Photographs entered in the Fall Fest photo contest, with ribbons attached to the winners, were already on display inside the Fort Dodge Public Library on Friday afternoon, waiting for anticipated crowds today.
In the library's meeting room, Roger Natte attached old entertainment posters to the walls - posters of Lili Damita, the French actress married to Al Loomis, of Fort Dodge, and Samuel Arkoff, a Fort Dodge High School graduate who became a famous Hollywood producer.
The Fort Dodge Historical Preservation Commission and the Webster County Historical Society offer a room full of history for those attending the annual Fall Fest.
A Kids Day parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at 12th Street on Central Avenue and ends at Ninth Street. Games, food, activities and entertainment will follow at City Square.
All-day activities on Central Avenue during Fall Fest include chalk work, something new to the annual celebration. Other first-time activities are the photo contest, historical tours, essay and art contests, the Humane Society "Adopt-Me" booth and a kids' parade.
A "Friendly Safety and Law Enforcement Demonstration" will take place in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot, where children can look through law enforcement and safety vehicles. A hook and ladder fire truck will be in the parking lot, along with K-9 dogs. In addition, a child safety seat inspection will be performed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. by John Copper, an emergency medical technician. It's important to bring the child along with the car and safety seat to make certain the seat is adjusted correctly for that child.
Along with the new are old favorites, such as kids inflatables, arts and crafts, face painting, temporary tattoos, balloon animals, archery, rock wall, dunk tank and food vendors.
Then, there will be live entertainment on the Gazebo Stage, including The Locals from 10 to 11 a.m., a New Covenant worship team from 11 to 11:45 a.m., the Terry Cook hypnotist show from noon to 1 p.m., and the Pearl Blues Band from 1 to 2 p.m. A Two-Man Acoustic show will run from 2 to 3 p.m.
Special events for the day will include an 8:30 a.m. adventure race, a Cruiz-In car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 3 on 3 basketball at the Square at10 a.m. Bingo will be played at Citizens Central at 1 p.m. Miniature golf will be available.
There can be no parking on Central Avenue between 12th Street and Ninth Street from 8:30 to 10 a.m. this morning. The parking ban between Ninth Street and City Square, plus all around the Square, will be from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
Lindsay A. Nevins, program director for the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce, said, "Fall Fest, our citywide celebration, is now in its 18th year. The street festival continues to promote Fort Dodge businesses, nonprofit agencies and the fine arts by offering young and old alike an opportunity to celebrate Fort Dodge. Fall Fest continues to grow."
Last year, Fall Fest attracted an estimated crowd of between 8,000 to10,000 people to the city, she said, and this year it is hoped that number will increase.
Contact Sandy Mickelson at (515) 573-2141 or smickelson@messengernews.net
