Jewish Food Festival
Sunday: Try traditional Jewish food at the Jewish Food Fair, which will feature many delicacies at the Temple B’nai Jeshurun, 5101 Grand Ave. Since early April, volunteers have been gathering in the Temple’s kitchen to prepare many of the dishes that will be served this weekend, including chicken soup with matzah balls, challah, noodle kugel, kosher hot dogs, chopped liver and Jewish pastries such as rugalach and hamentashen. Admission is $12, which includes 10 food tickets. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Go to templebnaijeshurun.org.
CelebrAsian
May 12: CelebrAsian, the Asian Heritage Festival, will celebrate its 10th year with a “Decades of CelebrAsian” theme. The event celebrates the diversity of the many distinctive Asian communities in Iowa. Each year, more than 40,000 visitors browse 13 “villages,” each showcasing traditions and customs of an Asian community. Sample food, watch demonstrations, enjoy live entertainment and more during the daylong event. Legaci, a pop group that has toured with Justin Bieber, will headline the event, with other performances from DANakaDAN of the band afterschoolspecial, Gimikk and Larry Berenguel. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., State Capitol Complex, East Campus, East 13th Street and East Grand Avenue. Find more info at iowaasianalliance.com.
Greek Food Fair
June 2-3: The annual Greek Food Fair is a great way to put a little “opa!” in your weekend. The event features all sorts of Greek food, prepared by area restaurants and volunteers at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, to taste, sample and devour. Purchase items a la carte, or a complete dinner. Tours of the church also will be offered, as well as Greek dancing. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 3. Find more info at stgeorge.ia.goarch.org.
Viva L’Italia
July 27-28: The Italian Festival of Iowa will feature live music from headliner Tre Bella, Aaron Caruso (a returning festival favorite), local groups Standing Hampton and Final Mix, Des Moines-based dance group II Trattenimento Italiano and others. The festival also will name winners of an essay contest, the Mamma Mia contest, the Italian festival queen contest and the best sauce, and will award $3,000 in artistic scholarships to young artists or photographers of Italian descent. The regional focus will be on Tuscany and Calabria, with chef demonstrations, an exhibit tent and a cultural center. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. July 27; 1 a.m.-1 a.m. July 28. Go to italianfestivalofiowa.com.
Latino Heritage Festival
Sept. 15-16: Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival is the largest cultural festival in the state, and features food, music, demonstrations, dancing, vendors and more. This year also includes a new dance competition. The festival has moved back to its original location on the downtown bridges, with free parking. Get more info at latinoheritage festival.org.
World Food Festival
Sept 21-23: The eighth annual World Food Festival celebrates Iowa’s unique and diverse culinary traditions with three days of food, drinks and demonstrations. Area restaurants, caterers and small farmers will offer food samples so you can try several different cuisines and flavors. Vendors will sell worldly and handmade goods, and live music and other entertainment will be performed all day on the Corona stage. Go to worldfoodfestival.org.
