What's it like to be a member of Fargo Kiwanis?

The first thing to know is that we are a community that cares for each other and the community, and we have a good time doing it.

Our weekly lunch meetings are fun, lively gatherings with good food and great programming.

We have a diverse cross-section of members, from new professionals to retired executives. Together, we all form the glue that holds our club together. It's a wonderful mix of new voices and seasoned hands that give our club vibrancy, longevity, and a strong culture focused on the Kiwanis mission of supporting the youth in our community.

Fargo Kiwanis celebrated its 100th anniversary a few years ago, a remarkable milestone in a world where fleeting fads often dominate headspace. Our club is here to stay, with Fourth-generation Kiwanians sitting alongside first generation Americans. You never know who you're going to meet at a Kiwanis meeting!

Every week, we enjoy fascinating presentations that help us learn more about our community. One week we're hearing from a new non-profit helping a disadvantaged population. The next we're learning about an innovative new business hoping to make a splash. Our members soak it in among an atmosphere of music, fellowship, and friendship.

Once a year, we sponsor our Pancake Karnival at the Fargodome. Thousands of people flock to our event to enjoy pancakes, one-of-a-kind sausage, inflatable games, and a unique community atmosphere. it's a large effort for our club members that produces amazing rewards for our members in working together, our guests to gather and enjoy each other, and our community in the funds we raise to give back.

Fargo Kiwanis is a place to belong, to give back, to enjoy a nice weekly lunch with wonderful people, to learn, and to grow as we take our vibrant, enthusiastic Kiwanis community into a vibrant, growing Fargo to make good things happen.

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The proceeds from this year's Fargo Kiwanis Pancake Karnival will support our partnership with the Fargo Park District to create a new natural wellness area in the revitalized Island Park in Fargo.

Island Park is one of Fargo's lifestyle gems and we are honored to be part of its revitalization. The planned wellness area in the southeast corner of the park will feature areas designed for visitors to find peace of mind in a quiet, natural setting.

Construction on the wellness area will begin in the spring of 2025. The planning process has been a wonderful collaboration between Fargo Kiwanis, the Fargo Park District, and local higher education.

The space's overall design and artistic flourishes were shaped by art students at Minnesota State University-Moorhead collaborating with landscape architecture students at North Dakota State University.

Together, the partnering entities are creating something beautiful and unique to the region - a natural space for reflection, free from distraction and surrounded by imagery and design to help individuals find their center. We couldn't be more excited to sponsor a project so needed, so beautiful, and so permanent.

We hope you consider supporting our mission and join us for our 67th Pancake Karnival, a family focused, locally driven event.

Scroll down for renderings and more information about the Island Park Project.

The Island Park Project is a visionary wellness retreat collaboration between Fargo Kiwanis, the Fargo Park District, and local academic institutions.

Nestled in the serene southeast corner of historic Island Park in Fargo, this retreat will provide a peaceful haven for individuals and families to pause, reconnect with nature, and embrace mindfulness. With an ideal blend of art and natural beauty, the Island Park Project will create an inspiring space for all to recharge and enjoy the calming influence of the outdoors. This welcoming oasis is thoughtfully crafted to be a rejuvenating destination for the entire community to enjoy.

Why It Matters

Mental health challenges are on the rise, and access to supportive resources remains limited. Studies show that time spent in nature significantly improves mental health, reduces stress, and enhances overall happiness. By combining green spaces, individual pocket parks, and opportunities for connection, the Island Park Project seeks to address this critical need in our community.

Youth Inspiration

Pre-design for the project began in December 2022, when the Fargo Park District and the Kiwanis Club of Fargo presented a proposal to students at North Dakota State University and Moorhead State University-Moorhead.

In Spring 2023, students collaborated to explore well-being strategies in the design. NDSU's semester project focused on green spaces, producing 11 detailed video design developments. Each project was reviewed and pieces that aligned with the project vision were identified for further development.

The renderings on this page illustrate detailed concepts for this project. We are deeply proud to be part of it and can't wait to see it develop!

Get creative with our Pancake Karnival Coloring Contest! We're inviting all young artists aged 10 and under to participate in this fun and exciting activity.

Remember, each child can submit one entry, so let your imagination run wild! We can't wait to see all the amazing artwork at the Pancake Karnival.

1. Download and print the coloring sheet provided here.
2. Show off your artistic skills by coloring and decorating the page.
3. Bring your masterpiece to the 67th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Karnival and submit it for a chance to win an incredible $500 Scheels gift card!