Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops

Ankeny has a variety of locally owned businesses that love sweaters and pumpkin flavored drinks as much as anyone else. Grab your hand warmers and go on an adventure from the District to Uptown.

Lydia Gerety and Caden McGlin

October 11, 2024

Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva

Fall treats at Brown Dog Bakery

Get yourself and your dog ready for fall with some pumpkin-flavored goods! Brown Dog Bakery has new treats like the Apple Crisp a la Mode and the Tiny Wicked Apple Bones. Fill a bag with your favorite treats for only $12.99 a pound.

Brown Dog Bakery also hosts a Yappy hour every season for dogs to get together, play, and take photos with a new seasonal backdrop. The next Yappy hour is Oct. 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Brown Dog Bakery has many events one of their favorites being their Yappy hour, a chance for your dog and you to socialize. (Lydia Gerety)

“We do different seasonal yappy hours, it is a social event where people can see other people and dogs,” Brown Dog Bakery worker Abigail said. “We provide snacks and drinks for people and dogs!”

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Brown Dog Bakery presents the opportunity for dog owners to choose a multitude of treats for their dog to try. (Lydia Gerety)

Fun events at the Kirkendall Public Library

Interested in some Halloween fun, but don’t know where to go? Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library is having a Treats and Tiaras night. Dress up and participate in their scavenger hunt to get some candy!

The library offers many activities for all ages providing a place for kids to go to and learn while having fun with their friends.
(Caden McGlin)

There is also an all ages bingo night on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the library! The bingo supports Friends of the Ankeny library, which is an independent organization that helps to advocate and support the library.

Cold Stone’s new fall flavors and treats

Try Boo Batter, one of Cold Stone’s new spooky Halloween flavors. You can also try the yummy 31 Nights of Monster Mash or Trick or Treat. Each is served in a special edition cup when you order in the “got to have it size.” (Caden McGlin)

Even when the air gets crisp the craving for sweets never stops. Take a walk around the district and try some of Cold Stone’s new fall ice cream flavors or their savory caramel apples.

The crunch from the caramel to the apple always tastes good, but especially in fall. Cold Stone has the classic caramel apple as well as ones with sprinkles and even smores themed caramel apple. (Lydia Gerety)

Cold stone is a key spot in the District providing inside seating to enjoy all the treats they have to offer. On top of having great seasonal ice cream flavors they also present customers the opportunity to create their own ice cream, allowing them to choose the flavors that get combined to make their own special creation.

Rustic Swan your best luck for finding unique fall goods

Support a variety of small businesses and visit Rustic Swan for new fall decoration! Rustic Swan has tons of handmade items from art to clothing and jewelry. They specialize in providing goods for antique and vintage enthusiasts supplying them with all their cherished treasures.

“I love the atmosphere,” Ankeny High School (AHS) English teacher Alissa Hansen said. “I always go in there especially when I need to get a gift.”

Rustic Swan supports many small businesses and provides a spot for them to sell their products. Currently the shelves are filled with fall decorations and the perfect sweaters for the chilly air. (Lydia Gerety)

Fright Lights a time to walk around and explore

Who says holiday lights are only for Christmas? Stop by Uptown to visit Fright Lights 2024, taking place every evening through October 31st. Sponsored by Latitude 41 Lawn and Landscapes.

Stop by Uptown to take an evening stroll to visit Fright Lights 2024. There will be Halloween-themed lighting in the area throughout October. (Caden McGlin)

Bingo! Get together with friends and family for Bingo at Uptown Garage

Uptown Garage has Bingo night every Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. It is open to all ages and a great way to spend your time with your friends and family. Then, on Wednesday’s they have King Trivia, a great way to test your general knowledge, plus there is a Happy Hour!

“[Uptown Garage] has board games and a big wide open space with a lot of grass so you can play games,” AHS senior Julius Wiegand said.

Uptown Garage is located in Uptown near Porchlight and they even share a backyard area where they host movie nights. They have a movie night on Oct. 18 where they are showing “Scooby Doo” and Oct. 25 they are playing “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Movies start at 7:30 p.m. (Lydia Gerety)

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About the Contributor

Lydia Gerety, Editor in Chief

Lydia Gerety is a sophomore at Ankeny High School. She is involved in Model United Nations and marching band. She plans to go to a four year college and pursue a degree revolving around English language arts. Lydia likes to spend time with her family and friends and can be spotted at your closest bookstore roaming the shelves.