Neighbor's Day Celebration

Save The Date
Saturday, June 19, 2027 

​Event Time: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Event Location: Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa
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Iowa Juneteenth Neighbors Day Celebration is a free, family-friendly community event honoring freedom, culture, and connection. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, local food vendors, small business shopping, youth activities, health and wellness resources, and opportunities to celebrate the rich history and impact of Juneteenth in Iowa. This celebration brings neighbors together to uplift community, recognize progress, and continue the legacy of freedom for generations to come.

Applications for vendors, entertainment, volunteers will open January 1, 2027, 

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REQUIRED:

• All regular vendors & non-profit organizations - $125: (1) 10x10 space
• All food vendors (including tent and food trucks) - $300:  (1) 10x20 space
• Each prices includes a refundable $50 cleaning fee. Returnable after confirmed booth inspection.
  
• Additional space available for $50 fee.
• All final payments and valid certificate of insurance are due by Monday, June 1, 2027
• INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
  • ​​Each vendor will assume full responsibility for their participation in the event. This includes providing your own theft and liability insurance.
  • Vendors and companies exhibiting demonstrations including wine sampling, are required to provide an insurance certificate covering liability for exhibit contents, personnel and show guests within the exhibit space.
  • The Des Moines Urban Experience and Iowa Juneteenth Observance are not to be held liability for any lost, stolen, damaged items. The certificate should list Iowa Juneteenth Observance, P.O. Box 3092, Des Moines, Iowa 50316 as the additional insured.

REQUIRED:

• Application is FREE!
• All potential entertainment acts must submit an application to be considered.
• We encourage all genres to apply.
• WE highly encourage all school bands, choirs, dance groups, 
• All application must provide a link to at least (1) live video to showcase performance quality and engagement, ideally showing a previous, similar, all-ages crowd.
• All music must be appropriate for youth of all ages that includes clean, radio-edit, or PG-rated setlist.
• Submission does not guarantee selection to perform.  Your acceptance as a performer at the event will be at the sole discretion of the Juneteenth Committee. The decision is based on the category slots available.
• INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS​
  • ​​Each performer will assume full responsibility for their participation in the event. This includes providing your own theft and liability insurance.