The Wells Fargo World Food Festival is set to return to Downtown Des Moines’ East Village on Oct. 13-15, 2006, with a bigger site and extended hours. The second-annual event will host a larger variety of cultural cuisine, global entertainment, and international beers, and is free to attend.
The Festival will be held on East Locust St. in the Historic East Village from E. 2nd St. to Penn Ave. Festival hours are:
Friday, Oct. 13, 2006 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Vendors at the Festival will present a variety of foods from such countries as Africa, Bosnia, Brazil, Greece, India, Italy, and many more. Their menus will feature a plethora of items from appetizers to full meals all for $5 or le ss.
Patrons will also have the opportunity to purchase goods from around the globe at the World Bazaar. Over 20 hours of free entertainment will be showcased on the Festival’s main stage. Local ethnic groups, as well as performing artists from the Midwest, will perform diverse dancing and singing acts throughout the three days of the Festival.
This year the Wells Fargo World Food Festival will highlight the rich heritage of the country of Brazil. The country of the year feature, sponsored by Principal Financial Group, will be devoted to the history and culture of Brazil, including displays and activities. One Festival food vendor will serve a Complete BBQ on a Stick and Brigadeiro, a sampling of some Brazilian culinary favorites. In honor of Brazil’s renowned annual Carnaval celebrations, the Festival will stage parades to march down the street several times during each of the three days of the event. At 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, Cord&at ilde;o De Ouro, a capoeira group, will perform Afro-Brazilian dances and martial arts on the Festival stage.
For more global education, attendees can visit the Wells Fargo tent which will host interactive activities from around the world, such as African drumming, Asian folktales and Chinese kung fu.
The Festival will also serve as a kick off for activities highlighting The World Food Prize and honoring the 2006 World Food Prize laureates: H.E. Alysson Paolinelli, Mr. Edson Lobato, and Dr. A. Colin McClung. The three winners will make a special appearance at the Wells Fargo World Food Festival on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 14.
For more information on the Wells Fargo World Food Festival visit www.wfwff.org.