Kasson, MN Largest City in Dodge County
A thriving city 13 miles west of Rochester — home to the KoMets, the Midwest's biggest truck show, Minnesota's oldest county fair, and a grid-tied renewable energy future.
Kasson — Rochester's Thriving Western Neighbor
Kasson is the largest city in Dodge County, Minnesota, with a population of 6,851 as of the 2020 census. Located along U.S. Highway 14 and Minnesota State Highway 57, the city forms a key part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area and serves as a full-service community for residents throughout western Dodge County.
The city was incorporated on February 24, 1870, and named after Jabez Hyde Kasson, owner of the original townsite who settled in the area in 1856. Today Kasson is a growing, forward-thinking community — it already generates 50% of its municipal electricity from wind and renewable sources, exceeding Minnesota's 25% mandate, with solar panels on both City Hall (2011) and the Aquatic Center (2013).
Kasson is also the home of two marquee events that draw visitors from across the Midwest: the Dodge County Free Fair (Minnesota's oldest county fair) and the Big Iron Classic (the Midwest's largest working-class truck show).
Three Signature Events That Define Kasson
Kasson draws visitors from across the region with three annual events that have become institutions of southeastern Minnesota — and in the case of Big Iron, the entire Midwest.
Dodge County Free Fair
Minnesota's Oldest County Fair. Over 165 years of tradition! Features 4-H, FFA, and Open Class exhibits, and grandstand events including bull riding, stock car racing, trailer races, and demolition derby. Free admission except grandstand events.
📍 Dodge County Fairgrounds, 62922 State Hwy 57, Kasson
dodgecountyfreefair.com | (507) 634-7736Festival in the Park
Annual volunteer-organized celebration held the second weekend in August at North Park. Features a parade, fireworks display, Kasson Ambassador ceremony, bellyflop contest, eating contest, and musical showcase. Celebrating Kasson's community heritage since 1991.
📍 North Park, Kasson, MN
Big Iron Classic
Midwest's Largest "Working Class" Truck Show. First weekend after Labor Day. Over 600 semi-truck tractors and trailers on display. Features truck viewing, vendor booths, food, live entertainment, a Friday night light show at dusk, the Saturday "Parade of Big Rigs" through Mantorville, and a truck pull ($10 admission). All other events are free.
bigironclassic.com | (507) 208-0222Parks, Aquatics & Ice Arena
Kasson maintains six city parks and two major recreation facilities serving residents year-round — from summer swimming to winter skating.
Veterans Memorial Park
Kasson's flagship park. Home to the Aquatic Center, tennis courts, sand volleyball pit, ball fields, picnic shelters, and a full playground with slides, swings, and climbing structures.
Lions Park
Skate park, full playground, picnic tables, and open green space. The skate park serves Kasson's younger residents and draws skaters from surrounding communities.
Kasson Meadows Park
Playground and plentiful green space for outdoor activities. A neighborhood park serving the northeastern residential areas of the city.
East Diamond Park
A dedicated baseball and softball diamond serving youth and adult leagues in the community.
Bigelow-Voight NW Park
Green space for outdoor recreation serving the northwest residential neighborhoods.
Blaine's Northeast Park
Green space and recreational area for the northeast side of Kasson.
Kasson-Mantorville Schools — Go KoMets!
Kasson shares a school district with neighboring Mantorville. The K-M KoMets (royal blue and white) compete in the Hiawatha Valley League Conference and Zumbro Education District (ZED).
Kasson-Mantorville High School
101 16th St. NE, Kasson | (507) 634-2961. Home of the KoMets, competing in eight sports across the Hiawatha Valley League. Attendance line: (507) 634-1174.
KMHS Website →
Kasson-Mantorville Middle School
606 16th St. NE, Kasson | (507) 634-4464. Part of the K-M district serving students from Kasson and Mantorville in a tight-knit middle school environment.
Kasson-Mantorville Elementary
Integrated curriculum with a strong reading, math, and science focus. STEM initiative through Project Lead the Way. One of the district's standout early education programs.
KMES Website →
K-M Community Education
Early childhood education and community enrichment programs including the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program. District website: komets.k12.mn.us
Community Ed →
National Register of Historic Places
Kasson is home to five properties on the National Register of Historic Places, anchoring a downtown streetscape that reflects the city's Prairie School roots.
1917
Kasson Municipal Building (Old City Hall)
Designed by the renowned firm Purcell & Elmslie in the Prairie School style. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. One of the finest examples of Prairie School civic architecture in southeastern Minnesota.
Listed
Historic Kasson Water Tower
Located on 4th Avenue NW. A landmark structure recognized on the National Register of Historic Places — a defining feature of Kasson's historic skyline.
Listed
Jacob Leuthold Jr. House
A historic residence recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting the architectural character of Kasson's early residential development.
Listed
Eureka Hotel
A historic commercial building recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Part of the fabric of Kasson's historic downtown commercial district.
1912
Kasson Public School
Historic 1912-era school building placed on the National Register thanks to preservation efforts by KARE (Kasson Alliance for Restoration) — a testament to the community's commitment to its architectural heritage.
Local Attractions, Banking & Lodging
Kasson State Theatre
221 Main Street West. Family-friendly movie theatre featuring the largest curved screen in Southeast Minnesota. Includes a concession stand and a small side room available for private parties. A true community landmark.
kassontheatre.com
Kasson Public Library
16 1st Avenue NW. Community library providing resources, programs, and services for all ages. Overseen by the Library Board, which provides recommendations to the City Council on library policy and operations.
Baymont by Wyndham
301 8th Street SE, Kasson. The area's primary hotel offering comfortable accommodations for visitors to Kasson, the County Fair, Big Iron Classic, and the greater Rochester metro area.
Banking Services
Home Federal Savings Bank — 2 branch locations in Kasson.
Bremer Bank — 1 branch location.
Full-service banking for residents and businesses across Dodge County.
Business & Services in Kasson
As Dodge County's largest city and a Rochester MSA community, Kasson supports a full range of commercial services along the Highway 14 corridor.
🍽️ Food & Dining
- Local restaurants & bars
- Fast food & quick service
- Pizza & casual dining
- Seasonal fair & event vendors
🔧 Home & Auto
- Auto repair & dealerships
- Building & construction
- Farm equipment & supply
- Hardware & home improvement
🏥 Health & Personal
- Medical & dental clinics
- Pharmacy services
- Hair salons & barbers
- Fitness & wellness
🏦 Finance & Professional
- Home Federal Savings Bank (2x)
- Bremer Bank
- Insurance agencies
- Legal & accounting
🏨 Lodging & Travel
- Baymont by Wyndham
- Rolling Hills Transit
- Rochester Int'l Airport access
- DM&E rail freight access
📋 Advertise Here
- Directory on kasson-mn.com
- Hwy 14 corridor audience
- County Fair & Big Iron traffic
- Rochester metro market reach
Is Your Kasson Business Listed?
Reach residents and the thousands of visitors who come to Kasson each year for the County Fair, Big Iron, and Festival in the Park. Directory listings and local SEO available.
List Your Business →
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Explore the Region
Kasson sits in the heart of southeastern Minnesota's Highway 14 corridor. Explore our network of local community directories across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
