The Drake Neighborhood Association is very excited to announce it will be hosting a Lantern Parade and Night Market in celebration of Art Week 2024. Mark your calendars for Friday, June 14th from 7-10 pm. 

Brant Bollman, the director of Theatre Arts at William Penn University and puppetmaster at Uplifting Puppet Co., is being recognized with a prestigious 2024 Des Moines Art Week Fellowship. The partnership will see Bollman collaborating with members of the Drake neighborhood in Des Moines to bring to life an enchanting night market event on June 14. This event promises an eclectic mix of vendors, culinary delights, and captivating entertainment, culminating in a mesmerizing lantern puppet parade down Kingsman Boulevard.

The Parade:

Central to the parade will be the unveiling of a magnificent giant puppet crafted by Bollman and his team of students and neighborhood creatives. "We're creating a giant moon goddess, this big beautiful indigo-colored lady who will float down the streets, puppeteered by eight or nine people," Bollman elaborated. "It's a community effort, with drummers, fire spitters, belly dancers, and individuals carrying their own lanterns joining the procession."

The Night Market:

This unique shopping experience will offer you a chance to shop local artists, listen to music, visit with neighbors, as well sample local cuisine before and after the parade. Arts and Crafts vendors will include the following amazing Des Moines area creatives:

  • Nomoarts
  • Macramade by Kelc
  • stevekellerart
  • SIDETRACK
  • Rosie K art
  • Marlana Bright.
  • Ney Creates
  • Windy’s Sublime Healing
  • lagaleriademela
  • Freya Mori

There are many ways to participate:

  • Be in the Parade – Lantern Workshops are being offered June 8th through June 12th. You can shine your light on June 14th at 9:00 pm.

    • 6/8 at LSI Global Greens Market 1907 Carpenter Ave. from 10am-11:30am.
    • 6/10 at Hope Elim at 2500 University Ave. from 6 - 7:30 pm.
    • 6/11 at Hope Elim at 2500 University Ave. from 6 - 7:30 pm.
    • and 6/12 at Black Cat Ice Cream at 2511 Cottage Grove Ave. from 6 - 9 pm.

  • Watch the Parade – The parade route is on Kingman Blvd from 25th Street to 31st Street.  Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the magic!

  • Shop the Night Market – The Night Market will be at 2718 Kingman Blvd (Studio AU).  You can enjoy music, food and be surrounded by art and neighbors!

  • Volunteer – We will need lots of people to help with set-up, direct traffic, and clean-up.  You can volunteer on the DNA Website.

It will be magical!

Sponsored by Invest DSM, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Visionary, National Endowment for the Arts, Iowa Arts Council, Drake Neighborhood Association, Polk County Board of Supervisors, Axios and The Playhouse.



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