Events for non-drinkers

[Braniff]

From reading such local publications as the Des Moines Register and Cityview, I get the impression that much of the local social scene revolves around drinking alcoholic beverages. Are there any activities at all for those who cannot drink? Some cannot drink for religious reasons, some have medical issues and others choose not to drink. But from all the publicity for the winefests, the beer festivals, the local wineries, there appears to be practically no options for non-drinkers to meet others who are also non-drinkers in the Des Moines age. Either the few options for non-drinkers are for young families or are for retired people. What about other people--or are they shunned in Des Moines?

[mgbrown66]

You could tailgate for an Iowa Football game.

Oh wait, nevermind.

[tyrgyzistan]

Juice magazine and its fascination with pictures of 25 to 35 year-olds in the same trendy bars says more about the kids writing it than it does about anything else. They have to sell ads to the same bar owners even when the names of the bars change and they endlessly close, renovate, and reopen.

The various food festivals, arts festivals, farmers markets and the State Fair are free of drunk people during the day. Just avoid the first Friday at the Fair.

[dogbo]

^ just to be clear, all the mentioned activities do have drinking/drinkers. I think the OP was looking for alcohol free events....not just drunk-free events.

Larger churches usually have plenty of events that don't offer drinking. High school events. College sports.

The reality is, most events listed are created to generate money for either profit or fundraising. Right or wrong, alcohol sales pay the bills.

[mgbrown66]

iCubs games during the summer will have people drinking, but not in the same context as just sitting in a bar somewhere.