Raw States

Fort Dodge Frontier Days

Fort Dodge, IA · Arts & Culture

When

June 4–6, 2027

Where

Fort Museum & Frontier Village · Fort Dodge · IA

Cost

Not confirmed

Status

Approximate: based on past editions, not announced yet

A three-day frontier reenactment festival at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge, built around a recreated 1850s fort village. The event includes staged gunfights, cannon demonstrations, and a parade each June.

The history within reach

• National Hobo Convention (Britt Hobo Days)44 mi

  Real hobos and hobo hobbyists have gathered in this small north Iowa town since 1900 to elect a Hobo King and Queen, share mulligan stew from an open kettle, and swap stories at the Hobo Jungle.

• Templeton Rye58 mi

  During Prohibition this Iowa farm town of a few hundred ran a bootleg rye operation of genuine scale, 'Templeton rye' was the good stuff in Midwest speakeasies, and Al Capone's outfit was a customer.

• Buddy Holly crash59 mi

  Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P.

• The Dean Scream68 mi

  Howard Dean, having just lost the Iowa caucus, shouting a list of states he would still win.

• The Des Moines Art Center69 mi

  Three wings by Eliel Saarinen, I.