Founders' Day Celebrations 2026

27th Annual Founders’ Day Celebration
Event Schedule
Thursday, July 9 –

• 11 a.m. & Noon – Free Summer Matinee Movie, State 5 Theatre
• Hands-on History Tours: Enjoy a kid-friendly tour, activities, photo opportunities and more.
  • 11:30 to 1 p.m. Camp Algona POW Museum
  • 1 to 2:30 p.m. Kossuth County Ag and Motorsports Museum and Iowa Racing Hall of Fame
  • 2:30 to 4 p.m. Kossuth County Historical Society Museum

• 5:30 p.m. – Presentation of the “Spirit of Algona Award” & “The Algona Impact Award”, Riverview Cemetery Lawn
• 6:00 p.m. – “Voices from the Past” presentation in Riverview Cemetery at the gravesites – witness history come alive. Seating not provided – bring lawn chairs. Refreshments provided by Founders’ Day committee following presentation. (Rain site: Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, ILCC)
• 7:00 p.m. -- Kossuth County Speedway Dirt Track Racing, Kossuth County Fairgrounds

• 9:30 a.m. - Weekly Chamber Coffee with Kossuth County Historical Society at the Wells Fargo Building on Dodge Street, Celebrating Kossuth’s 175^th Birthday and America’s 250^th Birthday
• 10:30 a.m. – Noon - Meet and Greet with Michael Newton, great-great grandson of Ambrose Call at the Wells Fargo Building (116 S. Dodge)
• 4 – 7 p.m. – Art in the Park, located in the Carnegie Library lawn area. Sponsored by Stinson Prairie Arts Council
• 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Shriners Cruise-In: State Street, Downtown Algona. Sponsored by Kossuth Shrine Club. Music by MOJO Productions.
• 4:30 p.m. – Walk on Thorington – Guided tour starts at the corner of State Street & Thorington Street Enjoy the history of Thorington Street on this walking tour
• 4 – 9 p.m. – Food Truck Court at the intersection of State & Thorington St.
• 6 p.m. – Parade starting at Thorington / Nebraska Street Parking Lot
• 6:30 p.m. – Champagne Reception with Featured Artist Penny Wang in the Carnegie Centre of the Arts. Sponsored by Stinson Prairie Arts Council.
• 7 p.m. – Elf, Jr. Production from All-Call Theater at Wilcox Performing Arts Center. Tickets available at door.
• 7:30 – 11 p.m. – “Decoy” Band performing live on the Stagemobile
  • Alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase

• 8:30 a.m. - Yoga on the Lawn at The Mansion. Pre-registration requested. Tours of The Mansion throughout the morning. Contact The Mansion at (515) 395-4772 for more details.
• 9 – 11 a.m. Farmer’s Market on Carnegie Lawn area (corner of Dodge St. & Nebraska St.)
• 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Art in the Park, located in the Carnegie lawn area. Interactive art activities for youth and adults throughout the day. Sponsored by Stinson Prairie Arts Council.
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – FREE Kid’s Bash!!! Presented by Algona Ambassadors at Central Park: Carnival games, inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, Happy Train rides, Dunk Tank with the Algona Fire Department, and much more. Kids up to age 12 – adult supervision and registration required. Goodie bag for each participant. Free hot dogs, popcorn & treats (while supplies last).
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Musical entertainment from DJ Dynamite Karaoke on the outdoor stage of the Carnegie Centre. Drawings for gift certificates every hour; must be present to win. Sponsored by Stinson Prairie Arts Council.
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebrate Kossuth County's 175th & America's 250^th Birthdays with FREE birthday cake (while supplies last). Sponsored by Stinson Prairie Arts Council.
• 1 – 8 p.m. – Free swimming at Algona Aquatic Center.
• 2 - 8 p.m. – Free mini-golf at The Caddyshack Miniature Golf Course
• 8 p.m. – Absolute Pro Wrestling Live Show on State Street featuring two special steel cage matches! Free event in front of Pep’s. Concessions available for purchase from the Founders’ Day Committee.

• 8 a.m. – Showboat Open Golf Tournament at River Road Golf Club
• 1 p.m. – River Canoeing Expedition (pending level of water) 1-2 hr. outing along scenic bends of the East Fork River. Meet at Veteran’s Park. Canoes, supplies, training, and transportation provided. Canoeing experience not necessary. No charge – space is limited. Pre-register by 3:30p.m. Friday, July 10 by calling 515-295-2138
• 2 p.m. – Repeat performance of “Voices from the Past” at Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, ILCC
• 2 p.m. – Elf. Jr. Production from All-Call Theater at Wilcox PAC. Tickets available at door.
• 3:00 p.m. – Cornhole Tournament by Moving Veterans Forward of North Central Iowa; River Road Golf Club. Registration 3 – 3:45 p.m., Tournament starts 4:00 p.m. $20 per person.
• 5 p.m. – Elf, Jr. Production from All-Call Theater at Wilcox PAC. Tickets available at door.

• Camp Algona POW Museum Open Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 1 – 4 pm
• Kossuth County Historical Society Museum open Thurs., July 9 – Sat., July 11 from 1 – 4 p.m.
• Ag & Motorsports / IA HOF Museums open: Thurs., July 9th 1 – 2:30 p.m., Sat. July 11th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Sun. July 12th Noon – 4 p.m.