Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taste Of The Junction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Taste of the Junction street party alcohol permit and proclaims Aug. 30 Taste of the Junction Day
Summary
The West Des Moines City Council approved a special-event alcohol license for the Taste of the Junction multicultural festival and issued a proclamation recognizing the event, with one councilmember recusing on conflict grounds.
The West Des Moines City Council on Aug. 18 approved a special-event alcohol license for the Taste of the Junction multicultural festival and issued an accompanying proclamation designating Aug. 30, 2025, as Taste of the Junction Day.
What the council did: The council voted 4–0 with one abstention to approve a five-day special Class C wine permit for a street-party event in the 400 block of Railroad Place on Aug. 30, 2025. The abstention was recorded as a potential conflict of interest by Councilman McKinney, who told the council he serves on the Taste of the Junction board.
Proclamation and event details: Mayor Russ Trimble read a proclamation noting Valley Junction's multicultural history and recognizing the festival's 13th annual run over Labor Day weekend; the proclamation described the festival as a “3 day festival” that preserves and celebrates the neighborhood's cultural traditions. Festival founder Rochelle Wong told the council the event will run over Labor Day weekend, include Junction Speaks programming, Jazzmen performances, spoken word, and a Saturday event at Railroad Park Pavilion; she said the festival is free and draws visitors from across the country.
Why it matters: The city provided hotel-motel tax support and approved the street-party alcohol permit, enabling the event to operate with an authorized vendor area. Council members noted the festival's role in community-building and said regional visitation helps local hotels and the hospitality sector.
Vote and ethics note: The alcohol-license motion passed with a recorded tally of 4 yes, 1 abstention due to potential conflict of interest. The formal proclamation recognizing the day passed 5–0.
Ending: Council members and staff posed for photos with festival organizers and encouraged residents to attend the free, three-day event over Labor Day weekend.
