Text on torn paper background that reads 'Hecho en Fort Madison' with a butterfly illustration and subtitle '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.
Title card titled 'Maria Diaz - 1920s Outside of Her Boxcar Home' with a black background and white text.
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.
Text that reads 'Mexican Owned Businesses' in stylized font.
Carlito’s Place
Mama Knows
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
Monarch Butterflies are a symbol of Fort Madison's Mexican Heritage

Monarch butterflies hold a special place in Fort Madison — not only for their beauty and ecological importance but also as a colorful symbol of our community’s connection to Mexican heritage. These remarkable pollinators play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by supporting the growth of wildflowers and other plants that sustain local wildlife. Their incredible migration journey, which links North America to Mexico, mirrors the cultural and natural connections we celebrate here in Fort Madison. Protecting monarchs and their habitats helps preserve both the environment and a meaningful part of our shared story.

Avenue Q and “the Village” has celebrated Mexico’s independence from Spain every year since 1921. The annual fiesta has been important to our community since many Mexican contract workers were sent home or voluntarily went back to Mexico and fought in the war for Independence.

Every year, the committee works to bring food vendors offering authentic Mexican food, music and entertainment with traditional dancing from La Fiesta Dance Troupe, live music, a carnival and cold beverages to honor the century-long tradition.

Event poster for the 104th Annual Madison Mexican Fiesta scheduled from September 11 to September 13, 2025, featuring schedules for each day with activities including a carnival, vendors, street dance, guest speakers, a 5K race, bike parade, helmet giveaway, burrito and jalapeño eating contests, and a croaked cactus
The official seal of the Mexican Federal Commission of Insurance, featuring a Mexican eagle holding a snake in its beak and talon, standing on a cactus, with the organization's name encircling it.
Flyer for Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta featuring colorful floral decorations and images of a mural, a historical black-and-white photograph of people, and a butterfly on an orange flower. It includes event schedule, logos, and text about the fiesta's purpose and history.
A colorful informational flyer about the Mexican Fiesta in Fort Madison. It includes sections on the festival's traditions, history, and community activities, featuring photos of traditional dance performances and group dances at the event.
Brochure Cover
Inside Brochure
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 MAY EVENT

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 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.

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.

Fort Madison's Mexican Heritage

The image features a logo with the text 'The Mexican Village' in orange font and a butterfly graphic, with the phrase 'Hecho en Fort Madison!' in black cursive at the bottom.
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 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.
Fiesta baby in traditional dress
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 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