WHY FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT

The Fort Madison Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund exists to keep our community vibrant, welcoming, and full of life. Your donation helps us launch new festivals, strengthen beloved traditions, and attract events that bring visitors, families, and businesses together in Fort Madison.

Events don’t happen on their own. From live music and cultural celebrations to family festivals and signature tourism weekends, every successful event requires planning, promotion, infrastructure, and partnerships. Your support allows us to invest in quality programming, expand marketing efforts, and build experiences that generate overnight stays, support local businesses, and create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.

Simply put — great events grow great communities. But we can’t do it alone. Your contribution directly fuels the experiences that showcase Fort Madison’s culture, history, and hometown spirit.

Together, we’re not just hosting events — we’re building momentum for Fort Madison’s future.

Mail or drop of donation to:

Fort Madison Tourism Bureau

804 10th Street Fort Madison, Iowa 52627

Pay Pal Donation Button

2025 Festivals and Cultural Event Support Fund Projects using 2024 Tower by the Hour Donations

People playing disc golf outdoors on a paved area under string lights, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.

Old Fort Open Disc Golf Tournament

A young boy with curly hair and a striped shirt sitting at a table, smiling at the camera, with two wooden plaques in front of him celebrating his golf achievements from May 2023 at Old Fort Oak.

Disc golfers travel from across the Midwest to play at Fort Madison’s amazing courses at Rodeo Park. They are unique because we have three continuous 18-hole courses that are challenging and fun.

Twisted Cat Outdoors Tournament

Two men holding large fish in front of a fishing tournament backdrop with various logos.
A harbor at sunset with multiple boats docked along the pier and some boats on the water, a grassy bank in the foreground, a bridge and industrial buildings in the background, and a sky with scattered clouds.

Twisted Cat Outdoors brings anglers from hours away to try their luck in our area of the Mississippi River to catch the big one. 70 boats, 140 anglers and a weekend of amazing fishing annually in May.

River & Rail Weekend

Hundreds of train fans and locals make their way to Fort Madison for River & Rail weekend to watch trains, enjoy river cruises, take part in our Nostalgia Night trackside with live music and this year we had a zydeco band play along the river with drinks, food and an amazing night.

Santa at the Santa Fe

331 visitors came to see Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy some treats with hot chocolate, play in the new Children’s Museum at the CB&Q Depot and to watch the Toddy Pop Co. twist balloon animals for them. It was an amazing turnout and a new favorite local Christmas tradition.

Would you like to receive funding for a new or existing event happening in the Fort Madison area?

Learn more

2024 Tower By The Hour Fundraiser

Five people standing in front of a fire truck, posing with a fire rescue tower. One person is holding a sign that says 'Fundraiser Virtual Run.' The tower has the number 9442 on it.
A workspace set up on a windowsill with a laptop, a notebook with a pen, and a white insulated travel mug. A blue folding chair is in front of the workspace. Outside, a red train with an American flag is passing on the tracks, and buildings and a road are visible in the background.
A woman with curly hair and glasses taking a selfie on a balcony overlooking a parking lot, green park, and a large body of water under a blue sky.

This was our first ever fundraiser and we wanted to do something unique so our local Fire Department lifted our Tourism Director up to the Santa Fe Depot Tower where she worked for 8 hours and fundraised. People could donate via Pay Pal online or stop by and drop donations off into a bucket and it would then be lifted up to the tower. It was a great event and we raised $9,953 in 2024 and $5,677.97 in 2025.