Madison County Covered Bridge Festival

The first Madison County Covered Bridge Festival was held in 1970, started by a group of active and passionate citizens. Every second full weekend in October, the Winterset courthouse square is filled with over 150 food, and arts and crafts vendors, old-time demonstrations, live music, children's activities, and much more. If you’d like to visit some of our historic covered bridges during the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, there’s an easy way to do it! The Winterset Rotary Club hosts bus tours of the covered bridges on Saturday from 10am to 3pm and Sunday from 10am to Noon. Tickets can be purchased at the Rotary booth on 1st Avenue near the Winterset Livery. The Covered Bridge Festival experience would not be complete without a visit to the Madison County Historical Complex for their "History on the Hill" activities, including free admission, horse and wagon rides, a Civil War camp and skirmishes, and Saturday evening s'mores and popcorn event. Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 2 pm. Parking is limited. Free shuttles run between the festival grounds and the historical complex throughout both days. SUNDAY ONLY: Just off the square around the Winterset Elementary School, the massive car show organized by the Central Iowa Auto Club is a car-lovers dream! The Covered Bridges Festival parade takes place at 3 pm on Sunday as well.