The Motherland Experience

The Motherland Experience African Festival

Festival Information

Relive the magic of our inaugural 2026 festival and look ahead to what's coming in 2027.

Date

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Hours

10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Location

Western Gateway Park 1205 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Free and Open to All

The inaugural Motherland Experience Festival was free and open to the entire Des Moines community, and thousands showed up to celebrate.

August 8, 2026

A Day to Remember

DJ in traditional dashiki print shirt working the turntables under the Motherland Experience banner
Woman in red dress walking the runway holding the Kenyan flag at the African fashion show
Two women in African print attire serving food from large bowls at a vendor tent
Young children in traditional Nigerian Igbo attire performing at the children's station

The inaugural Motherland Experience African Festival brought the heart of Africa to Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. From the moment the gates opened, the energy was electric. A live DJ kept the crowd moving all day while performers took the main stage for traditional dance, spoken word, and a stunning African fashion show featuring designers and models representing cultures from across the continent. Vendors lined the park with handmade crafts, authentic African cuisine, and small businesses representing the community. A dedicated children's station gave the youngest attendees their own space to learn, play, and celebrate, making it a true family experience from start to finish.

What We Celebrated

Live Entertainment and Fashion Show

Electrifying music, traditional dance performances, and a stunning African fashion show brought the richness of African culture and artistry to life on stage.

Cultural Food and Vendors

Guests savored authentic African cuisine and multicultural dishes from local vendors and food artisans representing communities from across the continent.

Live DJ

A live DJ kept the energy high all day long, spinning Afrobeats, highlife, and diaspora sounds that had the crowd dancing from open to close.

Children's Station

A dedicated children's station gave the youngest attendees their own space to learn, play, and celebrate African culture, making it a true family experience.

August 8, 2026 / Des Moines, Iowa

Festival Highlights

A look back at the moments, people, and culture that made the inaugural Motherland Experience Festival a historic day for Des Moines.

Festival attendees in vibrant traditional African kente cloth attire dancing together
Young dancers in red, white and blue striped outfits performing with the Des Moines skyline behind them
Woman in red dress walking the runway holding the Kenyan flag with African flags lining the stage
Large crowd of festival attendees dancing together on the grass
Woman in traditional Maasai beaded headpiece joyfully waving the Kenyan flag
Young children in traditional Nigerian Igbo attire performing on stage
Three friends smiling together at the festival with cultural artwork in the background
Three men smiling and posing together at the festival with the Des Moines skyline behind them
Woman at a microphone on stage with two young girls during a festival presentation
Woman in red skirt and traditional Zulu hat performing on stage surrounded by African flags
Women in South African attire singing and dancing together at the festival
Young girls in red, white and blue striped outfits performing a cultural dance
Two young boys in traditional kente and striped attire dancing at Western Gateway Park
Two young boys in traditional kente and striped attire posing at the festival
Three women laughing together wearing Kenyan flag wraps at the festival
Group of young dancers in striped outfits posing with an elder after their performance
Four people in vibrant Cameroonian traditional attire at a cultural vendor booth
Musician with dreadlocks playing acoustic guitar and singing at the outdoor festival stage
Festival attendee in traditional green attire smiling with two Des Moines police officers
Two women posing back-to-back in front of the Motherland Experience African Festival banner
Four women laughing and dancing together on the outdoor stage at the festival
Two women in African print attire serving food from large bowls at a vendor tent
Man in traditional black and gold kente robe grilling skewers at the festival
Attendees being served food at a booth with the Liberian flag in the background
Young boy and girl performing an acrobatic dance routine on stage surrounded by African country flags
Young boy and girl sitting together on stage between performances with African flags lining the front
Family group in vibrant Cameroonian traditional attire performing a cultural dance with a flywhisk
Toddler wrapped in the Ugandan flag standing on stage in front of a line of traditional dancers
Group of Ugandan dancers in raffia skirts and red and yellow wraps performing on the main stage
Woman in green African print top performing with a flywhisk at the festival microphone
Man in red shirt waving the Democratic Republic of Congo flag at the festival
Festival attendees holding Cameroonian and Liberian flags while connecting at the park
DJ in traditional dashiki print shirt working the turntables under the Motherland Experience banner
Gabby's Sweet Suds handmade soap bars displayed at a festival vendor booth
Media crew filming the festival crowd at Western Gateway Park
Colorful African handmade baskets, beaded jewelry and leather goods displayed at a vendor table
Handwoven African wicker platters and baskets displayed at an outdoor vendor table
Sizzling African BBQ skewers and grilled meats cooking on a large outdoor grill
Vendor table with colorful African beaded jewelry, sandals and crafts in downtown Des Moines

August 9, 2026 / The Day After

Soccer Tournament

The celebration continued the next day with the Motherland Experience African Festival Soccer Tournament, a showcase of community, competition, and African pride.

African Festival Soccer Tournament Fixtures flyer for August 9, 2026
Youth soccer players in Kunina Youth Empowerment uniforms at the festival
Soccer team in yellow and black uniforms relaxing on the field before the tournament

A Special Partnership

In Collaboration With One Voice DSM

The 2026 Motherland Experience Festival was proudly presented in collaboration with One Voice DSM, united in amplifying African voices and building a stronger, more connected community in Des Moines.

One Voice DSM

One Voice DSM

Des Moines, Iowa

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Be Part of What's Next

The inaugural festival proved what's possible when a community comes together. Volunteer, become a vendor, or sponsor the 2027 Motherland Experience Festival.

Get Involved