Ankeny SummerFest 2013 Countdown: Best Bets for the Kids

Ankeny SummerFest 2013 is now two days away and you're likely making plans for a visit or two to this year's festivities.

Thinking of bringing the whole family? Here's a few of our picks for the best events to take the kids to.

SummerFest Carnival

Who doesn't love the carnival? While this is pretty self-explanatory, take the kids down to the carnival for a Ferris wheel ride or a tasty corn dog. Carnival hours are as follows:

Thursday:   5pm to 10 pm
Friday:       5pm to Midnight
Saturday:   1pm to Midnight
Sunday:     1pm to 11pm

Splash Dance

This is a great event for the older kids in your family. Held at Cascade Falls Aquatic Center in Ankeny, kids grades 6-9 can have a little fun at the pool from 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, July 12. Season pool passes will be honored.

Koach Allstars Cheer Clinic

Have a future cheerleader in your family? Take them to this special cheer clinic, which will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of SummerFest. Ages 3 and up are welcome.

Check out the SummerFest website for more info, including times and registration details.

Kiddie Parade

The kids come out in full force for this event, which is held Friday evening. Kids will be dressed up in their best costumes and showing off their homemade floats as they parade around Uptown Ankeny.

The Kiddie Parade starts at 6 p.m.

Free Kids Kite Building 

This new event will take place on the SummerFest grounds on Sunday, July 14. 

Kids Pedal Tractor Pull 

Sunday night, the kids will battle it out in this annual event. Kids ages 3-6 can test their pedal-pull skills by seeing how far they can pull a sled using a pedal tractor.

This event is free and features t-shirts for winners. To register your child, please visit the North Pointe Church booth on SummerFest grounds and arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the races on Sunday. 

The event starts at 5 p.m.

Ankeny SummerFest is July 11-14 this year and will be held on the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex grounds.