“We’re seeing an increase in visitors at all of our locations,” said Michael Payne, co-owner of Pancheros Mexican Grill, Mineral City Mill and Grill, Teriyaki Madness, Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub, and Sports Page Bar & Grill, all in Fort Dodge. “It’s really great to see people coming out and supporting their local teams. It’s a fun time of year.”

“It’s incredible,” said Mark Campbell, owner of Amigos. “We have some of the same teams come year after year with new faces. We look forward to Girls State every year.”

Visit Fort Dodge Executive Director Kerrie Kuiper estimates that the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s state softball tournament brings in an estimated $1 million to Fort Dodge each year through lodging, concessions, dining, attractions, retail, gas stations, and other businesses.

Kuiper says the continued administrative support of Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex and the relationships that have been developed over more than 50 years between the IGHSAU, the city of Fort Dodge’s Recreation Services Department staff, and the community are imperative for hosting this annual tournament.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
very Ambrose, 13, of Panora, readies for a selfie in front of a green screen at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex on Thursday.

“The state softball championships is an important tradition and honor for Fort Dodge to host which not only allows direct spending to be brought into local businesses, but is also an important opportunity to showcase our community to a state audience,” said Kuiper. “We are grateful for the dedication of our Recreation Services Department and other community partners that make hosting this event possible.”

This year, Visit Fort Dodge added signs to Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex that not only welcome teams and fans to the tournament, but also direct visitors to local dining and attraction options through the use of QR codes. The codes send visitors to the web site DodgeTheOrdinary.com to find a variety of places to visit throughout Fort Dodge.

“It has been great seeing fans scanning these codes knowing we are helping to enhance their overall experience in Fort Dodge, and at the same time, helping our local businesses gain new customers,” said Visit Fort Dodge Community Sales Manager Tiffany Conrad.

Conrad also has a fun fan experience set up at the tournament that includes a Fort Dodge branded selfie station with props and custom Fort Dodge backgrounds. The station has been popular this year with players, fans, and families.

“I had a couple last night that came to take their selfie and said they took a selfie last year and they wanted to take a new one for this year’s tournament,” Conrad said. “The wife laughed and said that she had just put their last year’s photo back up on the fridge the other day. We love hearing comments like this.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Jacob Moore, 16, of Fort Dodge, takes a selfie in front of a green screen at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex on Thursday.

“Three summers ago when we started this, our goal was to create a fun experience where fans could create memories to take with them from state softball,” she added. “We hope it’s something they look forward to when they come back next year to state softball in Fort Dodge.”

The fan experience selfie station is manned by local business members and high school volunteers.

The IGHSAU state softball tournament ends today with the Class 1A, 2A, and 3A championship and consolation games at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Signs at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex welcome teams and fans to the tournament on behalf of Visit Fort Dodge. The signs have QR codes that send visitors to the website DodgeTheOrdinary.com to find a variety of places to visit throughout Fort Dodge.