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The Week in Social 3/22 - 3/26

The Week in Social rounds up the best of Iowa’s uplifting stories, exciting initiatives and fun events from all 99 counties discovered through social media. In a time where every bit of good news is cherished, this series is devoted to being a fun, lighthearted way to stay informed about Iowa’s good news.


From May 20–23, Des Moines’ new Lauridsen Skate Park will play host to Mountain Dew® and Accelerate360’s ASN: The Adventure Sports Network Group’s Dew Tour skateboard competition and festival.

Lauridsen Skate Park is the nation’s largest skatepark and will serve as the only U.S.-based global Olympic skateboard qualifying event in 2021. A combination of entities including Polk County, Catch Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Skate DSM and Subsect teamed up to make the Lauridsen project a reality. The 88,000-square-foot attraction is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines and will showcase thrilling features such as a promenade, flow bowl, amoeba pool, snake run, and a skateable art piece entitled WOW.

“Excited is an understatement for how I feel about the Dew Tour coming to Des Moines,” says Angela Connolly, Polk County Board of Supervisors, which manages the Lauridsen Skatepark. “This event is exactly why we made sure that the Lauridsen Skatepark was going to be the biggest in the country. Having the Dew Tour as a partner in opening our brand new skatepark is a true honor, and we look forward to them bringing professional skaters and fans to Des Moines to not only help showcase our park but to engage the youth in our community who are so excited to get out there and skate.”


Dan Levy, an Emmy® winning writer, actor, director and producer best known for his work on the beloved comedy “Schitt’s Creek,” will be a guest lecturer with the University Lecture Committee on April 9 at 9 p.m.

Comprised of The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and The University of Northern Iowa, the University Lecture Committee has brought some of the world’s great thinkers to give thought-provoking lectures at the University of Iowa campus for more than 30 years.


Surprise! The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout in four community ponds across the state. This effort was completed as part of Iowa DNR’s cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer.

Anglers can find the trout at Banner Lake South in Indianola, Big Lake in Council Bluffs, Moorland Pond in Fort Dodge and Terra Lake in Johnston. For more information on license requirements, tips to catch trout and more, visit here.


The International Softball Congress (ISC) is heading to the Quad Cities for the 75th Annual ISC Men’s Fastball World Tournament in August.

ISC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting men’s and youth fastpitch softball throughout North America. The milestone 75th World Tournament was originally going to be held in Kitchener, Ontario, but due to travel concerns related to COVID-19, was moved to Sheridan Meadows Park in Eldridge, Iowa.

“While visiting the Quad Cities with two ISC Executive Commissioners earlier this year, we witnessed how extremely excited Visit Quad Cities and the team in Eldridge were at the opportunity to host our World Tournament,” said ISC Executive Director Larry Fisher. “ISC has so much confidence in Visit Quad Cities, and after being assured of the timeline for the field improvements, feeling the energy of City of Eldridge staff, Park Board members, and overall community, we knew this was a viable place for our 2021 75th Anniversary World Tournament.”

Published March 29, 2021

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