Upcoming events.
Hike A Park
Des Moines County Conservation is teaming up with Louisa County Conservation, Lee County Conservation, and Van Buren County Conservation for the 2024 Spring Hike A Park series! The next hike is scheduled at Wilson Lake in Lee County on April 25th starting at 4 PM. Wilson Lake address is 2195 220th St. Donnellson, IA 52625.
These hikes are open to everyone and are completely free to join. There's no need to sign up; just come to the park prepared to hike between 1 to 4 miles. If you're interested in carpooling, give us a call at the nature center. Carpooling is free; we just need to know in advance! All the hikes will take place on Thursdays, though the times will vary.
Each hike will be led by experienced naturalists who will guide you through the park and answer any questions you might have. Dress appropriately for the weather—wear comfortable walking shoes, layers for cooler days, sun protection, and bring a water bottle. For more information, feel free to contact the Starr's Cave Nature Center at 319-753-5808 or reach out to our Naturalist, Jacklyn, at 319-572-1508. We can't wait to see you on the trails!
80's Night at Boozy Rae's
April 26th Friday 6:00-?! 80’s Incredible Music night with Mike Park spinning vinyl at Boozy’s from his turntables from Pool 19 Plants and Records. Simple Table by Hitomi appetizers, Boozy Rae's LLC booze host! 80’s accessories may just win you something! If you miss this, well - you will miss it
National Train Day In Fort Madison
Join us in Fort Madison to commemorate National Train Day! Experience the thrill of witnessing trains as they journey past while gathering with fellow enthusiasts trackside.
Steak Fry Fundraiser
The Fort Madison Family YMCA and Fort Madison Rotary Club are teaming up for the 3rd Annual Steak Fry Fundraiser on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 beginning at 5:00pm with dinner service beginning at 5:30pm. The event will be held in the Bud Light Stockyard at the Tri-State Rodeo Grounds.
This year’s event will once again include a Steak Dinner complete with a 12oz Ribeye Steak, optional topping choice of Sautéed mushrooms and Onions, Baked Potato, Green Beans, Dinner Roll and Dessert. A Kids Meal option has been added and includes a Hot Dog, Chips, Cookie & Bottled Water.The following beverage choices will be available for purchase: tea, water, beer, seltzers, and wine.
Entertainment will include live music provided by Craig Corzatt and a live auction.
Pre-ordering of tickets is highly encouraged to help with the planning of food. Tickets for the Steak Fry Dinner may be pre-purchased for $25 each now through May 5th, 2024 on the Fort Madison Family YMCA’s website: fortmadisony.org/steak-fry. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the door for $35 each. Kids meal tickets are $10 each and area also available for purchase online.
Online ticket purchasers will receive hardcopy tickets. Hardcopy tickets can be picked up at the Fort Madison Family YMCA by contacting Ryan Wilson after online purchase. Or purchased directly at the Fort Madison Family YMCA during regular office hours.
Funds raised during this event will benefit the Fort Madison Family YMCA’s Annual Sustaining Campaign to help provide Scholarships and Financial Assistance to individuals and families in need and to help the Fort Madison Rotary Club continue doing the great things they do every year which include: donations of coats, scarves, and mittens to local school students; annually awarding three $1000 scholarships for area students; sending several high school youth annually to a week-long leadership training experience: RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and middle school students to YRYLA (Young RYLA); donating to MOST (Miles of Smiles), and repairs and improvements at Central Park, District 6000 Rotary Grant.
Each year the Fort Madison Family YMCA grants financial assistance to over 400 Individuals for YMCA programs and memberships, childcare assistance, summer camp, swim lessons, and more. The Fort Madison Rotary Club helps various organizations with financial support such as partnering with Iowa Fertilizer Company in providing hats, gloves, coats, and other various items of clothing during the winter months. Other previous support includes granting $1,000 to Lee County Crimestoppers, Sponsored Fort Madison Swim Day at the Public Pool, The Old Settlers Park Trick or Treat, and the Fort Madison Parade of Lights.
Updates including auction items, local support, and additional event information will be posted in the discussion feed of this event page. Details and updates may also be found on the Fort Madison Family YMCA’s website.
Old Fort Open Disc Golf Tournament
36 hole disc golf tournament in beautiful Rodeo Park.
Back Alley Bandfest
Back Alley Bandfest is an annual music festival sponsored by Keokuk, IA's Cultural and Entertainment District.
Dry Creek Festival
Spend your Memorial Weekend listening to some great music outside at Vinnie’s. Gates open at 2:00. $10 cover charge for this event. Sound by Thunder and Lightening.
Turnwater Bar & Grill Grand Opening
Southeast Iowa’s favorite party band Head First, returns to Fort Madison for the grand opening of the all new Turnwater Bar & Grill at the Fort Madison Marina!
Farmers Market
Experience the charm of Fort Madison's vibrant farmers market, a weekly gathering at Central Park every Monday from 4 to 6pm. Delight in a seasonal bounty from June 3 to September 30, featuring farm-fresh vegetables, artisanal sourdough bread, locally sourced honey, delectable Amish desserts, and an array of other treasures waiting to be discovered.
Downtown Summer Market
Friendly, fun market with purveyors of cool wares, hand crafted, wood working, metal, art, home decor
Love Lee County Tour
WE ❤️ LEE COUNTY! Discover the charm of Lee County, Iowa, with our annual rural road trip happening every second weekend in June!
Riverside Pride Festival
Join us on June 7 to celebrate Southeast Iowa LGBTQ+ community with Pride!
Faeth's Cigar Store 100 year celebration
Celebrate Fort Madison’s 100 year old watering hole! This long standing downtown establishment even includes a historic bar from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair!
Farmers Market
Experience the charm of Fort Madison's vibrant farmers market, a weekly gathering at Central Park every Monday from 4 to 6pm. Delight in a seasonal bounty from June 3 to September 30, featuring farm-fresh vegetables, artisanal sourdough bread, locally sourced honey, delectable Amish desserts, and an array of other treasures waiting to be discovered.
Donnellson City Wide Yard Sale
Check out the yearly citywide yard sale event in Donnellson! Explore the charm of this small town while browsing through a wide array of yard sale treasures.
Farmers Market
Experience the charm of Fort Madison's vibrant farmers market, a weekly gathering at Central Park every Monday from 4 to 6pm. Delight in a seasonal bounty from June 3 to September 30, featuring farm-fresh vegetables, artisanal sourdough bread, locally sourced honey, delectable Amish desserts, and an array of other treasures waiting to be discovered.
Farmers Market
Experience the charm of Fort Madison's vibrant farmers market, a weekly gathering at Central Park every Monday from 4 to 6pm. Delight in a seasonal bounty from June 3 to September 30, featuring farm-fresh vegetables, artisanal sourdough bread, locally sourced honey, delectable Amish desserts, and an array of other treasures waiting to be discovered.
Nauvoo Pageant
The Pageant emphasizes the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith and honors the sacrifice, faith and courage of the Saints who gave their all to build a city and a temple to their God.
Downtown Summer Market (Copy)
Friendly, fun market with purveyors of cool wares, hand crafted, wood working, metal, art, home decor
Downtown Summer Market (Copy) (Copy)
Friendly, fun market with purveyors of cool wares, hand crafted, wood working, metal, art, home decor
Tri State Rodeo
In 1948, C.E. (Eddie) Richards brought the Rodeo to the Tri-State area. Every year since Fort Madison has been home to the best rodeo of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Great Lake Circuit. Every year thousands of people flock to the Fort Madison area starting Labor day weekend for a week of action-packed entertainment and events.
Porchstock 2024
Experience the vibrancy of local music and community unity at Porchstock, an annual event set in the historic district of Fort Madison. Delight in the melodies of local musicians as they perform on backyards, front porches, and lawns, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of musical bliss and neighborly camaraderie. Family-friendly and complete with convenient food trucks, Porchstock offers a delightful stroll through music-filled streets, creating an effortlessly enjoyable experience for all.
River & Rail Weekend
Come join us on the Fort Madison Riverfront for a weekend of River & Rail events!
Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire
20 tents of Living History, Highland Games, 3 stages of local music, shows and 40 merchants at 2 days of interactive family fun & fantasy! This year’s theme: Scotland & Pirates!
Spring Fling At Appleberry Orchard
The Appleberry store, bakery and Appleberry Acres & Petting Farm will be open! Get your fix of Apple Cider Donuts and other bakery favorites! Call in your order to make sure you get what you’d like. See, pet and take pictures with the new Spring babies including goats, lambs, chicks & bunnies! Food concessions served 11am-2pm. Concessions include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies & drinks.
Faeth's Tractor Show
Bring your tractor to downtown Fort Madison! Join in on the Tractorcade from Faeths to 4th and G at 1pm.
Hinterland Dairy opens for the season
Our on-farm store opens this FRIDAY! 🥳
🎁 All visitors this weekend will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card to use this season
🧀 Grab a Hinterland bundle that includes: one pound of fresh curds, quark and a wedge of aged cheddar in an insulated tote for only $26!
🍦 The freezer is stocked with ALL your favorite flavors of premium ice cream and ice cream sandwiches!
Keokuk Eagle Days
40th Annual Eagle Days
Live Raptor Programs presented by the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis
10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Iowa State University Insect Zoo live bug displays and interactive questions and answers with the Entomology Department in the Fellowship Hall.
Lee County Conservation Eagles Nest and Nature Displays in the Fellowship Hall.
Beautiful Items to Buy from the many Vendors!
Eagle Viewing along the Mississippi River at Victory Park with trained spotters from Lee County Conservation. Free spotting scopes are available at Victory Park and Southside Boat Club.
Native American Displays and Artifacts by the Iliniwek Village in the Fellowship Hall
Native American Activities in the Board Room
Parade of Lights
Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, enjoy a lighted parade down Fort Madison's Main Street, Avenue G!
Wine Walk
Shop n’ Sip at the Fort Madison Wine & Beer Walk in the Historic Downtown District! Our historic commercial district and quaint boutiques offer wine, beer and even distillery samples from local and regional producers. Please save the date!
Cider Run Car Show & Trick or Treat at Appleberry Orchard
Join us for our 10th annual Cider Run Car Show in the orchard at Appleberry! Plus, trick-or-treat around the orchard, too.
Shiverfest
Lee County Speedway will be home of the ever famous SHIVERFEST! There will be hayrack rides, trick or treat on the track for the kids, & lots of racing action to end the 2023 season!
YMCA Trunk or Treat
Join us for this FREE, FUN, and SAFE Trick or Treating in the parking lot at the Fort Madison Family YMCA!
Featuring decorated trunks by a host of local businesses and organizations that will be lined on the outskirts of the parking lot where trick or treaters will be able to stroll through and visit each vendor to collect treats.
Zombie Apocalypse Fun Run
The Zombie Apocalypse Fun Run will be a family-friendly event featuring a run on the new Pollmiller Trail and through the park while dodging zombies lurking throughout the park! Participants will brave the trail in hopes of keeping their brains (also known as flags, from the flag football belts) across the finish line and surviving the zombie apocalypse! Those who return with both of their flags are declared survivors, and those who are not so lucky will be infected! Fun Run Details
Southeast Iowa Depot Tours
Fort Madison's CB&Q depot turns 125 yrs old this Fall! The North Lee County Historical Society will have refreshments to celebrate this Saturday and Sunday from 8-5 each day. While here, check out the historic 1910 ATSF depot complex and NLCHS museum.
Nostalgia Night
Break out your poodle skirts and varsity jackets and join us trackside at the Depot Complex to embrace all things 1950's during the River & Rail Weekend! Activities will be held in the parking area near the Red Caboose by the Amtrak Depot at 810 10th Street.
This free event will have music by Pool 19 Plants & Records for our "Dry Dock Sock Hop", a performance by Junior Talley-the Elvis Tribute Artist and 1950s cars brought to you by Pen City Cruisers!
Hotdogs and Hamburgers by Hy-Vee and ice cream by Speer's Sweet Treats, will be available for purchase.
**1950's wear is encouraged by not necessary!
Porchstock 2023
Fort Madison presents its newest event - Porchstock 2023! Join us throughout Fort Madison's Historic District for a live music of various genres on porches, in yards and garages! We currently have 10 bands at 10 different locations between 5th and 13th Streets, Avenues D-G. Food trucks will be located throughout the district and will start serving at 5 pm. Music starts at 6 pm. After parties will take place at Rail Yard and Vinnie's Longbranch at 9:30 pm.
Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta
Celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Fort Madison since 1921!
75th Tri-State Rodeo
In 1948 C.E. (Eddie) Richards brought the Rodeo to the Tri-State area and every year since Fort Madison is home to the best rodeo of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Great Lake Circuit. Every year thousands of people flock to Fort Madison area starting Labor day weekend for a week of action-packed entertainment and events.
Picnic at the Fort
Food, music, face painting and bouncy house fun! Free Guided tour at 5:00 & 6:30 pm by Mike Killoren: Historian, Author & Videographer
Shuckfest
The 70th Annual West Point Sweet Corn Festival sponsors “Shuckfest” on the Wednesday evening before the Festival. Most of the town, and many from our area, show up to help shuck around 18 ton of corn at what is now called "Shuck Fest". Food, drinks and prizes are now served up at "Shuck Fest" which is sponsored by two local businesses - Merschman Seeds Inc. & Lee County Bank & Trust. Although not official, it is a widely known fact that West Point, Iowa holds the record for the fastest shucking festival town shucking around 700 ears of corn per minute!
Downtown Summer Market
Friendly, fun market with purveyors of cool wares, hand crafted, wood working, metal, art, home decor and many food vendors with with delicious treats on Avenue G in downtown Fort Madison.
Downtown Summer Market (Copy)
Friendly, fun market with purveyors of cool wares, hand crafted, wood working, metal, art, home decor and many food vendors with with delicious treats on Avenue G in downtown Fort Madison.
Lee County Fair
On July 17, 1841 a group of people met at West Point, Iowa and organized an Agricultural Society. Many of the finest honed cattle of the Durham breed were brought in and exhibited. This exhibition has gone on the records as the first held west of the Mississippi River, as well as the first in Lee County and in Iowa.
The next year a three day exhibition was held in Keokuk, Iowa in Lee County on the grounds of the Iowa Medical College. It may have been the first to enforce the ruling that every animal exhibited must be worth at least as much as the premium for which it was shown. Premiums were offered amounting to $588.00 the total amount paid was $219.00. The Society decided on a more extensive promotion for the next year.
In 1855 the Agricultural Society moved back to West Point and first titled it as the Lee County Fair. In 1856 the West Point citizens pledged $500.00 for new fairgrounds and voted to make the town the official and permanent site of the Lee County Fair. From that year until 1870 the fair was held there annually the last week in September.
The town of Fort Madison became the favored site in 1870 after residents had prepared fairgrounds and erected exhibition buildings, also offering other unnamed inducements. It was held the last week in September and was rescheduled through 1874.
The county fair lapsed from 1874 to 1878. It was then reorganized and 20 acres of ground was acquired from a resident from Donnellson, Iowa. When choosing the site at Donnellson it was decided as being nearer the geographical center of the county than its rivals. Since 1878 the Lee County Fair is held regularly at the Donnellson site. 1930 the first night time fair was held. The fair was cancelled in 1943 due to World War II.
The 1950s were difficult years in Lee County. In October 1953 a tornado completely destroyed the amphitheater. However due to
cooperative hard working men a new bleacher type amphitheater was ready by July for the 1954 fair. In 1955 the fair was cancelled on week before opening. A local doctor, J.L. Saar, declared no public gatherings should be held because of the polio epidemic in Lee County and especially in Donnellson.
The rains in 1992 hurt the attendance at the fair, however all events were held. More ground was purchased in 1996 and several new buildings have been added to the grounds. The Lee County Fair continues to grow thanks to the support from businesses and the great many volunteers.