Des Moines Arts Festival: What’s It All About?

With festival time here, many of the uninitiated may be asking, “What’s all the hubbub about?” I’ll try to sum it up: the Des Moines Arts Festival is all about art, entertainment, fun and food! It’s about seeing old friends and gaining new perspectives.

Held June 29-July 1 in the downtown Western Gateway Park, the Des Moines Arts Festival is Iowa’s only free, three-day celebration of the arts. Its mainstay is a juried art fair which features visual arts from across the United States. The festival also encourages new talent with the Nurturing a Student’s Vision program, which exhibits artwork from young Iowa artists in grades K-12. And a recently added feature showcases the work of Emerging Iowa Artists.

Returning for a second year is the sculpture garden, located by the new library. Activities for children and families remain on the festival line-up. And, of course, a number of food vendors continue to indulge guests with an eclectic variety of culinary arts.

While this year’s event will continue to offer favorites from past years, the festival will also “expand into a variety of activities, encouraging patrons to Live the Arts,” say festival staff. Three stages have been added to showcase the performing arts, including dance, theatre and music. But expect the live excitement to spread as a variety of street theatre groups roam the site.

Amid all of this excitement, be sure to keep an eye out for pavement artist Gary Palmer. This internationally acclaimed muralist can be found creating art life at the corner of 15th St. and Grand Ave.

Festival hours are:

Friday, June 29 - 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 30 - 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fireworks Show at 9:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 1 - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Visit the Des Moines Arts Festival Web site for driving directions, festival map or more detailed information.

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

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