Year-Round
On the first Thursday of every month, Main Street invites downtown business owners (and anyone else!) to sip a cup of Joe and chat about relevant issues. We meet at the Ivy Bake Shoppe, 8am. Coffee is on us!
Spring
Artssippi is a coordinated effort between Fort Madison, Iowa and Nauvoo, Illinois. This two-city art walk includes 16 local, independently owned businesses and features 16 local artists. In 2010 and 2011, Artssippi was held over Memorial Day weekend and following week, and in 2011 it was extended to include two weekends of live artist demonstrations.
Click here to download the brochure from 2011
Summer
Big Buckle Bash – The PREMIERE pre-Rodeo event in the Tri-State area! The first annual Big Buckle Bash was held in 2011 and had over 500 people downtown, rockin’ out to country hits and dancin’ in the street! Visit www.bigbucklebash.com for more details. In 2012, the event will be held on August 18th from 5-11pm.
Vendor Forms
Food Vendor
Sidewalk Sales – a Fort Madison Tradition! Every Labor Day weekend, the downtown business owners celebrate with huge sales and savings! The sidewalks are lined with great buys, including shoes, furniture, home decor, clothes, jewelry, and accessories!
Fall
Beggars’ Night - The traditional trick-or-treat event held in downtown businesses for children of all ages, including adults! Residents are encouraged to dress up and visit all of our businesses for their spooktacular treats! Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 5-7pm.
Fort Madison Ghost Hunt – Historic river towns have their share of haunts and the paranormal, and Fort Madison is no different! Every other year, our Ghost Hunt allows for visitors to document the paranormal activity that surrounds us. The spirits of Ft. Madison that have entertained us on Fort Madison’s Ghost Hunt have requested peace to slumber this year. They promise a hair raising return for FM Ghost Hunt 2012! They will greet you then…Happy Halloween! October 19 & 20th, 2012.
Steppin’ Up for Main Street is a fundraiser for downtown revitalization and historic preservation features at least four homes in Fort Madison every year, with a minimum of two upper-story rehabilitations from the downtown area. This is the only opportunity to tour these private spaces which have unique and historic architectural features and the amazing spaces! Main Street’s goal is to educate the public on the importance of upper-story adaptive re-use and the financial incentives available to them. In 2011, Steppin’ Up for Main Street will take place on Saturday, November 5th, from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 the day of the event and include $5 off of lunch! You can purchase tickets on November 5, at The River Rat Restaurant, Antiques & Collectibles at 723 Avenue G, as early as 11am. You can even buy tickets online! DOWNLOAD THE 2011 STEPPIN’ UP FOR MAIN STREET BROCHURE HERE!
Shop n’ sip at the Wine & Beer Walk! Our historic commercial district and quaint boutiques offer wine, beer and even distillery samples from local and regional producers. Join us at our third annual Wine & Beer Walk on November 16, 2012, 5-8pm.
Winter
For the past 20 years a group in Fort Madison have been building lighted floats and organizing the Parade of Lights. Truly a lighted parade with over 50 floats. A time to bring your family and friends to Fort Madison’s Main Street District and create holiday traditions. Lighted floats will be on display in Riverview Park through the first week in January. Holiday cheer is in the air, in downtown Fort Madison, with decorations and maybe even a visit from Santa Claus! Held every year on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving (in 2012, it will be on Friday, November 23, at 6:30pm)
Holiday Queen Contest - Come and see some of Fort Madison’s finest young ladies present their background, accomplishments, and future goals all while dressed in beautiful gowns and vying for the crown! This year, the Holiday Queen Contest will take place on Sunday, December, 4th at the Comfort Inn & Suites. Dinner at 6pm, contest following. Tickets are $15 and available at The Bookmark or the Colony Shop.
Sensational Chefs – The most exquisite gastronomical event in the Fort Madison area! Hosted at the Ivy Bake Shoppe every January, a select group of local professional and amateur chefs offer 4-7 course gourmet meals. Since its inception in January 2010, this Main Street fundraiser has sold out in a matter of days and reservations are always in extremely high demand. For the last two years, we even had a waiting list! Click here to visit the page for January 2012!