Two full days of arts and crafts, food, demonstrations, covered bridges, and special events to celebrate being reunited!

Activities:

As you’re strolling the square and visiting the community, there are lots of activities to enjoy. Pick up a printed schedule at the gate, or check it out online right here!

Schedule:

Friday, October 7, 2022

8:30am: Annual Covered Bridges of Madison County Antique Tractor Ride, Madison County Fairgrounds. (Contact: Curtis Saveraid, 515-210-7806)

Saturday, October 8, 2022

6:00-11:00am: Winterset Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast, Winterset Fire Station (corner of Court Ave and 2nd Street); $8/adults, free for children 3 and under)

7:00am: Covered Bridge Race 5K Walk/Run, Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge in Winterset City Park (8:45 am Children’s Event; 9 am 5K. Sponsored by the Winterset Rotary Club.

8:30am: Annual Covered Bridges of Madison County Antique Tractor Ride. Madison County Fairgrounds. (Contact Curtis Saveraid – 515-210- 7806)

8:30am: Annual Horseshoe Tournament, Madison County Fairgrounds. (8:30-9:30am registration and warm-up; 10 am pitching.) $10 entry fee. Sanctioned and unsanctioned members welcome. Contact Kris Jordan, (515) 669-3085

9:00am – 5:00pm: Covered Bridge Festival on the Madison County Courthouse Square in Winterset (arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and entertainment; $2 admission fee at the gates; children 12 and under free.)

Activities from 9:00am - 5:00pm include:

Kids’ Activities:

- Live Entertainment (See Benge-Penrod Stage schedule)
- Farmers Market (located along Court Ave at the SW corner of the square)
- John Wayne Birthplace and Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $15/adults, $14/seniors, $8/children 12 years and under)
- “Mary Barton Quilt and Textile Legacy” Exhibit, Iowa Quilt Museum (503 Court Ave; $6 admission)

10:00am: Junior Spelling bee at First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson

10:00am to 3:00pm: Covered Bridge School Bus Tours – 2-hour guided tours by Winterset Rotary Club; $10, purchase tickets at the Rotary ticket booth on the SW side of the festival grounds. (110 W. Washington Street)

10:00am - 5:00pm: Passport to the Past at the Madison County Historical Complex (915 S. 2nd Avenue). Activities include wood carving and leather working demonstrations, free horse and wagon rides, History on the Move: Iowa’s People and Places; a George Stout art exhibit, and museum tours.

1:00pm: Senior Spelling Bee at First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson

1:00pm - 4:00pm: Winterset High School Alumni Welcome Reception in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank Community Room.

4:00pm: A Civil War Skirmish takes place on the north lawn of the Madison County Historical Complex.

5:00 to 9:00pm: “Winterset High School All-Class Reunion, Jackson Community Building at the Madison County Fairgrounds.

6:45pm: Join the Madison County Historical Complex for free S’mores and popcorn. Lawn chairs from home are encouraged.

7:15pm: Nighttime Civil War cannon firing at the Historical Complex. (Free)

Sunday, October 9, 2022

6:00 to 11:00am: Winterset Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast, Winterset Fire Station (corner of Court Ave and 2nd Street); $8/adults, free for children 3 and under)

8:00am - 12:00pm: Registration for the Annual Madison County Car Show, 110 W. Washington Street. Hosted by the Central Iowa Auto Club; judging begins at 1:30pm and awards are presented at 3:00 pm. Entry fee: $20 at the gate

9:00am - 5:00pm: Covered Bridge Festival on the Madison County Courthouse Square in Winterset (arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and entertainment; $2 admission fee at the gates; children 12 and under free.)

Activities from 9:00am - 5:00pm include:

- Kids’ Activities: Creation Station and Carver Park (E. Court by fire station.) Meet local artists, make-and-take art activities, explorer challenges and more!
- Live Entertainment (see stage schedule)
- Farmers Market (located along Court Ave at the SW corner of the square)
- John Wayne Birthplace and Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $15/adults, $14/seniors, $8/children 12 years and under)
- “Mary Barton Quilt and Textile Legacy” Exhibit, Iowa Quilt Museum, (503 Court Ave; $6 admission)

10:00am - 12:00pm: Covered Bridge School Bus Tours – 2-hour guided tours by Winterset Rotary Club; $10, purchase tickets at the Rotary ticket booth on the SW side of the festival grounds. (110 W. Washington Street)

11:00am - 4:00pm: Passport to the Past at the Madison County Historical Complex (915 S.2nd Avenue). Activities include wood carving and leather working demonstrations, free horse and wagon rides, History on the Move: Iowa’s People and Places; a George Stout art exhibit, and museum tours.

3:00pm: Covered Bridge Festival Parade. Lineup begins at 1pm in the Winterset High School parking lot. The parade route starts at the Winterset High School where it heads north on 8th Avenue, then east on Court Street to 2nd Ave for one block before turning south on 2nd . It then turns east onto Washington Street, makes a left onto 4th Street, then continues east on Court Street just past 10th Street.

Click Here for Application

Click Here for Route Map

Date: October 8 - 9, 2022

Time: 9am - 5pm

Location: Various Venues in Winterset, IA 50273.

Admission:

$3.00, or 2 for $5.00 (FREE for children under 11)
No Smoking, and only service animals are allowed on Festival grounds (this does not include emotional support or therapy animals).

Click Here for More Information