2021 Programming At The Festival
Culinary Discovery Pavilion | Cultural Activity Pavilion | Fruit Adventure Tent | Cooking Challenge | Naturalization Ceremony
2021 Program Sponsors
All weekend long, local chefs will demonstrate their culinary skills, offer samples of their delectable creations and share instructions of how to prepare them in the MeredithCulinary Discovery Pavilion. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for anyone who enjoys live cooking demonstrations or is interested in expanding their recipe book.
A demonstration schedule will be posted prior to the Festival in September. Explore diverse restaurants, recipes, videos and more on the Culinary Discovery page.
Featuring a great mix of local ambassadors and fun activities, the Cultural Activity Pavilion offers a virtual trip around the world with workshops, interactive presentations and hands-on activities. Each event is designed to expose visitors to authentic cultural experiences here in Greater Des Moines (DSM). In past years attendees learned about Taiko Japanese Drumming, created Zen Calligraphy Characters, participated in world trivia with foreign exchange students and met cultural ambassadors wearing traditional attire from other countries.
The Festival’s Fruit Adventure Tent presented by Voya Financial offers children and adults a unique experience to celebrate fruit from around the world. Visit the Fruit Adventure Tent to explore exotic fruits such as jackfruit, cherimoya and kiwano. Learn about where they are from in the world and even get a taste for yourself! Fresh fruit provided by Hy-Vee, Inc.
In 2019, the World Food & Music Festival was proud to host a Naturalization Ceremony for the U.S. District Court on the Festival Main Stage. A total of 150 individuals became U.S. citizens at the start of The Festival.
The Festival will host its third annual Naturalization Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign citizen or national becomes a U.S. citizen. Festival guests are welcome to watch this special ceremony and celebrate the achievement of these individuals. Read more about the first naturalization ceremony that was held at the Festival.