Johnston and Des Moines Metro Events, When and Where: Craft Fair, Harvest Dinner, Night Eyes, Celtic Thunder and Ballet Des Moines

There’s plenty to do in Johnston in the days ahead, and if you want to travel into to Des Moines and around the metro, there’s plenty to do there, too.

Here are some selected events, with a full list of Des Moines metro events available here.

In Johnston:

Craft Fair - Crown Point Community Center hosts breakfast and a senior craft show starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Breakfast is $3 per person. Craft vendors will showcase their works.

Blood Drive - St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Johnston hosts a blood drive at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Harvest Home Dinner - First Presbyterian Church in Grimes is hosing their annual Harvest Home Dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. Severed family-style will be turkey, dressing, real mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and others. A freewill donation will be collected at the door.

Genealogy 101 - The Johnston Public Library hosts Diane Densmore from the Iowa Genealogical Society at 10:30 a.m. She will be teaching you how to get started looking for your roots! You may register by calling the library at 278-5233 or online.

Metro

Family Halloween Event - Living History Farms hosts a Family Halloween Event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The event, which is $4.50, includes horse-drawn wagon rides, marshmallow roasts, storytellers, scarecrow and jack-o-lantern displays delight all during this non-scary family event. Children aged 12 and under can trick or treat through town, and we'll have free pop and popcorn for all!

Ballet Des Moines: The inaugural company of six professional dancers will perform “Prelude: A Triple Bill” this weekend.
Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines
Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21
Tickets.

Explore Mysteries of the Castle: Des Moines’ own historic castle, the Salisbury House, will be decked in Halloween decor. Kids can participate in science experiments, storytelling, and face painting. See the Owl Lady, along with bats and other furry critters. Costumes are encouraged at this family friendly event.
Salisbury House and Gardens, Des Moines.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tickets.

Night Eyes: This Halloween tradition is a merry, not scary, event for the whole family.
Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines.
5:30-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $5.

Hullaboo: The Iowa Arboretum welcomes kids in costumes to join the parade of activities and treats, including hayrides, a hay maze, games, and pumpkin and scarecrow decorating.
Iowa Arboretum, 1875 Peach Ave., Madrid.
2-4 p.m. Saturday
Free

Next Week
Clifford the Big Red Dog, Live: Kids in grades preK-2 are invited to help Clifford celebrate his 50th anniversary. Scholarship admission is available for students enrolled in the federal lunch program.
Oct. 22, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University, Ames
Tickets: Call (515) 294-3347

Great Pumpkin Party: Families with children with special needs are invited to celebrate with giant inflatables, carnival games and ice cream.
Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.
Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines.
Free

The Fresh Beat Band: Fans of Nickelodeon’s popular preschool TV series won’t want to miss seeing the show’s music group live on stage.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets.

Celtic Thunder: Hailed as BILLBOARD’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of 2011 for their most current disc, Heritage.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets.

Playhouse Halloween party: The Des Moines Community Playhouse Hollywood Halloween costume party will benefit the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre and other educational programs conducted by the Playhouse. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, hosted beer and wine and music by Final Mix.
West End Architectural Salvage, Des Moines
Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets.  

Symphonie Fantastique -- Des Moines Symphony Masterworks 2: Benny Kim performs Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 - one of the violin repertoire’s most beautiful and beloved of all pieces. Plus, just in time for Halloween, experience Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique - a fanciful and vivid musical exploration of passion, tragedy and the supernatural.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 28, 2:30 p.m.
Tickets.