Most people including the citizens of Algona do not know that the city was the site of a POW camp holding approximately 10,000 German prisoners during World War II. The Camp Algona POW museum holds exhibits representing this period in the history of the city. The new Water’s Edge Nature center lies on Smith Lake and provides campers, hikers, and day visitors the opportunity for self guided educational displays and views of wildlife. The annual Algona Band Day festival held at the end of September or the beginning of October usually attracts bands from Iowa and Minnesota to compete for awards in the parade and field show competitions. The bands parade along State street and are joined by floats from area businesses and organizations. Everyone looks forward to the drum line performances following the parade by percussionists from several of the high school bands. The field show competition takes place at the Algona High School football field.