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Historic Drake mansion opens for rare tours

The 1896 Captain Nicholas and Emma Johnson House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Things to Do

A 130-year-old Drake neighborhood mansion, rarely open to the public, will host guided tours this weekend.State of play: The 1896 Captain Nicholas and Emma Johnson House is listed on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Register" data-vars-click-url="https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/cafe4083-fde8-41e7-9083-85a4a42e6aed" data-vars-content-id="5e885208-f2a5-4690-b7c4-522bf66727c2" data-vars-headline="Historic Drake mansion opens for rare tours" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/cafe4083-fde8-41e7-9083-85a4a42e6aed" target="_blank">National Register</a> of Historic Places.

Valley West Mall is finally sold

A lease with JC Penney is holding up redevelopment plans.

Business

After years of delays, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valley West Mall has finally sold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/valley-west-mall-housing-west-desmoines-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="9e20b598-e699-42eb-8e15-21cb57b61294" data-vars-headline="Valley West Mall is finally sold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/valley-west-mall-housing-west-desmoines-redevelopment" target="_self">Valley West Mall has finally sold</a>, though JCPenney&#x27;s longstanding lease could hold up redevelopment.Why it matters: The 58-acre site is in a popular traffic area ripe for commercial and residential development, but the empty, aging mall structure is a major impediment.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Des Moines

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="65ad868d-e4c0-4503-86ec-ebf96b0e6d9e" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Des Moines&#x27; East Village neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

After art fight, Des Moines' oldest park looks ahead

Residents will help shape Greenwood Park's long-term future.

News

After years of turmoil over a dismantled artwork and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a missing bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/26/greenwood-park-bridge-private-donor" data-vars-content-id="2c2144fb-1b9f-43f3-a2fd-12a794120775" data-vars-headline="After art fight, Des Moines&#x27; oldest park looks ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/08/26/greenwood-park-bridge-private-donor" target="_self">a missing bridge</a>, Des Moines is asking residents to help shape Greenwood Park&#x27;s next chapter through a yearlong planning process.Why it matters: The plan gives residents a chance to weigh in on the future of Des Moines&#x27; oldest park after years of contentious changes.

Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works

Sweet, salty and rich, this fair mashup is better than it sounds.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The PB &amp; J Corndog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iowastatefair.org/food/whats-new#:~:text=PB%20%26%20J%20Corndog,Corndog%20Stand)%20(%2410)" data-vars-content-id="c01b1aad-7722-4fa1-b7fb-af846f4a0da6" data-vars-headline="Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iowastatefair.org/food/whats-new#:~:text=PB%20%26%20J%20Corndog,Corndog%20Stand)%20(%2410)" target="_blank">The PB &amp; J Corndog</a> is what happens when your childhood lunchbox crashes into the Iowa State Fair — surprisingly good, wildly rich and sweet-salty in all the right ways.What it is: A corndog with peanut butter baked into the batter, topped with jelly and peanut butter. I tried the strawberry version.

Behold the 1,387-pound pumpkin that won the Iowa State Fair

The winner skipped summer vacations to tend to the pumpkin.

State Fair

<blockquote>I don&#x27;t do summer vacations. I don&#x27;t do anything. I go to work and I come home and tend to these.</blockquote><cite>— Pete Casper, winner of the 2026 Iowa State Fair giant pumpkin contest</cite>

My giant pumpkin is growing too large for my home

I'm growing a giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair.

Linh here. I&#x27;m growing a giant pumpkin named Hope to enter at the Iowa State Fair, and this weekend, I&#x27;m finally planting Hope (and Hope #2, just in case.) Why it matters: They are not happy with me.

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know

We're sampling the tastiest and the most unusual new foods.

Welcome to our 2025 deep-fried series!<ul><li>We&#x27;re sampling some of the most delicious (and brave the weirdest) of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="68 new Iowa State Fair foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="3fd1ebbb-2500-4e5b-950e-3124e4f75953" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">68 new Iowa State Fair foods</a> so you don&#x27;t have to — unless you like chaos in your stomach!</li></ul><figure><img alt="Two men in floral pastel shirts and one wearing a white cowboy hat smile while holding a plate of seafood in a room with a lobster painting, wine bottles, and a &quot;JR&#x27;S COWGIRL&quot; sign." height="2268" id="d9b2eb7e-5a10-4887-93fd-9f4dba4add92" src="https://images.axios.com/7-8aJjBVooNk2v2n3njtYAN0Rl4=/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/G_dmY895DT46IruukUqxF0r0jlA=/0x0:4032x2268/1920x1080/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/W9-tl3arok49l5we5zyPyTcxPTI=/0x0:4032x2268/1600x900/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/edWn34EoiQq9g_mlhGrLDt_gFv0=/0x0:4032x2268/1366x768/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/5mwONRlPf9zzttIhgUBiWbhLLT4=/0x0:4032x2268/1024x576/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/IVm_32WOtEkSnAePAUl5VMSZ1QQ=/0x0:4032x2268/768x432/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/WWV3j7Tt1cv9wmuikRwvo2y3b5o=/0x0:4032x2268/640x360/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/y5_iVBBEWEAWLbRqBAiTPBii-vo=/0x0:4032x2268/320x180/2025/08/07/1754598256601.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Jr&#x27;s South Pork Ranch CEO Brooks Reynolds (left) and chef Corey Hansen also offer a High Roller combo version, which includes two rolls and a bottle of Dom Pérignon for $600 — the most expensive food menu item in Iowa State Fair history. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios</figcaption></figure>

One new Iowa State Fair food to skip: Pickle lemonade

Our review of the new item, which cost $9 for the souvenir cup.

Pickle State Fair Lemonade has a splash of pickle juice and two pickle slices.<ul><li>It cost $9 for the souvenir cup.</li></ul>

We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll

For $600 you can get two rolls and a bottle of Dom Pérignon.

🦞 Jason here: Yes, I forked over $100 for a lobster roll, and fellow fairgoers, it&#x27;s worth every shiny penny!Why it matters: The High Roller Roll is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="68 new fair foods this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="fccb2773-fa81-4dbf-901f-70663c2dc558" data-vars-headline="We tried this over-the-top Iowa State Fair $100 lobster roll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">68 new fair foods this year</a>, highlighting what makes the Iowa State Fair special.<ul><li>It&#x27;s over-the-top fun food that tells a story and offers a chance to indulge in something you won&#x27;t find at your local Hy-Vee.</li></ul>

Iowa State Fair trash cleanup is a $520,000 lift

Cleaning up corndogs and cups is a $520K fairground feat.

From flattened Barksdale cookies to corndog sticks, trash cleanup is a complex, $520K operation at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="f432a218-8e90-4845-afac-48005642aa49" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair trash cleanup is a $520,000 lift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/best-new-iowa-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">Iowa State Fair</a>.Why it matters: No one wants to step on a cheese curd — and a team of contracted workers and student volunteers helps avoid that.

Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices

The 2023 fair had higher admission prices. It was also well attended.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iowa State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="804db539-7950-48a7-8220-0c294f32214a" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/state-fair" target="_self">Iowa State Fair</a> revenue jumped in 2023, thanks primarily to a $2 increase in ticket prices, according to a newly<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" released state audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77465.pdf" data-vars-content-id="804db539-7950-48a7-8220-0c294f32214a" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair 2023 revenue rose thanks to higher admission prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77465.pdf" target="_blank"> released state audit</a>.State of play: Higher admission prices, combined with great fair attendance, helped the 11-day event garner more revenue than 2022, Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons tells Axios.

Iowa State Fair temperatures are coolest in recent memory

After a year of extreme severe weather, the fair at least is experiencing some cool weather.

Des Moines has experienced some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pretty extreme weather events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/tornado-outbreak-iowa-wisconsin-missouri-midwest" data-vars-content-id="4d438506-517e-4c31-8e31-f1183fd86885" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair temperatures are coolest in recent memory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/21/tornado-outbreak-iowa-wisconsin-missouri-midwest" target="_self">pretty extreme weather events</a> this year, but our summer temperatures have remained fairly moderate, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.Why it matters: After getting pelted with hail, thunderstorms and tornadoes, it&#x27;s nice to walk outside and bask in some of the mildest Iowa State Fair temperatures in recent memory.

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know

We're giving you our honest fair food thoughts.

Welcome to our special series this week, where we give you our honest fair food thoughts and let you know if it&#x27;s &quot;fair&quot; for your money.First up: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candied bacon gnocchi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6dXS3fZHg&amp;t=27s" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6dXS3fZHg&amp;t=27s" target="_blank">candied bacon gnocchi</a> — a rich Alfredo sauce topped with herbs and parmesan cheese.<ul><li>The potato dumplings are gluten-free.</li></ul>Jason&#x27;s thought bubble: The sweet and salty bacon pairs nicely with the sauce.🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = ick; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Destination Grill, west of Jacobson Exhibition Center.What&#x27;s next: Check back here.<ul><li>We&#x27;ll post additional reviews of new foods in the coming days!</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Illusion Ice Cream</h2><figure><img alt="Strawberry sundae ice cream in a bowl" height="2268" id="52bc6037-3ae5-47ed-a6cc-0cc42205eb96" src="https://images.axios.com/jRItgooKWTAAi_Axuw4M6hxuiT4=/2024/08/15/1723744770230.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Illusion Ice Cream ($10). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Bauder&#x27;s Ice Cream is serving up &quot;Illusion Ice Cream&quot; ($10), which has a fun twist.<ul><li>Vanilla ice cream is served with a chocolate shell and warm strawberry syrup with a cherry on top.</li></ul>Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: This new sundae is a creamy delight. The warm syrup breaks down the thick chocolate shell, so it wraps around the ice cream.<ul><li>It tastes like the frozen version of those old-school chocolate-covered cherries. Ask to see a demo!</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: One stick = meh. Five = don&#x27;t miss it.<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Bauder&#x27;s Ice Cream, southwest of Agriculture Building<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Deep-fried Hot Cheeto Pretzel</h2><figure><img alt="Hot cheeto pretzel on a paper plate" height="2268" id="c657b369-2a28-4959-b282-483611182453" src="https://images.axios.com/RsXYd8gWMoSEmF05V6PZQhmBFs0=/2024/08/14/1723654606517.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Hot cheeto pretzel ($8). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Hot Cheetos are all the rage at the Iowa State Fair, including this fried pretzel smothered with nacho cheese and Flamin&#x27; Hot Cheeto crumbles ($8).Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: It looked like something made by Cheech &amp; Chong.<ul><li>By that, I mean it tastes like somebody went to a gas station late at night, grabbed a stale pretzel and drenched it with whatever they could find.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: One stick = meh. Five = don&#x27;t miss it.<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈</li></ul>Try it: Smith&#x27;s, east of Riley Stage and south of the Administration Building.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Apple fries</h2><figure><img alt="A photo of Apple Fries." height="2152" id="b6b5182a-edec-4235-bd11-4c2b64d46bc8" src="https://images.axios.com/B1R20ZbrPPDmrlNQ8J0rEvPJtM8=/2024/08/12/1723462686375.jpg" width="3826"/><figcaption>Apples fries ($7) are sold at two Applishus stands. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios</figcaption></figure>Apple Fries are true to their name: deep-fried fruit sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.<ul><li>They come with a side of caramel dipping sauce.</li></ul>💬 Jason&#x27;s thought bubble: The dish is like warm pie.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a perfect fair-inspired dessert.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = ick; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: Applishus, on the main floor of the Agriculture Building or at the east canopy of the Varied Industries Building.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Deep-fried bubble gum</h2><figure><img alt="two deep-fried bubble gum" height="2268" id="8c05816d-5c84-49be-b6ce-1aed66abf4d8" src="https://images.axios.com/jvynAQDZtcAGz1-c07CcYU5QOwg=/2024/08/13/1723559159137.jpg" width="4032"/><figcaption>Deep-fried bubble gum from Bubbly ($10). Photo: Linh Ta/Axios</figcaption></figure>Linh here. When I saw the list of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new fair foods" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Rlcy1tb2luZXMvMjAyNC8wNy8xNi9pb3dhLXN0YXRlLWZhaXItMjAyNC1uZXctZm9vZHMtcmV2aWV3P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVzbW9pbmVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cBf13096de" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2Rlcy1tb2luZXMvMjAyNC8wNy8xNi9pb3dhLXN0YXRlLWZhaXItMjAyNC1uZXctZm9vZHMtcmV2aWV3P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGVzbW9pbmVzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cBf13096de" target="_self">new fair foods</a>, I was instantly intrigued by the deep-fried bubble gum from Bubbly.<ul><li>In my head, I imagined a wad of Dubble Bubble, greasy and fried.</li></ul>State of play: I&#x27;m happy to say, the dessert concoction doesn&#x27;t involve any oily gum wads.What it is: A fluffy, marshmallow bite dipped in bubble-gum funnel cake batter, fried and with a sweet drizzle.Linh&#x27;s thought bubble: This is a fun, creative take on gum that isn&#x27;t overly sweet.<ul><li>The marshmallow fluff mimics the stickiness of gum, while the actual bubble gum taste is light.</li></ul>🧈 Butter ranking: one stick = meh; five = don&#x27;t miss it<ul><li>Aesthetics: 🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Creativity: 🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈</li><li>Overall taste: 🧈🧈🧈🧈</li></ul>Try it: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bubbly" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnViYmx5YmFyaXNmLmNvbS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kZXNtb2luZXMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cB08866b20" data-vars-content-id="d8f227eb-bf4b-4b26-82ab-02df7fbc2ce8" data-vars-headline="Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2024: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/36390049.1079/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnViYmx5YmFyaXNmLmNvbS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kZXNtb2luZXMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/5fa45e0e9a1f1c38682b6d7cB08866b20" target="_self">Bubbly</a>, up by Grandfather&#x27;s Barn at the top of the hill

State Fair

Peanut butter and jelly on an Iowa State Fair corndog? It works

Behold the 1,387-pound pumpkin that won the Iowa State Fair

My giant pumpkin is growing too large for my home

💵 By the numbers: Iowa State Fair's economic draw

Iowa State Fair new food reviews 2025: What you need to know