Things to do in Des Moines for Memorial Day weekend, including CelebrAsian and a Shrek Rave

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Welcome to Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to summer in the Des Moines area. The weekend promises chamber of commerce weather for an opportunity to get outdoors. Try a farmers market in Polk City, eat pizza at a winery or just listen to a free live show. For some kid-friendly ideas, try different dishes and listen to great music during the CelebrAsian festival, or catch the final days of the Wild Lights Festival at Blank Park Zoo. Check out these things to do in Des Moines this weekend.

Hear Jack Carr talk about his James Reece series

Wednesday night: Military thriller novelist Jack Carr, who is a former Navy SEAL and creator of the popular James Reece series, heads to the Des Moines Public Library’s Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series to talk about his new bestseller, "Only the Dead." You probably know Carr from his debut novel, 2018’s "The Terminal List," which was adapted into the 2022 Amazon Prime Video series starring Chris Pratt as Navy SEAL James Reece. In lieu of a book signing, attendees will have the opportunity to enter a photo line after the program to have a professional photo taken with the author. Signed copies of "Only the Dead" will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Beaverdale Books. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the free event that includes a discussion of his books, his military past, and more at Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave. in Des Moines.

Pick up some produce at a farmers market

Thursday afternoon: Get ready for the holiday weekend by picking up some fresh produce and baked goods at the Polk City Farmers Market. Shoppers can find arts and crafts, clothing, plants and more, as well as a free musical performance in the historic bandstand. Head to the town square, 107 S. Third St., Polk City, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Soak in some Asian culture

Friday afternoon: The Iowa Asian Alliance rolls out a cornucopia of flavors when CelebrAsian returns. Head to 1205 Locust St. in Des Moines from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (and Saturday too) to taste cuisine from China, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, Laos, India, Cambodia and more. Stop by the free festival (food and drink cost money, though) at 4 p.m. for Joemari Felarca from Season 2 of “I Can See Your Voice,” ukulele specialist Andrew Hoyt at 4:30 p.m., or the Des Moines Breakerz at 7:30 p.m. among the roster of entertainment.

More: Memorial Day 2023 events recognizing fallen servicemembers in central Iowa

See the Wild Lights Festival

Friday night: Grab the kids and see giant pandas, an enormous octopus, cheerful sunflowers and big bumblebees at the Blank Park Zoo's Wild Lights Festival. The event features 50 handmade, larger-than-life, illuminated, animal-shaped lanterns including a 75-foot-long sunflower tunnel and a giant 33-foot-wide octopus from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets for the festival at 7401 SW Ninth St., Des Moines, range from $19 to $25 online. Also takes place Wednesdays through Saturdays through May 29.

Eat pizza and drink wine

Friday night: Get out into the country. Snag $2 off wines and a wood-fired pizza at Madison County Winery, 3021 St. Charles Road in St. Charles during happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Pizza is served from 5 to 8 p.m. and the tasting room stays open until 10 p.m.

Go to a rave with Shrek

Saturday night: Do you need to know more than there’s a Shrek Rave at Wooly’s? Expect crazy Shrek performers, "I'm A Believer" singalongs, Shrek visuals, Shrek giveaways and Shrek-themed drinks. Yes, you should come dressed as your favorite Shrek character. The East Village music venue at 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines gets the party going at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

See CeeLo Green perform

Saturday night: Kick off summer early at Adventureland Park this Memorial Day weekend. The Altoona theme park is making an even bigger splash for the holiday weekend with a special concert featuring Atlanta's own singer, songwriter and hip-hop artist CeeLo Green. The five-time Grammy Award-winning entertainer and former coach on NBC's "The Voice" will perform at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the concert is included with a ticket to the park that day. The singer is probably best known for his single with Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy," and his solo single "F--- You."

More: Where to go and what to know for Adventureland Park's 2023 season, including two new rides

Go Southern with brunch at Bubba

Sunday morning: Don a straw hat, a seersucker suit and a bow tie and drop by Bubba (200 10th St., Des Moines) for brunch with a Southern flair on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dig into dishes such as chicken and waffles; a smothered skillet with hash browns topped with two eggs, sausage crumbles, and country gravy; or a mashed potato bomb with bacon, white cheddar cheese and gravy, topped with an over-easy egg. Order white cheddar grits or a cinnamon roll on the side, or just go for deviled eggs or a stack of apple-cinnamon silver dollar buckwheat pancakes to share.

More: 19 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A

Laze away the day with a free concert and wine

Sunday afternoon: Dick Danger Band takes over Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax St. in Indianola from 2 to 5 p.m. for a free concert. Weather permitting, the concert takes place outside. The funky six-piece band plays Top 40 and R&B.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do for Memorial Day weekend in Des Moines: CelebrAsian