2026 Multicultural Festival

by | Apr 28, 2026 | Events, People

2026 Multicultural Festival

It’s a Tradition…Labor Day Weekend

at the Multicultural Festival in the Junction!

 

The Junction Speaks

Thursday, September 3

Jazzin in the Junction

Friday, September 4

LIVE Music on the Main Stage

Saturday, September 5

 

Guitarras ATM Band will be headlining on Saturday, September 5th!!

Events are FREE and

Open to the Public. All are welcome.

The Junction Speaks – September 3rd

This year, the festival begins on Thursday with The Junction Speaks from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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 history through storytelling, slideshows, presentations, video and open mic.

5:00pm to 8:00pm at the TPK Event Center

1208 Grand Ave,

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Jazzin in theJunction – September 4th

 On Friday, September 4, 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. 5:00pm to 8:00pm

5:00pm to 8:00pm at Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge

2500 Grand Avenue

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Multicultural Festival – September 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

4th & Railroad Place

West Des Moines, IA 50265

LIVE Music, Food & Beverage Tents, Art and Craft 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!

What a fabulous evening at The Junction Speaks 2025 on Thursday evening! Get ready for 2026, Thursday, Sept. 3rd.

 

…thank you for joining us at the Multicultural Festival!

Guitarras ATM

The Get Down Band

Street Dancers TOTJ Multicultural Festival copy

Facepainting copy

TOTJ Vendor

Live Music in The Junction

Nubian Holiday Bazaar

Nubian Holiday Bazaar

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Events

Nubian Holiday Bazaar

Shop the Santa Collection 

Dec 6th & 7th

‘Tis the Season! You are invited to shop and explore the captivating Nubian Holiday Bazaar. In the spirit of Teree Caldwell Johnson, discover the Nubian Santa Collection, featuring Santas, Nutcrackers, Essential Oils, Candles, and more!

Taste of the Junction is dedicated to keeping her tradition alive in our community. Enjoy a variety of amazing products from local vendors. Light refreshments will be served.

Join us on Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Special thanks to:

Renee Hardman, West Des Moines At Large Council Member

Eddie Davis Community Center

Hip Hope Inc.

MoMere

Reike Plecas & Tim Alston

Your Support Matters

Thank you for your support. Our location is especially important as we continue our mission to create a space for the community to come together to share, preserve, and celebrate the ever-changing, culturally rich history of Valley Junction.

Curation & Preservation • Community Building • Cultural Education
Spread the word

We love it when you like and share our posts! Please help us get the word out.

Multicultural Festival 2025

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Events

Multicultural Festival 2025

Get Ready for fun on Labor Day Weekend!

The Junction Speaks – Thurs., August 28

This year, the festival begins on Thursday with The Junction Speaks from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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 history through storytelling, slideshows, presentations, video and open mic. 

5:30pm to 8:30pm at the TPK Event Center

1208 Grand Ave,

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Jazzin in theJunction – Fri., August 29

On Friday, August 29, 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. 6:00pm to 9:00pm

6:00pm to 9:00pm at Tallgrass Theatre Company

2019 Grand Ave. Suite 100

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Multicultural Festival – Sat., August 30

On Saturday, August 30, from 2:00pm to 10:00pm is the annual Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival.

2:00pm to 10:00pm at Railroad Park Pavillion

4th & Railroad Place

West Des Moines, IA 50265

LIVE Music, Food & Beverage Tents, Art and Craft 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!

What a fabulous evening at The Junction Speaks on Thursday evening!

 

Next up is Jazzin in the Junction, Friday 6pm to 9pm at Tallgrass Theatre Co.

and…

Saturday, 2pm – 10pm the Multicultural Street Festival.

 

The Junction Speaks

Thursday, August 28

5:30pm – 8:30pm

Jazzin in the Junction

Friday, August 29

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Featured artists for Jazzin in the Junction will be 360 and Lenny Bell!!

LIVE Music on the Main Stage

The Get Down Band will be headlining on Saturday, August 30th!!

Saturday, August 30

LIVE Music! 2pm – 10pm

Welcome our headliner:

The Get Down Band!

at 8pm

Throughout the day will be:

Youth Performances

2:30pm – 4:30pm

 

Guitarras ATM Salsa Band

at 4:30pm

Johnny Mancuso Country Singer

at 6:15pm

Capital City Steppers featuring DJ Charles Webster at 7:05pm

 

Events are FREE and

Open to the Public. All are welcome.

…thank you for joining us at the 2025 Multicultural Festival!

Guitarras ATM

The Get Down Band

Street Dancers TOTJ Multicultural Festival copy

Facepainting copy

TOTJ Vendor

Live Music in The Junction

Ribbon Cutting for Taste of the Junction Gallery on Maple St.!

by | Dec 4, 2023 | Events

Ribbon Cutting for Taste of the Junction Gallery on Maple St.!

Oh What a Night!

It’s been a dream come to true to open a physical space for Taste of the Junction that is actually located in Valley Junction. We celebrated the ribbon cutting in November 2023 with the West Des Moines Chamber and the Valley High School Jazz Band.

Special thanks to:

Renee Hardman, West Des Moines At Large Council Member

Eddie Davis Community Center

Hip Hope Inc.

MoMere

Reike Plecas & Tim Alston

Your Support Matters

Thank you to the many community members who attended the ribbon cutting. Our new location is especially important as we continue our mission to create a space for the community to come together to share, preserve, and celebrate the ever-changing, culturally rich history of Valley Junction.

Curation & Preservation • Community Building • Cultural Education
Spread the word

We love it when you like and share our posts! Please help us get the word out.