade at 9:30 p.m. on Main Street. Those athletes and their families take over Ames, and businesses take advantage of the extra business with Red Carpet Coupons, available at the Ames Information Booth on University Boulevard. These coupons provide visitors with deals at businesses all across the area.

In addition to these classic athletic events, Ames hosts the Buick Club of America National Meet. This year, it takes place July 27-31.

The meet consists of a car show, vendor exhibits, corn boil and a hog roast. With a $10 entry fee, the Iowa State Center parking lots are open to all makes and models of vehicles to showcase.

Proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa.

Music events are also scheduled for July and August:

Tune In to Main Street

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Tom Evans Plaza

July 15 – Brewer Project

July 22 – Scott Davis Band

July 29 – Keith McCaulley and Friends

Ames Municipal Band

8 p.m. Thursdays at Bandshell Park

July 15 – Jive for Five

Ames on the Half Shell

5 p.m. Fridays at Bandshell Park