The 44th Annual Madison County

Covered Bridge Festival

"The Bridges are calling"

October 12th & 13th, 2013

The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival has been a time-honored tradition in Madison County, Iowa since 1970. Each year on the second full weekend in October, county residents gather under the brilliant hues of autumn to celebrate their historic covered bridges. The festival features a wide variety of food, antique and craft vendors, nonstop music and entertainment, artisans demonstrating the old-fashioned ways, qulit show, car show, an antique vehicle parade, guided bus tours of the covered bridges, and so much more.

Submit your Memorable Madison County Stories!

This year's 44th Annual Covered Bridge Festival will take place October 12th - 13th & the theme is "The Bridges are Calling" We welcome all visitors and residents of our county to share your stories of exploration, love, or what experiences enticed you to make Madison County your home!

If you have not yet experienced all that we have to offer, there is still plenty of time to create your own stories of Madison County. If you are seeking to recapture that old “hometown” feeling you remember from your youth, or you simply find the small-town, rural way of life appealing, it still exists in Madison County!

DETAILS VERY SOON!!!!

Fabulous Foods to Tickle The Palette! No matter what kind of food you might have a hankerin’ for, you just might find it at the Festival—and a few you didn’t expect, too!

Nonstop Music & Entertainment! Sit a spell and enjoy musicans and singers of all kinds, gymnasts, square dancers, barbershop quartet, spelling bees, belt buckle auction and much more all weekend.

Antique and Classic Auto Show - Hosted by The Central Iowa Auto Club Bright and early at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 14th, registration begins for the 27th Annual Madison County Car Show. Registration runs until 12:00 p.m. noon and judging will take place from noon until 1:30 p.m. The show features hundreds of beautifully restored cars and trucks vying for awards in many different classes. For more information contact Terry Housman by calling 515.462.4648. If registrations are received by September 26th you will receive a free t-shirt!

“Passport to the Past” Activities: A Great Way to Learn About Madison County! A program designed for kids and their families to celebrate Madison County’s culture and history. Kids 12 and under get a “passport” stamped at 8 stations. With 6 stamps they receive a prize. Activities include old fashioned lessons and games at Tusha School at the Madison County Museum, scavenger hunts, a Courthouse tour, storytelling at the Passport to the Past tent, and hands-on activities at the Library, Art Center and Carver Park. More information at www.passporttothepast.com.
	Plant a peanut with George Washington Carver at Carver Memorial park.		The Storytelling Tent features great storytellers and games.

Visitors can take guided tours of the magnificent Courthouse right in the center of the Square.

FREE shuttle rides from the Square to the Historical Complex and the Birthplace of John Wayne delight visitors with the hitch of four powerful Clydesdales.

Archive Links:

VENDOR INFORMATION:

The deadline for all Vendors is August 1st, 2013.

The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival Committee and Madison County Chamber of Commerce invite your business or organization to consider participating at our 44th Annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival being held on October 12 & 13, 2013.

We have 7 categories for you to consider:

1. ARTS & CRAFTS - $175.00 for a 10 X 10 foot space
2. FOOD - $400.00 per vendor. Please include size of trailer/booth with application (Free electricity and grease disposal included)
3. NON – PROFIT FOOD - $250.00 for 501c3 organizations. Please include size of trailer/booth with application (Free electricity and grease disposal included)
4. FARMER’S MARKET - $50.00 for a 10 X 10 foot space
5. “MADE IN MADISON COUNTY” - $50.00 for space in our double booth located in front of the Chamber office – (Each participant is required to work a portion of the event)
6. WINERIES - $175.00 for a 10 X 10 foot space
7. DEMONSTRATOR – (FREE) If you have an “old time product” you would like to show off to the crowds, we encourage you to apply! Gas reimbursement is available.

If you feel your product falls into one of these 7 categories, we strongly urge you to request the appropriate application as soon as possible. Applications can be found below. All vendors must submit photographs of their booth and product at the time of application. Application deadline is August 1, 2013 and all selected vendors will be notified by August 15^th. Food vendors, Farmers Market and Wineries must also submit proof of insurance along with their applications.

The Festival Committee would like to encourage our vendors to dress and decorate their booths in the “Spirit of the Pioneer Era”! Prizes will be awarded.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.

Kayla Hawkins cbf@madisoncounty.com

Click here for the 2013 Food Vendor Application

Click here for the 2013 Non-Profit Food Vendor Application

Click here for the 2013 Winery Vendor Application

Click here for the 2013 Arts & Craft Application

Click here for the 2013 Demonstrator Application

Interested in selling a few items at the Covered Bridge Festival but do not have enough product for your own booth? We've got good news! Once again, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce welcomes Madison County residents to sell their products in the Made in Madison County booth. Please see application below for more details.

Click here for the 2013 Made In Madison County Application

Click here for the 2013 Farmers Market Application

Click here for the 2013 King & Queen Nomination Form