Civil Municipal - April 2024

Beyond its outdoor offerings, Fairmont has strong roots in the arts and entertainment industry. The Fairmont Opera House, a gorgeous old building east of Lake Sisseton, has operated in the area for nearly 150 years. The opera house is a cultural staple in the community, boosting residents’ spirits and shaping their perspective with local and professional plays, plus live music. With so much rural space separating counties, Fairmont offers a surprisingly abundant array of quality shopping centers. The Five Lakes Center, located off Highway 15, is the biggest draw in the area. “Throughout northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, in smaller communities, we sit in the middle and have a real nice draw for people to come and shop and take advantage of our retailers,” says Koppen. “And we have great hospitality as well. Whether 84 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04