DES MOINES, Iowa- Thousands of people gathered in northwest Des Moines on Saturday for the annual Beaverdale Fall Festival.

Organizers say between 10,000 and 20,000 people are expected to pack Beaver Avenue for the two-day festival. Admission is free for everyone, but there are vendors and some activities are priced. The Carnival is cash only, but there are several ATMs on sight.

Some started the party early Saturday morning with a free breakfast at the Acanthus Lodge, which kicked off at 8 a.m. A free power yoga class also started off at 8:45 a.m. at Rooted Yoga and Fitness.

Organizers say there are more commercial and food vendors this year than in previous years. All vendors were open starting at 9 a.m. Also, at 9 a.m. there was the Dog Parade, which is back at the festival for the first time since 2021.

Another new addition to the festival this year is a movie night. Organizers are showing Inside Out 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Beaverdale Books parking lot.

A majority of the crowd packed Beaver Avenue for the 10 a.m. parade.

The festivals theme this year was Building on Tradition. Mr. Les Mwirichia is an organizer and emcee for the event. He said this year’s theme is important because Beaverdale is over 100 years old and celebrating the community is what this event is all about.

Local schools and businesses are represented throughout the festival. There’s also school reunions taking place. Mwirichia said there is a 30 year reunion taking place this year.

Laurie Haeder is a board member for the Beaverdale Fall festival. She organized the Walk of Impact, which is a new addition to the festival this year. At the Walk of Impact, there are signs honoring each of the nominees for the parade grand marshal.

Haeder said one of the nominees, Marion Wissler, passed away earlier this week, so they wanted to find a way to honor him and the other nominees during the festival.

“I think it just shows not only the respect that we have for our community but for all the people that were nominated. They were nominated because all of these people have had a big impact on Beaverdale. I think it’s a fun but yet meaningful way to honor them,” she said.

Before the parade began, they observed a moment of silence for Wissler.

Parts of the Beaverdale neighborhood will be closed through Sunday September 22 at 2 a.m.

For the full event schedule, click here.