Schedule of Events:

Activities

As you’re strolling the square and visiting the community, there are lots of activities to enjoy.

Friday, October 13, 2023

8:30 am: Annual Covered Bridges of Madison County Antique Tractor Ride.
Departs from Madison County Fairgrounds then visit five historic covered bridges and Clark Tower in City Park. $25 entry fee. Contact: Curtis Saveraid, 515-210-7806

Saturday, October 14, 2023

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

8:30 am: Annual Covered Bridges of Madison County Antique Tractor Ride. Departs from Madison County Fairgrounds then highlights hills and valleys on scenic country roads. $25 entry fee. Contact: Curtis Saveraid, 515-210-7806

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

9:00am: 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.

9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Covered Bridge Festival on the Madison County Courthouse Square in Winterset (arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and entertainment); $3 admission fee (or 2 for $5) at the gates; children 12 & under free.

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

Kids’ Activities

Live Entertainment (See Benge and Penrod Stage schedules)

Farmers Market (located along W. Court Ave)

John Wayne Birthplace & Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $20/adults, $19/seniors, $17/veterans, $10/children 8-12 years, Free/children 7 years and under

“Fiber Art Now’s 2022 Excellence in Quilts” Exhibit, Iowa Quilt Museum (503 Court Ave; $8/adults, $7/seniors/active military/veterans, $5/students w/ID & children (3-12 yrs), Free/IQM members

Winterset 3-6 grade students will have selected artwork on exhibit at the Winterset Art Center throughout the festival. Free admission.

All Day: WHS Class of 1962 60th Class Reunion at the VFW Hall (located behind the Winterset Public Library on N. 3rd Street)

10am: Junior Spelling Bee, First United Methodist Church, 309 E Jefferson

10:00 am to 3:00 pm: Covered Bridge School Bus Tours – 2-hour guided tours by Winterset Rotary Club; $15, purchase tickets at the Rotary ticket booth on the SW side of the festival grounds. (110 W. Washington Street)

10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Passport to the Past at the Madison County Historical Complex (915 S. 2nd Avenue). Activities include blacksmith demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides around the complex, penny candy at the Field Mercantile, historical Bevington mansion tours, pop-up exhibit showcasing the 150th anniversary of the Red Delicious apple and Jesse Hiatt, as well as museum tours.

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

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

5:00-9:00 pm: WHS All Class Reunion, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 1026 N. 8th Ave.

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

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

Sunday, October 15, 2023

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

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

9:00 am to 5:00 pm: Covered Bridge Festival on the Madison County Courthouse Square in Winterset (arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and entertainment); $3 admission fee (or 2 for $5) at the gates; children 12 & under free.

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

Kids’ Activities

Live Entertainment (See Benge and Penrod Stage schedules)

Farmers Market (located along Court Ave at the SW corner of the square)

John Wayne Birthplace & Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $20/adults, $19/seniors, $17/veterans, $10/children 8-12 years, Free/children 7 years and under

“Fiber Art Now’s 2022 Excellence in Quilts” Exhibit, Iowa Quilt Museum (503 Court Ave; $8/adults, $7/seniors/active military/veterans, $5/students w/ID & children (3-12 yrs), Free/IQM members

Winterset 3-6 grade students will have selected artwork on exhibit at the Winterset Art Center throughout the festival. Free admission. An awards presentation for the students and their families will be held Sunday at 1:30 PM

10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Covered Bridge School Bus Tours – 2-hour guided tours by Winterset Rotary Club; $15, purchase tickets at the Rotary ticket booth on the SW side of the festival grounds. (110 W. Washington Street)

10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Passport to the Past at the Madison County Historical Complex (915 S. 2nd Avenue). Activities include blacksmith demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides around the complex, penny candy at the Field Mercantile, historical Bevington mansion tours, pop-up exhibit showcasing the 150th anniversary of the Red Delicious apple and Jesse Hiatt, as well as museum tours.

3:00 pm: Covered Bridge Festival Parade. Lineup begins at 2 pm in the Winterset High School parking lot. The parade route starts at the 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.

Entertainment

This year’s festival entertainment is better than ever! The Wild Woods Band, the James Bhein Band, The Bird Hunters and more.

Benge Family Stage

Saturday, October 14th:

9:00 - 9:05am: National Anthem, Brady Pugh
9:05 - 9:15am: Presentations, Amara Huffine
9:30 - 10:15am: Tutor 3 (Sue Hansen & Friends)
10:15 - 10:45am: Bell Up Dance Troupe
10:45 - 11:30am: Czech It Out Polka Group
11:30 - 12:00pm: Spotlight Dance Legacy
12:00 - 12:45pm: The Benge Family
12:45 - 1:15pm: WHS Dance Team
1:15 - 2:00pm: Liv McNair
2:30 - 3:15pm: The Wild Woods Band
3:45 - 5:00pm: The James Bhein Band

Sunday, October 15th

9:00 - 10:00am: The Abe Miller Band
10:00 - 10:30am: Debbies School of Dance
11:45 - 12:30pm: The Flying Silos
12:30 - 1:00pm: Spotlight Dance Legacy
1:00 - 1:45pm: Chris Powell
2:15 - 3:00pm: The Bird Hunters

Date: October 14-15, 2023

Time: 9am to 5pm

Location: Madison County Chamber of Commerce - 73 Jefferson Street, Winterset, IA

Admission: $3.00, or 2 for $5.00 (FREE for children under 11)

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