Fort Madison, Iowa · Est. 1921 · A 501(c)(3) nonprofit tradition

105th Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta

September 17–19, 2026 • 3400 Avenue Q

See the schedule Vendor info

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Aerial view of the Fiesta Hospitality Tent, its roof painted in the colors of the Mexican flag

2025 vendor applications: download the vendor agreement and email it to fortmadisonmexicanfiesta@gmail.com. Vendor agreement 2025 (PDF) — swap this for the 2026 agreement once the committee finalizes it.

105th Fiesta activities

Three days of carnival, dance, food, and community — here's what's happening and when.

Thursday

September 17, 2026

4:00 PMCarnival & vendors open
7:00 PMStreet dance with Blue Zillion

Friday

September 18, 2026

4:00 PMCarnival & vendors open
6:00 PMGrand entrance & pageant crowning
8:00 PMStreet dance with Crooked Cactus
11:00 PMEl Grito

Saturday

September 19, 2026

7:00 AM5K registration opens
8:00 AM5K Fun Run/Walk
11:00 AMBike helmet giveaway & parade
12:00 PMCarnival & vendors open
2:00 PMEating contest
6:00 PMGrand entrance & pageant crowning
8:00 PMStreet dance with Crooked Cactus
11:00 PMEl Grito

Mexican Fiesta 5K Fun Run/Walk

Hosted by Patty Martin — Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8:00 AM. Rain or shine; canceled only for lightning at start time, with no makeup date.

Course

Starts and ends at the Hospitality Garden in the village, 34th & Q, Fort Madison — across from the main stage.

Registration

$25, no refunds. Register by September 9th for a guaranteed t-shirt. Checks payable to Ft. Madison Mexican Fiesta, mailed to P.O. Box 331, Ft. Madison, IA 52627.

Race day

Registration & t-shirt pickup 7:00–7:45 AM at the stage tables. Run/walk starts at 8:00 AM sharp.

Online registration form (name, shirt size, waiver, payment) goes here — recommend Cloudflare Pages Forms, a Stripe Payment Link, or a lightweight form service since this needs a real backend. Happy to wire this up once you tell me which you'd like.

Our sponsors

The Fiesta runs on community support. Thank you to this year's sponsors.

Fiesta!

Join us for the crowning of the Queens Court, featuring the Mexican and American Queens and Princesses, followed by La Fiesta Dance Troupe's traditional folk dances, local bands, and a street dance. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine from local vendors, unique crafts, raffle prizes, and carnival rides for the whole family. Kick off Saturday with the 5K, bring the kids for the helmet giveaway and bike parade, then watch (or try) the jalapeño and burrito eating contest and the spiciest bite/drink contest. Relax and catch up with friends at the Hospitality Tent.