More than 20,000 visitors have made their way into Fort Dodge this week for the annual Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s state softball tournament.

The tournament is estimated to generate more than $1 million in annual spending locally benefiting hotels, restaurants, concessions, attractions, retailers, gas stations, and other businesses.

“The state softball tournament is a significant economic driver for the Fort Dodge region,” said Astra Ferris, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. “It not only supports local businesses, but also reinforces our position as a hub for major sporting events in the state of Iowa. Hosting this tournament reflects the strength of our facilities and community collaboration that make events of this scale possible.”

Stella’s Coffee Bar, 160 S. 25th St., has seen an increase in traffic throughout the morning and midday as visitors stop at the small business for coffee and treats.

“These last few days, especially for lunch, we’ve been super busy,” said Kaylee Sprengeler, Stella’s manager. “It definitely puts us on the map. Everyone that comes into town will hopefully remember us and come back again next year for lunch and coffee.”

Amigos, 280 N First St., is a popular stop for many softball teams and their families while in town for the state tournament.

“We definitely see increased traffic every year,” said Mark Campbell, owner of Amigos. “We see some of the same teams that come back year after year. We look forward to seeing them. Our staff enjoy it. Some of these teams have made our establishment a second home, and we think of them as part of our family.”

Community volunteers alongside Visit Fort Dodge staff are also enhancing visitors’ experiences at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex as they’ve created an interactive branded selfie station for players and fans.

“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,” said Tiffany Conrad, community sales manager for Visit Fort Dodge. “We hope it’s something they look forward to when they come back next year to state softball in Fort Dodge.”

Fort Dodge has hosted the state softball tournament for more than 50 years through a strong partnership between the IGHSAU, the city of Fort Dodge Recreation Services, Iowa Central Community College, and the community.

“The state softball championship is a celebration of the Iowa girl, and we are honored to have welcomed thousands of these exceptional athletes to Fort Dodge for more than five decades,” said Kerrie Kuiper, executive director of Visit Fort Dodge. “The opportunity to compete at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex is a source of pride not only for the athletes, but also for our entire community. Each year, this tournament allows us to showcase Fort Dodge’s growth, hospitality, and vitality to thousands of players, families, and fans. We are grateful to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union for their continued trust, and we extend our thanks to the staff of Recreation Services and all city departments who help create a memorable experience at Harlan Rogers.”