WDM Ushers In Fall With Tenth Annual Illumifest On Saturday

For ten years West Des Moines has been celebrating the beginning of fall with Illumifest, a festival of light that includes paper-lantern making, hot air balloon rides and fireworks. The festival will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the city/school campus, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway.

Many of the activities are free at the family-friendly event. There will be inflatables, games and a variety of food stands throughout the evening. The Chinese Association of Iowa also will have displays and exhibits.

One item that includes a fee is the royal promenade around the pond from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is required on site and the cost is $10. It includes an autograph booklet and photos with a "Royal Princess."

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The hot air balloon rides will be free, but only a limited number of rides will be available, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Riders must be 42" tall and only two people are allowed per ride.

Here's some more free fun you'll find at Illumifest 2017:

• Paddle boat rides from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children's train rides at the WDM Public Library from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Lantern making (limited to the first 1,000 people) at 5 p.m.
• Airbrush tattoos at the library from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Outdoor movie, the 2017 live action film "Beauty and the Beast" at 7:30 p.m.

The festival will conclude with fireworks over the pond at 9 p.m.

Image courtesy of Pixabay