CURRENT HOURS: CLOSED FOR GENERAL SEASON; OPEN MAY 1, 2019
Savor the start of the festival season at the new Food & Farm Festival at Living History Farms! Local producers, brewers, makers, and artists will gather together on the front lawn of Living History Farms to celebrate everything that makes Iowa great! Some of the metro’s favorite food trucks will be serving warm eats, cool treats, and bubbly drinks throughout the 2-day festival. And don’t miss the artisan wares and homespun goods provided by local makers. Live music, VIP tastings, food and craft demonstrations, private classes, and more await you and your family at this homegrown gathering at the Farms!
Endorsing Sponsor – Iowa Soybean Association
Event ScheduleLiving History Farms Front Lawn
Saturday, April 27, 2019, 11am-9pm
Sunday, April 28, 2019, 11am-5pm
VIP Tasting EventsFlynn Barn, Living History Farms Grounds
Farms Uncorked – Saturday, April 27, 2019, 1-3pm
Beer ‘n’ Bread – Saturday, April 27, 2019, 4-6pm
Cocktails & Comfort Food – Sunday, April 28, 2019, 12-2pm
Festival of Cheese – Sunday, April 28, 2019, 3-5pm
Tickets for our VIP Tasting Events are available online January 15 at 10am – April 26 at noon. Limit 250 tickets per event. Tickets may be available at the door if not sold out. While Living History Farms offers many family friendly events, our VIP Tasting Events are for adults ages 21+ only. Photo ID required for admittance to the event(s).
Breakout ClassesLiving History Farms Grounds
Saturday, April 27, 2019, 12pm – Class 1
Saturday, April 27, 2019, 2pm – Churn It Up: Butter Basics
Have you ever wondered how butter is made? Why it’s sometimes white and sometimes yellow? What the heck ghee is? Or maybe you want to make some yourself? If you’re ready for a churny into the unknown, this hour-long, hands-on class is perfect for you. In addition to a presentation, every participant will get to churn their own all Iowa, grass-fed butter. Come as you are and be ready to learn, churn, and return home with butter! Sponsored by Better Butter Bureau, a Des Moines business that promotes sustainable and local food networks. Learn more at www.bebubu.com
Sunday, April 28, 2019, 12pm – Class 3
Sunday, April 28, 2019, 2pm – Class 4
VIP Tasting Events and Breakout Class schedules are subject to change.
The Food & Farm Festival on Living History Farms Front Lawn has free admission! Vendors will have items for purchase. Photo ID will be required for any alcohol purchases. Festival doors open at 11:00am each day. Event takes place rain or shine.
Tickets are required and quantities are limited for the VIP Tasting Events and Breakout Classes within the Living History Farms grounds. Advanced tickets are recommended, limited quantities may be available at the door.
Living History Farms will not be open for general touring during the Food & Farm Festival, but we will open for the season on May 1, 2019!
| Festival on Front Lawn unlimited capacity |
FREE, no tickets required |
| VIP Tasting Events Available online January 15 at 10am – April 26 at noon Limit 250 tickets per event |
$10.00/person per event Member discount $9.00/person per event |
| Breakout Classes Available online March 26 at 10am – April 26 at noon Limit 30 tickets per class |
$5.00/person |
Purchase tickets for VIP Tasting Events
Interested in presenting your food or farm related products or business to our event attendees? Vendors are encouraged to bring information & samples, display products, or to sell merchandise to attendees related to Iowa, Midwest, food, and/or farming. Vendor fees vary based upon the type of vendor, and space is limited. Please see additional vendor information and complete the Vendor Application Form below to let us know about your business and your interest in participating. If you are selected as a vendor, we will follow up with a link to our official Vendor Agreement with all of the terms and conditions.
We are seeking musical acts to perform throughout our event. Our stage will be small so our ideal musical acts would be acoustic in nature. Living History Farms can provide 2 speakers, but musicians will need to provide, set up, and tear down all other equipment. This is a family-friendly event, so music should be appropriate for such a setting. Performances will be 2 hours in length. Performances would be considered an in-kind donation to Living History Farms, with no payment or stipend provided. Please fill out the Musical Act Application Form below to let us know about your music and your interest in participating.