2026 Multicultural Festival
Labor Day Weekend!
Taste of the Junction!
Celebrate community, culture and connection – Labor Day Weekend!
Join us for three vibrant days filled with incredible flavors, rich traditions, and family fun!
The Junction Speaks
on
Thursday, September 3
followed by . . .
Jazzin in the Junction
on
Friday, September 4
followed by . . .
Multicultural Street Festival
on
Saturday, September 5
LIVE Music on the Main Stage!
Dapper Donnie & Friends will be on the main stage at 4:00pm
Saturday, September 5th!
The Get Down Band on the main stage at 6:00pm
Saturday, September 5th!
Guitarras ATM Band will be headlining Saturday, September 5th – 8pm to 10pm
Events are FREE and
Open to the Public. All are welcome.
The Junction Speaks – Sept. 3rd
The Junction Speaks opens the Multicultural Festival weekend. Since 2013, the event has revealed and preserved the rich multicultural oral histories of the families that created a tight-knit community integrated because of humanity, not desegregation legislation. A rich evening of history through storytelling, slideshows, presentations, video and open mic.
6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Jazzin in theJunction – Sept. 4th
On Friday, September 4th, we celebrate the Spoken Word and Live Jazz. For those of you who have never experienced a Spoken Word event, you should come and see what it’s all about. It’s a casual evening of local poets, music and songs. Those in attendance share stories of ancestors and special historical happenings in Valley Junction. Some are first-hand memories, while others are stories handed down for generations. starts at 6:00pm.
Starts at 6:00pm at Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge
2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Multicultural Street Festival – Sept. 5th
On Saturday, September 5, from 2:00pm to 10:00pm is the annual Taste of the Junction Multicultural Street Festival.
2:00pm to 10:00pm at Railroad Park Pavilion
401 Railroad Place
West Des Moines, IA 50265
LIVE Music, Food & Beverage Tents, Arts and Crafts Vendors, Kid Zone and more. Fun for the entire family! Bring your lawn chairs and your dancin’ shoes. It’s going down in the Junction!
Saturday, September 5th
LIVE Music 2pm to 10pm
Welcome our 2026 headliner:
Guitarras ATM Salsa Band!
at 8pm
Throughout the day will be:
Live Mural Painting!
Cultural Food Court
Authentic dishes from global cuisines.
Locally famous barbecue and smoked meats.
Freshly baked specialty pies, cobblers, and cakes.
Kid Zone
Inflatables and creative crafts.
Face-painting.
Family-friendly fun for all ages!
Live Entertainment Line-up:
Youth Performers & DSM Metro with DJ Taz
2pm to 5:30pm • Street & Mid Stage
Dapper Donnie & Friends
3:30pm to 5:30pm • Ground Stage
The Get Down Band
6pm to 7:30pm • Main Stage
Headliner: Guitarras ATM Salsa Band
8pm to 10pm • Main Stage
Sept. 5th – Saturday Schedule
Fun for the whole family begins at 2:00pm with Kid Zone, Face Painting, Live Mural Painting, Inflatables, Creative Crafts, Cultural Food Court, Ice Cold Beverages, and High-Energy Street Performances.
LIVE Performers and Music begins at 2:00pm.
Kid Zone
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Cultural Food Court
Youth Performances
Dapper Donne & Friends
The Get Down Band
Guitarras ATM Salsa Band
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:00pm – 3:30pm
3:30pm – 5:30pm
6:00pm – 7:30pm
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Street
Street
Street
Street
in front of the Main Stage
Main Stage
Main Stage
Kid Zone
2pm to 7pm – Street
Arts & Crafts
2pm to 7pm – Street
Cultural Food Court
2pm to 7pm – Street
Youth Performances
2:00pm to 3:30pm – Street
Dapper Donnie & Friends
3:30pm to 5:30pm – Ground Stage
The Get Down Band
6pm to 7:30pm – Main Stage
Guitarras ATM Salsa Band
8pm to 10pm – Main Stage
Some of our Vendors and Exhibitors
Some of our Vendors and Exhibitors
Caricatures by Steph
Face Painting by Sheryl Ebert
Da Fashion 360 Photo Booth
TOTJ Popcorn
Aurielle’s Kid Zone
Sweet Stitch Boutique
Ladie Lex Candles
LeeTy Delights
by TOTJ Tent
Kid Zone Area
Between Main Stage & Restroom on grass
Kid Zone
In Front of Restrooms
Street
Street
Street
Caricatures by Steph by TOTJ Tent
Face Painting by Sheryl Ebert – Kid Zone Area
Da Fashion 360 Photo Booth between Main Stage & Restroom on grass
TOTJ Popcorn – Kid Zone
Aurielle’s Kid Zone in front of Restrooms
Sweet Stitch Boutique Street
Ladie Lex Candles Street
LeeTy Delights Street
…thank you for joining us at the Multicultural Festival!
Enjoy the 14th Annual Taste of the Junction Multicultural Street Festival!
NO PETS and NO FIREARMS are allowed at the event.
Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Matt McCoy Supervisor
First District
Silver Sponsor
Pop Up History Museum Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Venue Sponsor
Community Sponsors
McIntyre Plecas Family Trust
Individual Sponsors
Senatory Renee Hardman
Matt and Mallory McKinney
Valora James
Shirley Ramirez
Cecilia (Diaz) Johnson
Mary Painovich
Alonda J. Long
Wallace and Sheila Pedigo
Margaret Long
Dan Rocha
Dr. Mary Sconiers-Chapman
Morris “Skip” Smith III
Al and Sara Womble