Des Moines is one of the best festival cities in the world, says industry-leading group

An industry-leading organization in arts and cultural festivals honored the Des Moines metro this Thursday afternoon with an award labeling Iowa's capital city one of the best in the world for festivals.

Announced at an annual conference in Tuscon, Arizona, the International Festivals and Events Association proclaimed Des Moines one of a handful of cities to earn the “World Festival & Event City Award,” a recognition doled out annually by the group. According to the association's website, the award recognizes cities with “a tremendous impact both on the community and the economy within the cities they serve.”

But what does winning an festival industry insider award mean, exactly? It shows the quality of events happening in the region is noticed beyond the state’s borders, said Des Moines Arts Festival executive director Stephen King.

“(The award) recognizes the work that we’re doing is good. It’s good for Des Moines,” King said. “This is recognized from an accredited, worldwide organization that we’re doing exactly that … (and) we’re doing it well.”

Events that propelled Iowa’s capital city to the international honor, said Catch Des Moines vice president of conventions, sports and services Vicki Comegys, include the Arts Festival, the Iowa State Fair, Italian American Heritage Festival of Iowa, Latino Heritage Festival and Des Moines Symphony’s annual Yankee Doodle Pops. According to a Catch Des Moines news release, “millions of visitors” attend these events and more annually.

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Comegys credited the city’s “complete package” of festivals as a driving force for earning the honor. Eight cities received the annual award in 2016, including Philadelphia; Sydney, Australia; and Krakow, Poland.

“It’s a natural for us,” Comegys said. “It’s a natural that we should be recognized.”

King and Comegys traveled to Tuscon, Arizona, to claim the award at the association’s annual conference on Thursday. The recognition comes as an estimated 80,000 people plan to flock to the World Food & Music Festival in Western Gateway Park this weekend.

“Des Moines has built an obvious infrastructure of resources to support the industry professionals and events in their market, helping to ensure and encourage a diverse calendar of events,” International Festivals and Events Association president Steven Wood Schmader said in a news release.

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Looking for a list of must-catch fall festivals in Iowa? Check out the Register’s must-see concerts and arts lists.