The largely volunteer-driven event will host about 2,600 athletes and 1,200 coaches.
The games will start at 8:30 p.m. Thursday with tennis singles matches and individual skills at the Forker Tennis Courts and will end with the track and field events at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The sports included in the summer games will consist of aquatic events, track and field, bocce ball, cycling, soccer and skills games and tennis.
The games will officially kick off with the Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum. A torch leg run from Des Moines to Ames will feature the symbolic torch lighting, which will also take place at Hilton Coliseum.