Mason City Fall Festival slated for September 15th thru 17th

[August 24, 2023] 

The Mason City Fall Festival will be September 15-17 this year.

Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 15 when the carnival opens, and vendor booths will follow suit at 5pm. The bulk of the events will take place on the 100 block of S. Tonica, and will be visible from Chestnut Street as one drives through town.

Bingo will take place 5-7 p.m. under the big tent, with an intermission for the Queen crowning.

Also starting at 5 p.m. will be the 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the 100 block of N. Tonica. Anyone interested in signing up for the 3 on 3 tournament should reach out to Illini Central High School with questions; an entry form is also available on the Mason City Fall Festival's social media page.

On Saturday, a parade will make its way through town, starting at the high school and heading down Pine Street, turning South onto Main Street and ending at Memorial Park.

Immediately following the parade, the 3 on 3 tournament will resume.

The carnival and vendor booths open at 11 a.m.

Serving as a cooling center, the Arlee Theater will be open from noon to 8 p.m. with guests welcome to come and go as they please.  Additionally, Casscomm has sponsored "Field of Dreams" to play at the Arlee starting at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to tie in with this year's festival theme of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Celebrating America's Favorite Pastime!"

Also starting at noon on Saturday is the Little Prince & Princess crowning, followed by a talent show at 2 p.m. and from 5-8 p.m. The Brat Pack will take the stage and perform covers of 80s music!

Sunday the festival winds down; the carnival portion will be closed, but the Sons of the American Legion will be hosting breakfast at the Legion Hall  from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Jimmy Newell Memorial 5K will start at Pavilion Park at 8 a.m. On-site registration is at 7 a.m. but advance registration is recommended.  Email [e-mail]  for entry form and details.

Drink wristbands are available at any of the bars downtown; these allow for guests to take beverages outside during the event. Funds raised from the sale of wristbands go back into helping pay for the fest.

Ride wristbands can be purchased in advance at IGA in Mason City until September 13 at at a discounted price, or will be available at full price carnival ticket booth during the festival.

[Marcia Maxson Schwartz]