The inaugural Fort Dodge Summerfest, a two-day community event will be held in downtown Fort Dodge Friday and Saturday.

Fort Dodge Summerfest will include a series of live music performances, a full carnival presented by Scott Amusements, a vendor fair, food trucks, a free pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, and a laser show after dark on Saturday night.

The event is free and open to the public, with the exception of carnival rides, which will require the purchase of tickets or wristbands.

Fort Dodge Summerfest will begin with the opening of the vendor fair at 3 p.m. on Friday. The carnival will open at 4 p.m, followed by a series of live music performances.

On Saturday, the day kicks off with a free pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m, hosted by Prairie Lakes Church. The vendor fair opens at 10 a.m., followed by the carnival and live music stage opening later in the afternoon. The event culminates with a laser and music show at 9 p.m.

Live musicians performing at Fort Dodge Summerfest thus far include Jessica Heaning, Kraiger & Friends, Stadium Drive and Lone Tree Revival. Beacham said additional artists will be announced in the weeks to come.

More than 60 vendors will be featured during the vendor fair.

Sponsors for Summerfest include Beachlight Productions, The Better Way Project, Ziegler Cat, Tjaden Electric, Fort Frenzy, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Flannery & Salgren Tax and Bookkeeping, Baker Electric, Godfathers Pizza and the Crossroads Hotel & Event Center.