Hecho en Fort Madison

If you were lucky enough to catch last week’s Tri-State Rodeo, you watched Tomas Garcilazo, “The Charro on the Road,” spinning his lasso with the kind of grace that only comes from decades of practice. His wife and 11-year-old son joined him, and together they put on one of the most beautiful rodeo specialty acts I’ve ever seen. I wasn’t the only one impressed—I heard rave reviews from lifelong rodeo fans. It was the perfect opening act for this week’s 104th Mexican Fiesta.
Fort Madison is known for many things, but we're also Iowa’s oldest Mexican community. Traquerros and their families settled here more than a century ago, bringing traditions, food (thank goodness), and music. While other towns are known for fruit festivals or roadside attractions, Fort Madison celebrates our Iowa roots alongside Mexican heritage. If that mix had a flavor, it could be summed up in one food: elote!
This weekend, the Mexican Village will be alive with music, dancing, confetti eggs, and the aromas of authentic cooking. Fiesta begins Thursday—so grab a cerveza, a bowl of elote, a few tacos and don't be surprised if you head home with salsa on your shirt and confetti in your hair.
Hecho en Fort Madison!
Once the Fiesta is over, I will be working with the Fiesta Committee, the LULAC and the Village Community, on branding our Mexican Heritage. 
Chi Eastin is the director of the Fort Madison Tourism Board and can be reached at tourism@fortmadison.com