Manchester Welcomes Back Iowa Firefighters Convention 2026

Key Points

• Firefighters and departments from all over Iowa are expected to participate, with at least one visiting department coming from Wisconsin.
• Organisers estimated that there would be more than 1,300 people registered from close to 100 departments.
• Manchester will be hosting the state-wide event for the fifth time but for the first time since 2019.
• The fairgrounds in Delaware County will act as the primary convention site.
• Activities that have been planned include water ball, golf and bowling tournaments, state drills, associations and parades.
• The parade of the convention is scheduled for Saturday at 2pm.
• The convention program has a theme called “Mardi Gras U-S-A,” related to the 250 years celebration of the US and the 11 September anniversary.
• According to organisers, the money raised from past conventions was used by Manchester Fire Department to buy their vehicles.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 09, 2026 – Firefighters from across Iowa are returning to Manchester this week as the city hosts the 2026 Iowa Firefighters Convention, a five-day event expected to bring around 1,300 registered participants and representatives of approximately 100 fire departments to the community. The convention runs from 9 to 13 September and marks the first time Manchester has held the statewide gathering since 2019.

As reported by the Manchester Press, firefighters from across Iowa are attending the 2026 Iowa Firefighters Convention in Manchester between 9 and 13 September. Local broadcaster KMCH reported that the event is the fifth state fire convention hosted by Manchester, with longstanding firefighter Ed Tibbott co-chairing the programme alongside fellow firefighter Adam Nylund.

What is the Iowa Firefighters Convention?

The Iowa Firefighters Convention is a statewide gathering bringing together fire departments, firefighters and associated organisations for competitive events, meetings and community activities. This year’s convention is centred at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, which organisers expect to become a temporary hub for visiting departments and equipment during the week.

According to Janelle Tucker of Radio Iowa, Tibbott said more than 1,300 people had registered and that attendance was likely to include “right around 100 different departments” from Iowa and Wisconsin. Tibbott said at least one department from Wisconsin was due to take part, expanding the event’s attendance beyond Iowa.

KMCH reported that the fairgrounds will effectively operate as a small temporary town during the convention, as departments settle in for several days of events. The gathering is scheduled to combine competitions with association business, social activities and a public parade.

When are the convention events taking place?

The Iowa Firefighters Convention is scheduled to run from Wednesday, 9 September, through Sunday, 13 September. Activities begin during the week and are set to conclude after the Saturday parade, with attendees departing on Sunday.

KMCH reported that waterball competitions are planned initially on the north end of Grand Avenue, while firefighters will also take part in golf and bowling tournaments. By Friday, the waterball competitions and other activities are due to move into downtown Manchester.

The Iowa Firefighters Association reported that its state drills are scheduled for Friday in downtown Manchester, while its annual meeting is planned for Saturday at the campground. The association also said it hoped to stage a waterball competition involving members of the Iowa House and Senate on Thursday, following the women’s competition.

What events are planned in Manchester?

The convention programme includes competitive and social events intended to involve firefighters from participating departments. Waterball is among the most visible scheduled contests, while golf and bowling are also on the programme, according to KMCH.

The Iowa Firefighters Association reported that it has partnered with Fire Department Coffee for the convention. The company is expected to attend on Friday and Saturday, providing coffee samples and selling coffee and shirts, with the partnership intended to support the association.

The association also noted that Manchester had changed the usual schedule structure, placing state drills in downtown Manchester on Friday and scheduling the annual Iowa Firefighters Association meeting at the campground on Saturday. This timetable means visitors and residents may see convention activity both at the fairgrounds and in the city centre during the latter part of the week.

What is the theme for the 2026 event?

According to Radio Iowa’s report by Janelle Tucker, organisers have adopted the theme “Mardi Gras U-S-A” for the 2026 gathering. Tibbott told the outlet that the “U-S-A” element referred to the country’s 250th anniversary as well as the anniversary of 11 September.

The theme is one of the ways host communities give each convention a distinct identity, Tibbott said in the Radio Iowa report. The programme’s events and gathering spaces will therefore operate within a themed convention format while retaining the practical focus on firefighter participation, departmental engagement and association activity.

When is the Manchester fire convention parade?

The State Fire Convention parade is scheduled for Saturday at 2pm in Manchester. It is expected to be the final major public event before convention participants begin leaving the city on Sunday.

Radio Iowa reported that the parade will bring the week’s programme towards its conclusion. KMCH likewise reported that the Saturday parade will wrap up the main convention schedule, after several days of competitions, meetings and activities.

Residents and visitors should expect increased activity around the convention sites and parade arrangements as departments, vehicles and participants move through Manchester during the event period. The published reports do not provide a detailed parade route or traffic-management plan, so attendees should rely on official local updates for operational information.

How does hosting affect Manchester Fire Department?

Hosting the convention has potential financial significance for the Manchester Fire Department, according to Tibbott. He told Radio Iowa that proceeds connected with previous conventions had helped the department purchase at least three vehicles.

The report did not specify the total amount raised from earlier Manchester-hosted conventions or provide updated figures for the expected financial outcome of the 2026 event. However, Tibbott’s comments indicate that host departments can use revenue generated around the convention to support equipment and vehicle needs.

Manchester last hosted the event in 2019, meaning this year’s return follows a seven-year gap. The city has now hosted the statewide convention five times, according to the coverage by Radio Iowa and KMCH.

What should visitors know about weather safety?

A weather report published by KMCH on 8 September said strong to severe storms were possible across eastern Iowa from Tuesday night into early Wednesday. The station said that, for people attending the convention at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, the designated shelter was the Rec Center just inside the main gate.

This information applied to the forecast issued ahead of the convention’s opening period and may change as weather conditions develop. Visitors attending outdoor competitions, downtown activities or the parade should monitor current local forecasts and follow instructions issued by organisers and emergency officials.

Background: Why does the convention matter to Manchester?

Manchester’s role as host is based on an established relationship with the statewide fire service gathering, having held the event on five occasions. The convention brings a concentrated number of firefighters, support personnel and visitors into the city, with the fairgrounds acting as the principal location and downtown Manchester hosting elements of the programme.

The event is also linked to the work of the Iowa Firefighters Association, which represents firefighters through meetings, state drills and organised convention activity. The association’s September update confirmed the planned Friday drills, Saturday annual meeting and engagement with legislators through a proposed waterball event.

For Manchester Fire Department, the convention has previously offered a route to generate support for capital equipment, including vehicles, according to co-chair Ed Tibbott’s comments to Radio Iowa. This year’s event therefore combines firefighter competition and professional gathering with a local fundraising and community-hosting role.

Prediction: How could the convention affect residents and visitors?

Manchester residents are likely to see a temporary rise in activity around the Delaware County Fairgrounds, Grand Avenue and the downtown area while convention events take place. This is based on the scheduled waterball contests, state drills, meetings and parade, which are spread across several locations and days.

For local businesses, the arrival of around 1,300 registered attendees could increase demand for food, fuel, retail services and other visitor-facing facilities during the convention period. The expected scale of attendance was reported by Radio Iowa, although no independent forecast of local spending has been published.

For firefighters and departments, the convention provides a setting for competition, organised association business and interaction with colleagues from other departments. For the Manchester Fire Department, any successful fundraising associated with hosting could support future equipment needs, as previous conventions reportedly contributed to the purchase of three vehicles.