Logo with a butterfly and text that says 'Hecho en Fort Madison, Our Mexican Heritage'
Historical informational sign about Fort Madison, describing its significance as the oldest Mexican community in Iowa, established by Mexican peasants working for Santa Fe, with details about its early population and living conditions.
An elderly woman in a hooded coat sitting on a metal chair outside a wooden building, with a table and wooden door behind her.
A black-and-white photograph of eleven children and women, some sitting and some standing, outdoors in front of a wooden structure and a fence. The group includes a woman with a headscarf and a woman with a necklace, along with young children, some holding flowers.

105TH FORT MADISON MEXICAN FIESTA

2026 Mexican Fiesta Schedule
Mexican Fiesta Website
Mexican Fiesta Facebook
Decorative floral design with blue, red, yellow, and orange flowers and leaves, with the text 'Our Friends & Neighbors' in orange on a black background.
Fiesta baby in traditional dress
Fiesta dancer
A man with a beard, wearing a black jacket, a backwards black and pink cap, and a bolo tie, sprinkles cheese onto a bowl of food at an outdoor gathering.
Fort Madison Iowa Fiesta dance in the street in the Village
Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta Dancers
A boy is tossing confetti onto a girl at a fairground with a stage in the background.
People in traditional Mexican dresses and sombreros perform a dance during a cultural celebration.
Decorative poster with historical photos and text about Mexican communities, including Barrio El Cometa, La Yarda, and La Istaファte, and the Fort Madison Fiesta, with colorful flowers, butterflies, and papel picado banners.
Graphic poster celebrating Día de los Muertos with decorated skull and floral motifs, information about the holiday and its cultural significance.
Illustration of a monarch butterfly with orange and black wings, surrounded by text that reads "Fort Madison Iowa Monarch Butterflies."
Learn More About Monarchs
Text that reads 'Mexican Owned Businesses' in stylized font.
Carlito’s Place
Vel's Amigos
Prado's Trading Post
Logo with the text 'Mexican Heritage' in stylized font.
Latin American Club - LULAC 304
Diaz family in front of their boxcar
Mujeres Latinas Project
El Cometa barrio
Text reading "TraquerHistory From the Rails to Our Roots" with stylized fonts on a white background.

March 21, 2026 tour of Chicago’s Little Village. Learn how Chicago and Fort Madison are linked by our shared Traquero heritage.

FULL STORY
A black-and-white photo of twelve people, including children and adults, posing outdoors in front of a wooden fence and a barn-like structure. Some individuals are sitting on benches, while others stand behind them.
Flyer for Fort Madison Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 3, from 2 to 10 PM, hosted by Kingsley Inn in Fort Madison, Iowa. Features live music from The Brotherhood from 5 to 9 PM, 3 food trucks, themed drink specials, dance performances by La Fiesta Dance Troupe, and family events. Decorative banners and floral graphics included.

2025 CINCO DE MAYO EVENT

Our first community Cinco de Mayo event was a great success! We are excited to share our culture with the community and visitors throughout the year.

A hand holding a paper food tray with a taco filled with beef, chopped onions, cilantro, and a lime wedge, at an outdoor event with a stage and balloons in the background.
A girl dressed in traditional Mexican attire standing in front of a colorful balloon backdrop, wearing a multicolored dress with ruffles and a floral headpiece.
A young girl in a white dress and pink scarf stands next to an adult woman, possibly her mother, who is adjusting a headband on her head. The girl holds a red and white striped stick. In the background, there is a piñata hanging, and a man in a black jacket and red cap holding a stick. The scene appears to be outdoors in front of a brick building decorated with red, white, and green bunting, possibly during a celebration or festival.
A musical band performing outside in front of a brick building adorned with flags. Musicians are playing various instruments, and one woman in a red shirt is singing into a microphone.
People gathering at an outdoor event with inflatable bounce houses and tents, under a partly cloudy sky.
A man helping a young girl inflate a balloon with a long stick during an outdoor event, with a blue inflatable bounce house in the background and other people around at a fair or festival.
Four Mexican-style street corn cobs coated with cheese, chili powder, and herbs on a green plate, garnished with lime wedges and cilantro.

Fort Madison Mexican Dishes

What says "Iowa" more than corn on the cob? How about indulging in a classic Fort Madison, Iowa recipe that pays homage to our Mexican heritage. Enter: ELOTE! Also known as Mexican street corn, Elote is a mouthwatering Mexican twist on our beloved corn on the cob. Enjoy Iowa grilled corn slathered with mayo or crema, then sprinkled with lime, chili or tajin, and authentic Mexican cheese like Cotija.

Elote Recipe
Logo for The Mexican Village with an orange butterfly above the text and the phrase "Hecho en Fort Madison!" at the bottom.

Encuentra tu Fort Madison!

The official seal of Mexico featuring an eagle holding a snake in its beak and talon, perched on a cactus, surrounded by a wreath and the words "MEXICO" and "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS."