Returning to the World Food & Music Festival Year After Year
Laura and Wade Morrow have been coming to the World Food & Music Festival in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) since 2017, aside from a few missed years due to the pandemic. Originally from Lawrence, Kan. and later Nevada, Mo., the two found out about the festival thanks to a profile that they happened to stumble upon. Being food festival and event enthusiasts, it piqued their interest enough that they decided to attend and have made it part of their annual vacation plans.
What’s to Love About the World Food & Music Festival
According to the couple, there are a few reasons the Downtown DSM festival stands out.
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The city shuts down several blocks of Downtown DSM to make space for the festival.
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There are numerous countries represented through food, music and cultural events.
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The festival offers an opportunity to watch cooking demonstrations.
In 2024, Laura and Wade loved watching the tamales demo and listening to the Dotdash Meredith table discussion with Hannah Agran and Jan Miller about new food trends in 2024, an event they hope to see included every day of the festival in coming years. Other highlights included learning to play a song on the African drums and seeing mainstage musical groups.
As they enjoyed their time at the festival, Laura and Wade appreciated how well run the event was and the wide range of music and food available. They have also come to the region for other events like the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the National Square Dance Convention, and those events are run just as smoothly, which allows visitors to enjoy them, and Iowa, that much more.
Western Gateway in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is home to the World Food & Music Festival, where diverse cuisine, live music, cooking demonstrations and other performances offer a place to experience culture towards the end of the summer season.
There are so many fun events specific to Downtown DSM. Attend annual events like the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival and Holiday Promenade or find live music happening each week through the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.
Amelia Klatt
Amelia Klatt is the Director of Events for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Her background working with nonprofit organizations has led to skills as a relationship builder and events professional. Klatt received her MPA from Drake University in 2019.