Schedule is subject to change.

Friday, October 8

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

Saturday, October 9

6:00 – 11:00 am Winterset Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast, Fire Station SE of festival grounds; $8 adults, Free for children 3 and under.

7:00 am 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. Click here for registration and more information.

8:30 am Annual Covered Bridges of Madison County Antique Tractor Ride, Madison County Fairgrounds. 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. Mayor of Peru, Kris Jordan, (515) 669-3085

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; $2 admission fee at the gates; children 12 & under free.)

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

  • Kids’ Activities:
  • Live Entertainment (see stage schedule)
  • Covered Bridge Quilt Show, Winterset Elementary School (enter on 4th Avenue; $5 admission)
  • Farmers Market (located along Court Ave at the SW corner of the square)
  • John Wayne Birthplace & Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $15/adults, $14/seniors, $8/children 12 years and under)
  • Iowa Quilt Museum Tours (503 Court Ave; $6 admission)

10:00 am — 4:00 pm Winterset Art Center, James Graham Exhibit (224 S. John Wayne Drive)

10:00 am — 3:00 pm 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)

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

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

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

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

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 10

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; $2 admission fee at the gates; children 12 & under free.)

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

  • Kids’ Activities:
  • Live Entertainment (see stage schedule)
  • Farmers Market (located along Court Ave at the SW corner of the square)
  • John Wayne Birthplace & Museum Tours (205 S. John Wayne Drive; $15/adults, $14/seniors, $8/children 12 years and under)
  • Iowa Quilt Museum Tours (503 Court Ave; $6 admission)

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

10:00 am to 12:00 pm — 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)