This weekend, the Fort Dodge summer season officially kicks off with Frontier Days 2019.

Can you believe it’s been 45 years since this local tradition began?

The three-day festival begins at 4 p.m. on Friday at the Fort Museum & Frontier Village and continues until 11 p.m. Saturday events are from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday has activity from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The annual Frontier Days Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, following the traditional route down Central Avenue in downtown Fort Dodge.

This year, Kevin “War Pony” Browning, of Emporia, Kansas, will bring wolves, ponies and a teepee. Browning, a Comanche native American, will teaching visitors about his native culture.

Bob and Vicki Roby, of Rockwell City, will bring Belgian draft horses.

The Boone Community Theatre will perform a melodramatic musical honoring the story of Iowa heroine Kate Shelley, who ran through a storm to save an approaching train when a bridge was washed out.

There will be demonstrations in just about every building, including a blacksmith and leather worker,

The Spelling Bee starts at noon on Saturday.

The Hole in the Sock Gang, Ghost Garrison, Hillbilly Bob, a strolling magician, and the Sandhill Kid will also be on hand to entertain. Bingo will be played on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Seeking more activity? An 86-foot obstacle course should fit the bill.

Friday night features Country artist Jason Brown in the Opera House. Toadstool and Don’t Die! will be playing in the tent.

On Saturday, the Avery/Grouws Band plays from 2 to 4 p.m. and The Senders from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Opera House. Beaver Creek plays under the tent.

Sunday at 1 p.m. the Bill Riley Talent Show will be in the Opera House.

It’s a weekend that riffs off nearly a half century of Fort Dodge memories.

Why not join the fun and make some more?