Get a Taste of Latin America at This Year's Latino Heritage Festival

_{Header image from the Iowa Latino Heritage Festival Facebook page.}

Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival presents “A Taste of Latin America” this weekend in Western Gateway Park. On Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25, be a part of the festivities by dancing along to the Latin musical entertainment, tasting the cultural offerings of more than 20 food vendors, taking in the Iowa Latinx art, enjoying hands-on educational children’s activities and visiting exhibitor booths offering a range of services from social agencies to political parties. When you attend the Festival, you can help celebrate more than 22 Latin countries represented in Iowa, from the Dominican Republic to Uruguay to Cost Rica to Salvador.

Lineup

Expect to see a variety of musical artists take the stage during the Festival. Saturday’s schedule starts off at 10 a.m. and doesn’t let up until 10:45 p.m. Hear music from Son Peruchos, Juan & Only and Jovenes Embajadores, to name a few. Sunday’s entertainment goes from 10 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. iZCALLi and Parranderos Latin Combo are just some of the acts set to perform on the second day.

Food Vendors

The food options at the Festival are plenty. You can even catch a cooking demonstration and gain cooking tips and insight from guest chefs like Tania Blanco. From tacos and cotton candy to quesadillas and burritos, find “A Taste of Latin America” in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) with food vendors that include:

• Antojitos Dominican Cuisine
• Antojitos Lupita
• Boscos
• Chinchila Concessions
• Cotton Candy
• Estella’s Foods Las Palmas
• Flame Food Truck
• Fruits N’ Such
• Jose’s Tacos
• Paleteria La Michoacana
• Los Compadres Flaming Tacos
• Mediterranean Food Truck
• Nina’s Tacos
• Puerco Loco
• Sabores de Mexico
• Street Sweets
• Tacos el Guapo
• Tacos la Papa
• Taqueria Tres Hermanos
• Taqueria Villa
• Umme Food
• Venturas Foods

Other Activities

Arts and crafts will also be abundant at the Festival. See paintings, sculptures and even performance art that reflects the Latin experience. Children’s activities will include jumping castles, pinata making and more. Visit with diverse exhibitors manning booths at the Festival to find out about products and services available in the region, as well as cultural booths for all ages that promote and explore Latin heritage.

Tickets to the Festival are $5, while children under 12 are free. Find free parking in the Nationwide ramp at 1100 Walnut St. Learn more at latinoheritagefestival.org.

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.