05/28/2026
Mark your Calendars for the 2026 Frontier Days Parade!
The Frontier Days Parade Invitation & Tribute
The Frontier Days Committee cordially invites approximately 40 veterans who participated in the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flights under Ron Newsum's esteemed leadership to join us in the upcoming parade. We would be deeply honored by their presence, attired in their distinguished red hats and polos, alongside fellow Brushy Creek Area Board Members.
The Frontier Days Committee are diligently finalizing their arrangements for a respectful tribute to our esteemed founder, Ron Newsum. The Frontier Days Committee have sought our assistance in organizing a fitting tribute for Ron, who was a cornerstone of our community, widely recognized and respected, and a prominent figure within our community. The Board members of Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight would be very much obliged if former veterans, volunteers, and Board Members would help us successfully achieve this mission.
The Frontier Days Parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026. The heart of the 2026 parade belongs to the late Ron Newsum being posthumously honored as Grand Marshal, following his passing in January 2026. The community will honor his immense legacy with a special tribute that will feature a riderless horse, hayride trucks for our veterans and volunteers, and a FDFD Fire Truck.
The 2026 Fort Dodge Frontier Days Parade will serve as a profound homage to local history. Traversing downtown Central Avenue on Saturday, June 6, 2026, the parade will vividly bring this year's theme, "Passport to the Past," to life by celebrating community heritage and commemorating a legendary local hero, through a deeply moving military tradition.
Remembering Grand Marshal Ron Newsum
• The Riderless Horse: A riderless horse, with empty boots reversed in the stirrups, will lead the procession. This symbolizes a fallen leader casting a final glance at his troops.
• A Legacy of Service: Mr. Newsum served in the Iowa Air National Guard advocating for his fellow service members. He established the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight in 2009. He personally orchestrated 27 flights, transporting approximately 3,500 Iowa veterans to Washington, D.C.
• Old Glory on the River: Mr. Newsum also conceived the iconic permanent flag display on the Des Moines River pier, ensuring patriotism remains a prominent feature of Fort Dodge, with the assistance of the Fort Dodge Fire Department and a group of individuals from the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility.
• Timeline: The parade will commence promptly at 10:00 AM and is expected to last approximately 1.5 hours.
This year's parade beautifully intertwines the history of Fort Dodge with the enduring spirit of service that Ron Newsum championed throughout his life leaving an impact on Fort Dodge.