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.

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

Latin American Club - LULAC 304

Diaz family in front of their boxcar

Mujeres Latinas Project

El Cometa barrio

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

FULL STORY

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.

Brochure Cover

Inside Brochure

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.

Mexican Fiesta Website

2026 Mexican Fiesta

2025 Mexican Fiesta

MAY 2, 2026

600 BLOCK OF AVENUE G

Donate to the event here

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.

Decorative floral design with blue, red, yellow, and orange flowers and leaves, with the text 'Our Friends & Neighbors' in orange on a black background.

A boy is tossing confetti onto a girl at a fairground with a stage in the background.

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

People in traditional Mexican dresses and sombreros perform a dance during a cultural celebration.

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

Find your Fort Madison!

Encuentra tu Fort Madison!