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 5:00pm
Saturday, September 5th!
The Get Down Band on the main stage time tbc
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 Pavillion
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 – 10pm
Welcome our 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.
Safe, family-friendly fun for all ages!
Live Entertainment!
High-energy Street Performances
Dapper Donnie & Friends
Get Down Band
Guitarras ATM Salsa Band
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 Music begins at 5:00pm on the Main Stage.
Kid Zone
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Cultural Food Court
Youth Performances
DSM Metro Mix
Dapper Donne & Friends
Line Dancing & DJ
Guitarras ATM Salsa Band
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:00pm – 7:00pm
2:30pm – 4:00pm
3:30pm – 3:50pm
5:00pm – 7:00pm
7:30pm – 8:00pm
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Street
Street
Street
Street
Main Stage
Main Stage
in front of the 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 – 2:30pm to 4pm
DSM Metro Mix – 3:30pm to 3:50pm – Main Stage
Dapper Donne & Friends – 5pm to 7pm – Main Stage
Capital City Steppers – 7:30pm to 8:pm – front of the 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
by TOTJ Tent
Kid Zone Area
Between Main Stage & Restroom on grass
Kid Zone
In Front of Restrooms
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
…thank you for joining us at the Multicultural Festival!
Presenting Sponsor
