DES MOINES, Iowa — The Beaverdale Fall Festival provided fun for the whole family with parades, fun activities and various food options.

The tradition continued this year with over 40 years of the Beaverdale Fall Festival where community members could enjoy the annual celebration. This year, the event featured five stages for music and dancing, a carnival, dog parade and, of course, the main parade spanning roughly 18 blocks.

Tony Tandeski serves on the Board of Directors for the festival and talks about his experience from when he came to the event when he was younger, to now helping with the planning of it.

One of the unique traditions of the Beaverdale Fall Festival is the dog parade. Owners are encouraged to dress themselves, and their dogs, in costumes according to the theme of that year. This year, the theme was dressing the dogs up into one of their favorite things. Some were dressed as hot dogs, UPS drivers, chips and queso, and so much more.

Shelby Shaefer is the director of the dog parade and also serves on the festivals’ Board of Directors. She talks about the fun event and what people can expect at the Beaverdale Fall Festival.

Events and festivities continue with the last concert starting at 9 p.m. Saturday night. For a full schedule of events, click here.

The Beaverdale Fall Festival is scheduled to take place next year on Sept. 18-19.