Waukee Fest Celebration Showcases the City and Its Offerings

You might want to clear your calendar tomorrow. The city of Waukee is having a little get together.

Beginning at 7 a.m., Waukee residents, business owners, and civic organizations will converge on Triangle Park in downtown Waukee for Waukee Fest, a Festival on the Triangle. The festivities kick off with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, courtesy of the West Side Kiwanis.

This is Waukee Fest’s third year on the Triangle. In years past, a similar celebration known as the Fall Festival took place in late fall, but organizers say its conflict with other activities made it a less-than-large draw for Waukee residents.

“Waukee put on the Fall Festival for over 20 years,” said McKinlee Gibson, assistant to the city administrator and Waukee Fest organizer. “With school in session and a bunch of other things going on, it wasn’t well-attended.”

Planning for this year’s Waukee Fest celebration started in March and focused on showcasing a majority, if not all, of the businesses, government and civic organizations in this city of nearly 14,000 people. More than 3,000 people are expected at the all-day event.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, residents can take a stroll on the Triangle and get information and goods from area vendors and businesses, while the kids try out the inflatables, mini-golf course, obstacle course and games provided by the YMCA.

At 11 a.m., the first themed Waukee Fest parade begins. The “Wild Wild Waukee” parade starts at Waukee Middle School, travels down Northview Drive and across Fourth Street, and ends at Waukee Elementary School.

“The parade is really one of the biggest draws of Waukee Fest,” Gibson said. “We have at least 40 groups registered and additional groups will show up that day, as well. “

There’s a little something for everyone on the Triangle. The Waukee Fire Department will give tours of the fire vehicles and the Blank Safety House, while the Firefighter’s Association will man the grill. Many community organizations will offer activities of some kind, including entertainment provided by the Waukee Arts Council.

The night winds down with a steak fry courtesy of the Waukee American Legion and Freedom Riders on the Triangle from 6 to 8 p.m. The band Gimikk will perform from 6:30 to 10 p.m. A beer garden will be open on the Triangle during the evening.

Melinda Behn, executive director of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce, said Waukee Fest is a great way for area businesses to come together and show the strength of the community.

“We have really been encouraging the business community to get involved, whether that’s in the parade, as a vendor or a volunteer,” she said.

Behn added that a new sponsorship program was well-received by area businesses and participation is up at this year’s event.

“I can tell you that 90 percent of the sponsorships are Waukee Chamber members,” she added. “That’s huge.”

For more information on the day's activities, for a schedule or map of the parade route, go to the WaukeeFest website.