This week in Madison County…
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
Many hands make light work. Sign up to volunteer for Covered Bridge Festival today!
Covered Bridge Festival 2026
It takes a village to put on a festival of this size and we couldn’t do it without hundreds of volunteers like you!
Please click on the link below to sign up to help – even a couple of hours will go a long way to the success of the festival.
Sign up today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FA9AF2FA5F5C16-64802542-2026#/
Today/Tonight
Stitch-In at the Museum
Thursday • October 8 • 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Iowa Quilt Museum
Floral Ghost Workshop
Thursday • October 8 • 5:30-7:00 pm
Evergreen & Lily Floral
Thank you to our sponsors!
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This Week!
Senior Speaker Series
Friday • October 9 • 10:00 am
Bricker Price Block, Earlham
It’s a GREAT day to be a Citizen—
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This Weekend!
2026 Covered Bridge Festival
Saturday • October 10 • 9:00 am-7:00 pm
Sunday • October 11 • 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Winterset Town Square
Please join us in Madison County, Iowa, for the 2026 Madison County Covered Bridge Festival! Saturday, October 10th, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday, October 11th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (parade starts at 3:00). Every second full weekend in October since 1970, the Winterset courthouse square fills with over 140 food, and arts and crafts vendors, continuous live music, children’s activities, and much more. Don’t miss Madison County’s signature annual event! $3.00 at the gate only! Children 11 & under are free.
The Iowa Theater: Open House
Saturday • October 10 • 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday • October 11 • 11:00 am-2:00 pm
The Iowa Theater
Live Music & BBQ at Big Rack
Saturday • October 10 • 6:00-9:00 pm
Big Rack Brew Haus
Saturday, October 10
Family Reserve Band at Big Rack | 6-9 pm
Come on out to Big Rack for some live music by the Family Reserve Band, great food by White Smoke BBQ, and of course, all of your favorite Big Rack beer on tap and other tasty beverages!
Family Reserve Band is from Central Iowa and plays bluegrass, folk, and Americana music from the heart.
Tom Shadonix (fiddle, vocals)
Paul Rodgers (guitar, banjo, vocals)
Grant Rodgers (guitar, vocals)
Tom Rodgers (mandolin, harmonica, vocals)
Devin Sietstra (bass)
$5 cover charge for the music, and cash or Venmo for food.
See you there!
For updates and info, visit the Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1034169516344496/
WHS Alumni All Class Reunion
Saturday • October 10 • 5:00-8:30 pm
Jackson Building
WHS Alumni All Class Reunion
Saturday, October 10th from 5-8:30pm
Location: Jackson Building
All Alumni welcome
Car Show at Covered Bridge Festival
Sunday • October 11 • 9:00 am-12:00 pm
by Central Iowa Auto Club at Covered Bridge Festival
Remax Precision: Acreage For Sale
Additional Property Details
Additional Photos
Virtual Tour and Floor Plan
Video Walkthrough
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Next Week
Shop Iowa Day – Support Small Businesses!
Thursday • October 14
Shop Iowa Day Celebration of Iowa Small Businesses!
Date: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
General Shopping: All day until 11:59 p.m.
Location: Online at Shop Iowa
Pop into the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center & Gift Shop for a full selection of locally made items. A selection is available online at https://www.shopiowa.com/vendor/madison-county-chamber-of-commerce/ And be sure to support other local small business here in Madison County: https://www.exploremadisoncounty.com/shop/
Customers can shop amazing deals throughout the day, with early access beginning the night before at 6 p.m. for our email and text subscribers. Subscribe here: shopiowa.com/join-email-list
Pasta Dinner
Saturday • October 17 • 5:00 pm
The Winterset Livery
“A Panini Bit Tipsy “
Saturday • October 15 • 6:00 pm
Speckled Hen Farms
Join us at Speckled Hen Farms for this flavorful evening of pressed perfection! We’re pairing 4 handcrafted, seasonal paninis with 4 thoughtfully selected wines from Covered Bridges Winery, featuring special guest award winning winemaker Kevin Fifo! Your ticket price includes live jazz music by The Thankful Band! Reservations are required Head to our website at www.speckledhenfarmsiowa.com under the events tab and reserve your spot!
Decades on the Orchard
Saturday • October 17 • 5:00-11:00 pm
Winterset Cidery
Get ready to rewind. For one day only, we’re taking over the orchard with nonstop music from the 60s through the 2000s. Winterset, lowa becomes the soundtrack of every era you love.
From classic rock to 90s alt to early-2000s emo anthems, each set is crafted to take you back!
Live on stage:
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
- Not Quite Brothers
- Emo Kids
Plus: - local vendors
- Food trucks serving up delicious eats
- Craft ciders, beer, and ice-cold beverages from lowa brewers Bring your crew, your blankets, and your love for every decade.
Spread out under the open sky, wander the orchard paths, or post up near the stage!
Unfiltered Events is creating a place to connect, celebrate, and feel rooted.
Tickets on sale now.
EMO KIDS LIVE — Winterset Cidery
Saturday, October 17, 2026, Winterset, lowa
Doors: 7:00 PM | 21+
Emo Kids brings a nationally touring, full-band emo/pop-punk live experience packed with the songs people grew up screaming along to.
https://emo-kids.com/
Upcoming Events at Big Rack
Big Rack Brew Haus
Pumpkin Painting & Halloween Movies in the Park
Saturday • October 17 • 5:00pm & 6:30 pm
Winterset City Park
Get ready for a spooky-fun evening under the stars on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Winterset City Park! Sponsored by Homefront Real Estate, join Friends of Winterset Parks & Recreation and Winterset Parks & Recreation for mini pumpkin painting at 5:00 PM at the North Shelter, followed by a Halloween double feature beginning at 6:30 PM on the lawn.
Enjoy It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Hocus Pocus, plus popcorn, candy, hot cocoa-and now pulled pork sandwiches from the Madison County Pork Producers! Movies are free, and food and concessions are available for a free-will donation.
Bring the family, a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a little Halloween magic in the park! Rain date: October 24.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Coming Soon
Omitel Bingo Night
Tuesday • October 20 • 6:00 pm
Red Acre Barn, Prole
Micro Retreat
Tuesday • October 22 • 5:30-8:00 pm
Iris Aisle
Micro Retreat | Iris Aisle
Breath • Sound • Cacao • Soup
You’re invited into an intimate evening at Iris Aisle, a serene countryside sanctuary in Winterset.
This micro retreat offers a sacred pause. Through intentional practices and nourishing ritual, we’ll create space to slow down, soften, and return to yourself.
What you’ll experience:
* Ceremonial Cacao to open the heart and ground the body
* Guided Breathwork to support release and invite clarity
* Light Language to support energetic recalibration and flow
* Immersive Sound Bath to support grounding and nervous system regulation
* Garden-Fresh Soup to nourish and gently integrate the experience
No prior experience is needed. Come exactly as you are.
This space is for you if you’re craving:
* Deep rest and nervous system regulation
* Heart-centered connection and grounding
* A soulful pause to realign and restore
Spots are intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate and supportive.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Iris Isle.
With Gratitude,
Amy of Golden Aura Alchemy
Kristina of The Lighthouse
Erin, our angel
To join us: https://heal.me/thelighthouse/events/microretreat
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe by The Winterset Stage
October 22 – 25, 2026
The Iowa Theater
This dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic work faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life.
Haunted Harvest Festival
Saturday • October 24
Madison County Conservation Center
Sip, Sound, Savor
Saturday • October 24 • 5:30-8:00 pm
Covered Bridges Winery
Hey Misters will be serving up your favorite fare at the Covered Bridges Winery. Concert artist to be released at a later date. We will post updates as we get them.
Orchard Holiday Market
Saturday-Sunday • October 31-November 1 • 12:00-5:00 pm
Winterset Cidery
JOIN US FOR AN ORCHARD HOLIDAY MARKET!
We’re bringing a little holiday magic to the orchard! Winterset Cidery is partnering with Xperience Candle Bar to host a unique and festive Holiday Market featuring local vendors, shopping, and a fun weekend at the Cidery!
14 Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1 12-5 PM both days, at Winterset Cidery.
Shop local vendors and find something special for everyone on your holiday list!
SATURDAY NIGHT | 5-8 PM
Stick around after the market for live music by FunHouse and enjoy a Saturday evening at the Cidery!
ARE YOU A VENDOR?
We’d love to have you join us! Vendor applications are now open. Apply using the link below: https://docs.google.com/../1FAlpQLSf35iMjPkG../viewform..
And stay tuned… we’ll be announcing our AMAZING vendor lineup soon!
Come shop local, sip some cider, and kick off the holiday season with us!
FunHouse Live at the Cidery
Saturday • October 31 • 5:00-8:00 pm
Winterset Cidery
Celebrate Halloween with FunHouse at Winterset Cidery!
Join us on Friday, October 31, for an evening of live classic rock, handcrafted lowa hard cider, and beautiful orchard views at one of Central low’s most unique venues. The cidery is known for its locally crafted hard ciders, spacious tasting room, and scenic outdoor setting overlooking the orchard.
Costumes are encouraged (but not required), so come dressed up if you want!
Friday, October 31 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Winterset Cidery
1638 Highway 169, Winterset, IA
Grab your friends, enjoy a crisp cider, and spend Halloween rocking with FunHouse. We can’t wait to see you there!
Trick or Treat Around the Square
Friday • October 30 • 3:30-5:00 pm
Winterset Town Square
🎃 Downtown Trick-or-Treating is Coming! 👻
In partnership with the City of Winterset, we’re excited to welcome families downtown for an afternoon of Halloween fun!
Friday, October 30th – 3:30–5:00 PM
Downtown Merchants: If you would like to participate, please plan to set up outside your front door to hand out treats during the event.
REMINDER: We will not be placing participation decals in business windows. Setting up outside will make it easy for families to see which businesses are participating as they make their way around downtown. If you are NOT located on the downtown square but would like to participate, reach out to the chamber and we will help find an available location for you.
We’re looking forward to a fun afternoon of costumes, treats, and community in Downtown Winterset!
Women’s Giving Circle Holiday Potluck Party
Tuesday • November 10 • 6:00-7:00 pm
Union State Bank Community Room, Winterset
Madison County Women’s Giving Circle 2026 4th quarter Holiday potluck/party
The Madison County Women’s Giving Circle 4th quarter Holiday Potluck/party will be November 10th, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Union State Bank Community Room, 611 West Hwy 92, Winterset. You may come at 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm if you wish to socialize more. There will not be a “business” meeting. Please bring your check for your annual donation to our Community Foundation Account. You are also encouraged to bring a snack, side, dessert, etc. to share at the potluck. Feel free to invite potential members to join us to learn more about the organization.
Chamber Members: We would love to include your upcoming events in the weekly snapshot, Chamber Chat and The Citizen.
Chamber Chat is great for business-to-business communication, while The Citizen is the perfect way to reach the wider community!
To ensure you get included, please email your event information to communications@madisoncounty.com by the Friday before publication.
