Author: Drake University Student

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Des Moines Pride 2022

Celebrate pride month by attending the city’s biggest pride fest of the year! Des Moines will be hosting the 44th Capital City PrideFest from June 9th – 11th at East Village.

PrideFest

About PrideFest

Since 1979, Capital City Pride’s PrideFest has welcomed members of the LGBTQ community, friends, family, and allies to join together in unity. This festival celebrates the year round work of promoting diversity and inclusion in the Des Moines community. Events

Events

June 9th 8 am – 10 am – Pride 5k Stride! $40 race fee + 3.40 sign up fee. Registration deadline is May 26th. You can donate here.

June 9th 12pm – 5pm – Poolside Party! Check out the website for detail updates

June 11th at 12 pm – Pride Parade! Come show off your pride at this annual event. If you’ve really got spirit, you can also compete in the float parade contest! The top 3 best floats will earn prizes and the winner gets TWO VIP tickets to 80/35 music festival and four tickets to the Blank Park Zoo’s Rainbow Safari!

Entertainers- TRIXIE MATTEL, SHEILA E. and SHANGELA will be performing! Trixie Mattel and Shangela are former contestants on Rupaul’s Drag Race. Sheila E. is an award winning percussionist, who has collaborated with many artists such as Prince, Pharrell Williams, and Snoop Dogg.

Support LGBTQ

Donate. Capital City Pride is a non-profit organization that contributes back to the LGBTQ community.

Volunteer. Capital City Pride offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to support the community.

Pride Flag Project. Help display LGBTQ flags on street poles around Downtown Des Moines during Pride Month.

Speaker Series

Each month, members of the LGBTQ community speak and educate about their experience of being part of the LGBTQ community, and how it has shaped their lives. This series is supposed to be a safe space for those that need comfort and support in their lives.

Pride Book Club

LBTQ+ literature and stories are shared in a safe and inclusive space. These stories are meant to educate others about the history and achievements of the LGBTQ community. A book will be nominated each month to be read.

Drag Events

May 13th – May 14th CCP Board Drag Benefit– See the board members get glammed up in Drag! It will be a fun and glamorous event that donates all proceeds to Capital City Pride. So go grab some dollar bills!

June 3rd Pride Mrs. Mr. Mx. Pageant- Hosted at The Garden, this Drag show will have three categories: Pride Wear, Formal Wear, and a talent and question section.

June 4th Drag Brunch at Tonic.

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Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors - a photo of a pond at Yellow Banks Park
Yellow Banks Park

Des Moines Outdoors: Heartland Hiking

Living in the city doesn’t mean you can’t get your shoes muddy every now and then. The Des Moines has an abundance of parks and trails to hit this spring. We’ve already mentioned some popular trails around town; let’s take a look at three often overlooked but worthwhile parks and conservation areas with hiking trails along the edges of Des Moines.

  • Fort Des Moines Park – 1.9 miles

Fort Des Moines Park lies on the southernmost part of Polk County, about three miles southeast of the Des Moines International Airport. The park’s loop trail guides visitors around a fishing pond and through native Iowa prairie, making this hidden gem a must-see in summer months. The 1.9 mile-long trail can be modified to be about 1 mile if desired–check posted trail maps at the park for details.

  • Brown’s Woods – 3.2 miles

Brown’s Woods is a quick drive west of the airport, and has shorter loops for those who might not have the time for a 3 mile hike. Sloping hillsides lead the way through some of the most heavily-forested areas managed by Polk County Conservation.

  • Yellow Banks Park – 3.1 miles

Yellow Banks Park is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Des Moines, but you would never guess by the amount of wildlife and quiet sounds. The park’s trail cuts around two ponds, grassy and forested hillsides, and has recreation areas for baseball, camping, and fishing.

Hiking Essentials

These paths might be close to Des Moines, but you should still prepare before embarking on a hike, especially on a new trail. Be sure to stay hydrated before heading out for your adventure, and bring plenty of water with you to drink during and after your hike. Putting sunscreen on before leaving the house is always a good idea, even on cloudy days, and wearing a hat to protect your face from the sun can also prevent surprise sunburns. It’s always helpful to review trail routes before you get to the park or hiking area just in case you lose cell service and need to exit on a whim.

Above all, remember to have fun and soak up the sights and sounds of nature as you head to the great Des Moines Outdoors!

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Where is Des Moines?

Des Moines is located in Central Iowa. It is also the most populated city in Iowa, with a population of 214,133.

Des Moines’s location is 41.35’27” N latitude and 93.37’15” W longitude. Des Moines’ neighboring cities include Johnston, Altoona, Clive, and Ankeny.

Des Moines is a must-visit destination for those visiting Iowa. The area’s major attractions include the Des Moines Art Center, Iowa State Capitol, Jordan House, and the Wells Fargo Arena.

What Attractions are in Des Moines?

Des Moines Art Center

The Des Moines Art Center is free to the public and is full of modern and contemporary art. Within the museum there is also a restaurant, gift shop, and art studio for education. Established in 1948, there is an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, modern art, and mixed media.

Iowa State Capitol

Tours of the Iowa State Capitol building are offered Monday through Saturday. The building houses the Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives, and the Offices for the Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State. During tours, you will get to see the Legislative Committee Rooms.

Iowa State Capitol building with a blue sky with clouds in the background.

Jordan House

The Jordan House is a historic Des Moines home and was an underground railroad station during the antebellum period. You can now take guided public tours through the house on Fridays and Sundays, where you will learn about the Underground Railroad in Iowa and early life in Central Iowa.

Wells Fargo Arena

Wells Fargo Arena is a multipurpose arena that hosts many events weekly. You can find something to attend at Wells Fargo any time of year. Hosting sporting events, conferences, concerts, etc. Wells Fargo is something someone visiting Iowa should definitely look into.

Des Moines Information and History

Des Moines is the county seat of Polk County, and a small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It is located on and named after the Des Moines River, and in 1851 the town was named Fort Des Moines, which was later shortened to Des Moines.

Des Moines lies in the heart of the Corn Belt and, from 1910-1920, expanded rapidly as local coal deposits were developed. The city is also a significant center for the United State Insurance Industry. Also it is well-established in the retail and manufacturing sectors as well. Des Moines also host the Iowa Caucuses and is a great place to learn and experience a political environment.

The city is also home to Drake University, Des Moines Community College, Des Moines University, Grand View University, Mercy College of Health Science, and Vatterott College.

Des Moines is a very family-friendly area and a great place to visit.

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Des Moines Farmers Market to Return Early May

Get ready for a fun activity full of food, shopping, entertainment, and more as the Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers Market will return for the season on May 6, 2023. The farmers market is a lovely tradition of Des Moines, Iowa as it offers a fun family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of the city. 

About the Market

When in season, the Des Moines’ farmers market is located in the city’s historic court district, near the Polk County courthouse. Parking is offered nearby, but the streets are closed to cars and limited to pedestrians, making a safe and easy to navigate environment.

The market is perfect to enjoy with family and friends, and is suitable for all ages. It is also pet-friendly. The market is open 7 am to noon on weekends, offering a great morning experience. The season runs from May to October, making sure visitors will have enjoyable weather to experience and take full advantage of all that the farmers market has to offer.

What is Offered?

Food and Drink

The Des Moines farmers market offers a variety of options for goers. Enjoy ready-made food and drinks from multiple vendors, as well as fresh produce, poultry, and other food and drink items. Many local restaurants often have a stand at the market, allowing visitors to enjoy all of the favorite foods of Des Moines in one place. Being open early in the morning, the farmers market is best known for its multitude of delicious breakfast options from freshly prepared meals such as breakfast bowls or sandwiches to baked goods.

Many vendors also offer delicious drink options, including smoothies, juices, teas, boba, and more. The market truly does offer options for everyone. Even more exciting, vendors at the market change occasionally throughout the season, offering visitors to the market to continuously enjoy new food and drinks.

Art & Handmade Goods

Other than food, the farmers market has vendors that sell plants and flowers, art, and many other handmade goods. Take home a beautiful new plant or piece of art and have a piece of Des Moines in your home, or find gift options for the special people in your life. Most importantly, vendors at the Des Moines farmers market are all local, meaning visitors to the farmers market not only have a great experience, but are supporting local businesses and sharing in the pride of Des Moines.

Beyond the vendors, live entertainment is also offered at the farmers market as well as occasional activities. With such a great combination of food, goods, and activities, it’s no wonder the Des Moines farmers market was voted second on both Daily Meal’s “Best Farmers Market in America” and Shape Magazine’s “Top Farmers Market in the U.S.”.

To learn more and stay updated on the Des Moines farmers market during its 2023 season, visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market website.

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