Belly Dancing, Bingo for Books and More at Final Learnapalooza on Saturday

Learnapalooza - a fun, fabulous, and free family event held annually to celebrate learning - will end after this weekend, according to the West Des Moines Community Education website.

The event began in 1999 to celebrate the 25th birthday of WDMCS Community Education. Families can experience and enjoy hands-on interaction through an array of learning activities.

Learnapalooza runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13, at Valley Southwoods Freshman School, 625 S. 35th St.

Earlier on Patch:

West Des Moines Learnapalooza Coming to an End

West Des Moines city vehicles, including a fire truck, water truck and snow plow, will be available for children to explore and learn about. Younger children will be able to enjoy Preschool Palooza, where they can listen to a story, play a game or get a temporary tattoo.

Performances will take place during the event including, belly dancing and Stan Dahl playing his steel drum. There will be door prizes, Bingo for books (sponsored by the West Des Moines Public Library), Music-n-Motion with Denis Forney, free vision screening for children 6 months to 5 years old, and many other interactive activities taking place throughout the event. Enjoy complimentary drink and snacks, including popcorn.

Organizations from around the Des Moines metro area will be participating in Learnapalooza including – Blank Park Zoo, Campfire USA, CULTUREALL, Des Moines Area Community College, Safe Kids Greater Des Moines, West Des Moines Police Department, West Des Moines Public Arts Commission, and the Walnut Creek YMCA.

Personal care items will also be collected during Learnapalooza to help families in need throughWest Des Moines Human Services. Items needed include toothpaste, deodorant, diapers, laundry detergent, shampoo, and soap. West Des Moines Human Services. Human Services provides about 240 low-income households with personal care products.

These people and organizations have supported the event.

Blank Park Zoo
Camp Fire USA
City of West Des Moines
CULTUREALL
Drake Head Start
Employee & Family Resources
Fridley Theatres
Iowa Journey Photography
The Learning Post
Life Flight
Mad Science of Iowa
Massage Envy
Mel Shivvers, Architect
Music-n-Motion
Randa Nasereddin
Safe Kids Greater Des Moines
Safety Town
Silver Cord Volunteers
Sonal Mistry
United Healthcare Community Plan
Walnut Creek YMCA
WDM EMS
WDM Library Friends Foundation
WDM Parks and Recreation
WDM Police Department
WDM Public Library
WDM Public Arts Advisory Commission
WDM Water Works