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Fort Dodge

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Fort Dodge is located in Webster County and it is the county seat. It lies north of Des Moines between Sioux City and Waterloo along U.S. Highway 169, on the banks of the Des Moines River.

In summer 1850, the troops of Company E, Sixth United States Infantry under Brevet Major Samuel Woods, chose a plateau overlooking the river valley to build a fort. The site presented several advantages, including potable water, indications of coal and building stone, and timber. From the fort's inception, the soldiers envisioned a future city and erected the main fort buildings in a line that might form a city street.

Fort Dodge, population 26,057, was designated an All American City in 2001. Attractions include the Fort Museum, featuring more than 20 historic buildings such as Trading Post, Ole Fjetland Cabinet Shop and the E Co. Barracks. In addition, visit the Blanden Memorial Art Museum, a center of art and culture for Fort Dodge and a large area of north central Iowa.


History Fort Museum and Frontier Village | Location: Fort Dodge Iowa 50501

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03/29 Coming to The Fort Dodge area
Orange City Tulip Festival Orange City IA May16-18 The Orange City Tulip Festival - an entertaining celebration of the best of small-town America - showcases for 100,000 visitors this thriving community's rich Dutch heritage. Festivities include music and dancing by hundreds of children and adults in intricate authentic costumes, two daily parades featuring top area marching bands, nightly musical theatre, a carnival midway, fun ethnic food treats, plus thousands of tulips and a dozen reproduction windmills throughout a charming village.
North Iowa Band Festival Mason City IA May23-27 The event is the largest free marching band competition in the Midwest. The mission of the North Iowa Band Festival is to provide a weekend of wholesome family entertainment at little or no cost to the family; to promote and celebrate the rich musical heritage of North Iowa; and to provide an atmosphere which showcases young musicians who are becoming a part of that heritage. It features Carnival, Concessions, Marketplace, Car Show, Arts and Craft exhibits.
Jefferson Bell Tower Festival Jefferson IA June7-8 Jefferson's annual Festival promises a weekend full of family-friendly fun and entertainment. Nestled in the middle of Greene County's county seat, the Festival is home to a broad spectrum of activities.
My Waterloo Days Festival Waterloo IA May30-June12 My Waterloo Days is a community-wide, annual festival organized by volunteers to showcase and celebrate Waterloo's cultural and recreational opportunities.
Newton Iowa Sculpture Festival Newton IA June14-16 The purpose and goal of the Iowa Sculpture Festival is to celebrate the development and growth of sculpture as an ultimate art form and to feature artists that create it.
Bash On The Farm Forest City IA June21-22 Free Admission with 3 Stages, and there's camping, food, games.