Join West Des Moines Patch at Illumifest: Full Schedule of Events

If you’re coming out to Illumifest this weekend – and with free lantern-making, a carnival, free paddle boat rides, fireworks and other family friendly entertainment – look for the big “P” on the West Des Moines Patch tent.

Illumifest, a fall festival of light, returns to the West Des Moines City/School campus for the fifth year. It has been expanded to a two-day event, kicking off Friday with an all-city barbecue.

West Des Moines Patch will have representatives there all day Saturday to show you how to become part of the growing West Des Moines Patch community and we’ll tell you how to spin the Patch wheel for prizes.

The forecast calls for near perfect weather, with sunshine and highs in the mid-70s, some come on out.

Here’s the schedule:

Friday

• 5 p.m.: Carnival rides open
• 5-7 p.m.: All-city barbecue
• 7:30 p.m.: Valley vs. Urbandale football game, Valley Stadium
• 10:30 p.m.: Carnival closes

Saturday

• 11 a.m.: carnival rides, food and other vendors (including Patch) open
• 2-4 p.m.: Wristband special at the carnival offers unlimited rides for $15
• 4 p.m.: Free paddle boat rides
• 5 p.m.: Lantern making, face painting and hot-air balloon rides (tethered)
• 5:15 p.m.: Laura Ernst Show (shows continue on the quarter past the hour through 8:15 p.m.
• 7 p.m.: Kosma 5K Glo-Run
• 8:45 pm.: Fireworks show
• 9 p.m.: Festival concludes

Additional information is found on the city’s website.