Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and most populous city. It is a major U.S. hub for the insurance, finance and publishing industries and is home to numerous headquarters and other large operations of well-known national and international corporations.
Des Moines is a vibrant cultural center. It boasts many highly regarded museums, performing arts centers, music venues, sports arenas and more. It is also home to a continuously growing number of annual events and festivals. Some of these include the world-famous Iowa State Fair, the Des Moines Arts Festival, 80/35 Music Festival, 515 Music Festival and the World Food and Music Festival. On Saturday mornings from May through October, the Downtown Farmers’ Market hosts approximately 300 vendors and attracts visitors from across the state. It is widely recognized as one of the best farmers’ markets in the county.
The city of Des Moines is mainly served by the Des Moines Public Schools system, with small areas of the city served by Carlisle Community Schools, the Johnston Community School District, the Southeast Polk Community School District and the Saydel School District. It is also home to the private institutions of Drake University, Grand View University, Mercy College of Health Sciences and Des Moines University.
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