The parade, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, will now begin staging at the City Square surrounding the Fort Dodge Public Library.

The new route will start by heading east on First Avenue North, then turn south for one block onto 11th Street before turning west onto Central Avenue and ending back at the City Square.

“Our city team, responsible for managing special requested services, along with the dedicated Frontier Days and parade organizers–Jeana Becker and Rick Lussman–anticipated the potential road construction at 12th Street and Central Ave during the planning of the 2024 parade,” said Assistant City Manager Ryan Maehl. “With a year of preparation, we carefully assessed how to sustain this cherished event by adjusting the parade route and coordinating the needs of the extensive parade float staging area.”

The construction project at Central Avenue and 12th Street is now done, but work has started at Central Avenue and 13th Street. That intersection is in the midst of the traditional parade route, which started at Central Avenue and 15th Street and ended at the City Square.

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The Frontier Days Parade Quiet Zone is marked in this map.The route along 11th Street has been designated as a quiet zone for those with noise sensitivities. No sirens, horns, or loud noises will be allowed in this area.

Parade organizers have created a quiet zone on 11th Street for those with noise sensitivities. This designated area will not have sirens, horns, or loud noises as parade entries travel through the section.

“The 2025 route presents several advantages over the traditional path, and our planning team will reconnect after the event to evaluate its success and determine whether it should become the permanent route or if we should return to the original layout for 2026,” said Maehl.

No parking will be allowed along the parade route. Vehicles parked along the route will be towed starting at 7 a.m. Saturday. City officials encourage residents who live in the area of the parade route to make parking arrangements prior to Saturday morning.

Frontier Days begins Friday with gates to the Fort Museum and Frontier Village opening at 4 p.m. with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m.