The Fort Museum and Frontier Village will open for the season this weekend.
One of the community's main historic attractions, the museum officially opens its 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday with the raising of the flags which fly near Kenyon Road.
"We're excited to be kicking off the season," said Mike Bottorff, president of the board of the Fort Dodge Historical Foundation, which operates the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.
All of the buildings will be open for the public to explore and learn about Fort Dodge history, Bottorff said.
"We do plan to have special things going on each month we're open," said Bottorff.
The season will be more fully ushered in Sunday with a meal and fundraiser. The event will include a smoked pork chop dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. catered by Howard Ball and musical entertainment provided by Kris Karr.
Tickets for the event are $12 for nonmembers of the museum and $10 for museum members. They are available in advance by contacting Bottorff at 227-1360, the Fort Museum at 573-4231, or by visiting the Trading Post on the museum grounds.
Sunday's dinner will include a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses, framed prints and tuition scholarships to Iowa Central Community College.
Bottorff urged families and individuals to become members of the museum for the 2012 season. Memberships are $25 a year for individuals or $50 a year for families. Memberships include unlimited access to the museum for members and their guests and a bimonthly newsletter.
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or emilie@messengernews.net