Valley Junction hosts 13th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival
5/2/2017Travel south of the border as the Historic Valley Junction Foundation presents our 13TH Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2017, from Noon to 10:00 pm. Located in the 200 and 300 blocks of Fifth Street in Historic Valley Junction, West Des Moines, IA, visitors are invited to enjoy Mexican foods, artwork, live music, dancing and family activities.
Inflatables and children’s activities will be available. Live music will be performed by MARIACHI AGUILAR at 2 p.m. and GUITARRAS at 5 p.m. TONY VALDEZ LARGE BAND will perform from 8-10 p.m.
Celebrating the Mexican heritage of many railroad workers during the establishment years of Valley Junction, this festival is an opportunity to recognize the Mexican community who helped James Jordan’s vision of bringing the railroad to the Des Moines area become a reality. In honor of our strong heritage, we will also present a proclamation and announcement of our Cinco de Mayo King and Queen at 4 p.m.
Valley Junction was established in 1846 when its first settler, James Jordan arrived. The name Valley Junction was chosen because it was located in the valley of the Raccoon River and served as the junction for the railroad. By 1900, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad had moved its operation to the area. After the railroad boom ended, Valley Junction slowed its pace and changed its official name to West Des Moines in 1938. Many family members of the original railroad workers still live in the Valley Junction area today.
Also in Valley Junction, Thursday marks beginning of Farmers Market season.
Summer is on the way with the start of the 2017 Farmers Market and Music in the Junction Concert Series, this Thursday. Scheduled each Thursday from May 4 – Sept. 28, Farmers Market is from 4-8 p.m. and Music in the Junction is from 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Approximately 100 vendors attend the Farmers Market each week, held in the 100-300 blocks of Fifth Street in Historic Valley Junction, West Des Moines, IA. Many special activities have been scheduled in the 300 block this year; Des Moines Vintage Bike Night will be the inaugural activity on May 4, plus a Star Wars themed costume contest, sponsored by Theatrical Shop.
This season’s Music in the Junction schedule includes
5/4/2017
Rocky Raccoon
5/11/2017
Randy Burk & the Prisoners
5/18/2017
Sumpin’ Doo
5/25/2017
Fahrenheit
6/1/2017
Decoy
6/8/2017
The Blue Band
6/15/2017
Abby Normal
6/22/2017
Ctrl C
6/29/2017
Toaster
7/6/2017
The Tighten Up
7/13/2017
Hound Dog Shy
7/20/2017
James Biehn Band
7/27/2017
Final Mix
8/3/2017
Jimmy the Weasel
8/10/2017
Monday Mourners
8/17/2017
Boomerang
8/24/2017
Brother Trucker
8/31/2017
Royce Johns Band
9/7/2017
The Sons of Gladys Kravitz
9/14/2017
Gimikk
9/21/2017
NOLA Jazz Band
9/28/2017
Tony Valdez Large Band
Valley Junction is now home to over 150 distinctive stores, restaurants, and independent businesses, each with its own unique historical character. Known for its unique specialty stores, Valley Junction is one of central Iowa’s most unique attractions.
