JOIN THE FUN! SEPTEMBER 19 & 20, 2025
COMPETITIONS
Compete in a Festival Event
2025 COMPETITIONS
Be part of the fun and compete in the exciting contests at the Beaverdale Fall Festival!
APPLE BAKING COMPETITION
Presented by Dinner Delights
Show off your best apple creation in our first annual Fall Festival Baking Competition! Entries may include apple muffins, breads, or bars that are safe to be enjoyed at room temperature. Deliver your entry in a disposable container to Dinner Delights (2713 Beaver Ave.) on Saturday, September 20, between 8 AM and 12 PM. Judging begins at 1 PM and will be based on 80% taste and 20% appearance. Registration is free and closes September 18.
Prizes include a $40 Dinner Delights gift card for first place, $25 for second, and $10 for third. Winners will be announced after judging.
DOG PARADE
Presented by Snookies Malt Shop
We’re excited to bring this paw-some event back to the Festival!
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There will be 3 judged categories: Best Overall, Best Dog & Owner Duo and People's Choice. Each category winner will be awarded spectacular prizes, generously supplied by a number of amazing local vendors.
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Registration:
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$10 entry fee includes a dog bandana (various sizes available).
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Complete the online application and waiver by Sunday, Sept 14th.
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Same day registration fee increases to $20.​
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Theme:
This year's costume theme is "what does your dog love?"! Dress your dog creatively as something they love.
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Arrival and Check-in:
Check-in and lineup will begin at 8:50 AM on Saturday, September 20th, in the Beaverdale Books parking lot at 2629 Beaver Ave. Please arrive on time and look for our friendly volunteers, who will assist you with check-in and get you lined up for the parade.
Parade Route:
The dog parade will start at 9:15 AM, once all participants are lined up at Beaverdale Books. The route goes north on Beaver Ave to Adams Ave, then loops back to the intersection of Beaver and Urbandale Avenues (about 0.6 miles).
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Judging:
Judging will take place near the announcer's stand at Beaver & Urbandale Avenues. Winners will be announced there at the end of the parade. Our Des Moines area dog community judges will assess costume creativity, theme adherence, and overall presentation.
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Other things to know:
The Dog Parade is rain or shine! Sorry, no refunds for no-shows.
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THANKS TO OUR JUDGES!
Taylor Neal, Paws & Pints
Dr. Deaglan Riordan, Beaverdale Vet Clinic​
Cornhole Tournament
Presented by Buresh Home Solutions
Grab a teammate and sign up for the fourth annual Beaverdale Bags Tournament. Each team only needs to sign up once and the cost is $40 per team ($20/player). The deadline for registration is Saturday, September 20th, or when 32 teams have registered, whichever comes first. Once registered, there are no refunds.
Tournament Schedule and Check In
The first round of the cornhole tournament officially begins Saturday September 20th at 2 PM. Games are limited to 20 minutes (see rules below) and each round will begin at the next half hour increment (2 PM, 2:30 PM, 3 PM, etc.) Check in will begin at 1:30 PM and all teams need to be checked in at least 15 minutes prior to their first scheduled game. The tournament will be on Beaver Avenue just north of the intersection with Urbandale Avenue. Upon check-in each participant will receive $5 in Beaver Bucks (can be used at festival beer tent, merch tent, or food vendors).
Tournament Rules
We will follow the American Cornhole Rules, with the following changes:
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The winner will be the first team to reach 21 points, or the team with the most points at the end of the 20 minute period of play. If the game is tied at the conclusion of the 20 minute period of play, play will continue until one team is leading at the end of an inning.
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You must use the Fall Festival's supplied bags and boards.
Prizes
In addition to bragging rights and a seriously awesome Trophy for the winning team, prizes will be available to the 1st and 2nd place teams.
Rain or Shine
While we never want to think about it raining, if the weather does not cooperate we will have an indoor space secured as a backup. Any decisions made will be announced at the Festival, e-mailed out to participants, and posted to social media.
Team Trivia
Presented by Buresh Home Solutions
​​​​The 2025 Team Trivia will be Friday, September 19th starting at 6:30 PM in the Medicap Pharmacy parking lot. In case of rain, this event will be held at the Acanthus Lodge on Urbandale Avenue.
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Registration is $30/team. In addition to bragging rights and a seriously awesome trophy for the winning team, prizes will be available to the 1st and 2nd place teams. Once registered, there are no refunds. Max 22 teams, 6 people per team. Registration will close when 22 teams have registered. Walk up registrations will be accepted only if there is space available. No refunds.
KIDS & FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT
Beaverdale Fall Festival’s famous mascot Baxter Beaver got lost while exploring all the fun around Des Moines’ favorite neighborhood celebration! Can you help us find him?!
Join The Rook Room in the hunt for Baxter in this year’s Kids & Family Scavenger Hunt. It’s free to play and runs all day Saturday, September 20th during the festival (business hours may vary).
It’s fun and easy to play:
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Pick up your Scavenger Hunt Clue & Answer Sheet at the Beaverdale Fall Festival information tent near the main stage to get started.
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Follow the clues in any order to search for Baxter. He’ll be hanging out around the festival in notable areas and local businesses.
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When you find him, he’ll have a special secret word for you.
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When you find all of the secret words, fill out your Answer Sheet and return it to the info tent to be entered to win a Beaverdale prize package!
Baxter will not be hiding in areas that are off-limits or otherwise inaccessible. Please be respectful of the area and people around you during your search.
Baxter may be hiding in a Beaverdale business within the festival grounds, so be sure to check business hours and get there before they close!
The scavenger hunt is designed for kids and families and should be easy and fun for all ages.
If you get stuck or need additional information, please visit the Beaverdale Fall Festival Information Tent and ask a volunteer for help.