What's happening and where to find it in Madison County, Iowa

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The Citizen • March 26

This week in Madison County…

Senior Speaker Series – Bricker-Price Block

Friday, March 27, 10 AM
The Life of a Beekeeper: A Year in the Bee Yard


Tonight

The Electric Horseman

Thursday • March 19 • 7:00pm
Throwback Thursday at The Iowa Theater

1/2 off popcorn on Throwback Thursday!

1979, Rated PG, 2 hr, 1 min

Magic: The Gathering

Quest Haven Books & Comics
Friday, March 27, 5-10pm
104 N 1st Avenue, Winterset

Ready to tap into the excitement of Magic: The Gathering? Whether you’re a beginner just learning the ropes, a casual player looking to have fun, or a seasoned planeswalker, Friday Night Magic at Quest Haven is the place to be!

  • Admission: $5
  • Format: Commander
  • Prizes: Win awesome rewards like card packs, posters, free Super Sodas, snacks, and more!
  • Bring your deck, your friends, and your best strategies for an evening of epic battles, great camaraderie, and plenty of adventure.

🔥 Don’t miss your chance to join the fun and be part of the Quest Haven MTG community!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Click on ads to learn more.


Friday Fish Fry

Every Friday through March 27th • 5:30-7:00 pm
St. Joseph Catholic Church

The Saint Joseph Knights of Columbus are once again serving up their famous Lenten Fish Fry. This is an all-you-can-eat meal for a free-will offering. The menu includes:

  • Alaskan Baked or Fried Fish
  • Baked Potato or Fries
  • Baked Beans
  • Coleslaw
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Variety of Desserts
  • Kids Menu Available: Cheese Pizza & Fruit Cups

Movie at The Iowa Theater:
Project Hail Mary

  • Friday, March 27 – 7:00PM
  • Saturday, March 28 – 7:00PM
  • Sunday, March 29 – 2:00PM

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity – but he may not have to do it alone.

2026 Rated PG, 2hr, 27min

Winterset Student Council

Friday, March 27th • 7:00-8:30 pm

Winterset High School
$15 per couple, $5 each additional boy in advance
$20 at the door (plus $5)

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This Weekend!


Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch

March 28-29th & April 4th, 10am-5pm

Join us for 3 fun filled days of Easter activities for the whole family!

March 28th-29th & April 4th 2026 10am-5pm

🐣 Egg Palooza is our Easter celebration on the farm!
A fun, organized, chaos-free Easter egg hunt paired with activities the whole family will love.

🌷 What to Expect
This event is designed so kids can enjoy the hunt without the madness, and families can relax and have fun together.

🥚 Chaos-free egg hunt
🐰 Easter-themed activities
🌾 Farm fun & photo ops
🍿 Concessions available
🛍 Farm market open

🎟 Tickets are on sale now!

https://howellsgreenhouseandpumpkinpatch.myshopify.com/products/egg-palooza-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawQyOodleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiZEMyU29rNEJHSElCdThjc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqE3isBVJNfEgiwzqItk4RwfpTEfkr295181zYWRg-dBPs9DLVyiETdw1hCv_aem_XE991mNPThlt7WC1lNrijA
Advance ticket purchase is recommended — capacity is limited.

(Egg hunt takes place in a designated area — eggs are empty and turned in for prizes.) 

The Warehouse On 2nd

Pink Kodiak Album Release
Saturday, March 28, 6pm

In 2025, Pink Kodiak recorded an album, YARN. Join them to celebrate it’s realese on all streaming platforms. 

Pink Kodiak is the creative project of Jeremy Hilbert—a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer whose work is rooted in honesty and instinct. Formerly a member of Red Letter Casino, Dare Dukes, and Oryx & Crake, Hilbert uses Pink Kodiak as a more intimate outlet, one that feels personal, unfiltered, and close to the bone.

Paste Magazine summed it up best: “Pixies + The Postal Service = party.” The songs pull directly from what’s seen, felt, and lived—no mask, no distance. Sonically, Pink Kodiak resists neat labels. You might hear death-pop. Maybe Casiolecto. Possibly Yamaha fuzz. Or something else entirely.

It’s genre-defining by nature, not by design. Just press play—and enjoy.

Flourish & Summerset Realty
Easter Festival

Saturday, March 28, 3-5pm

Thank you to our sponsors!

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Covered Bridges Winery
Looking For Luke

Saturday, March 28, 6:30-9:30pm

$5 Cover Charge per person
Music from 6:30-9:30pm
Matthew Kiger, Mark Christensen & John O’Neal; Three guys playing acoustic music ranging from classic rock, pop & country to some of today’s hit songs. As a group we enjoy singing music that all ages can sit back & enjoy. Come on out to hear songs from artists like Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, The Eagles, up to current acts like Little Big Town, Ed Sheeran & more.

The Drift
Puzzles & Pints

Sunday, March 28, 2-4pm


Puzzles and Pints is back at The Drift! 
Competitive puzzling is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends. Make plans now!
*March 29th at 2:00
*Registration required in advance
*Space is limited!
*Reserve your team’s spot via the “tickets” link

https://www.thedriftia.com/events?fbclid=IwY2xjawQyPOdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhdUhCMGxVN1FmQk5uQlZ5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqsv9pwO_gUzWNiz_3v5oSn09hZRteiqMu0zpFp-ZDi3zCYeU-Eh-6qiKHDC_aem_avgCYXZtZeA0SBsBusM0HQ

Covered Bridges Winery
Aaron Simmons

Sunday, March 28, 2-4pm


No Cover Charge, If you like what you hear please tip the musician. Check out his music https://www.aaronsimmonsmusic.com/
Originally from Stewartville, Minnesota, Aaron Simmons is a country singer-songwriter known for energetic performances and heartfelt storytelling. With a down-to-earth style and strong work ethic, he’s spent the past decade building a loyal fanbase nationwide.
In 2024, Aaron was named Male Vocalist of the Year by the Midwest Country Music Organization, after previous nominations for Song , Album and Male Vocalist of the Year. His debut album Third St SW reached #5 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart in 2020, and his 2023 follow-up Center Avenue solidified his place in the genre. Songs like “Nobody’s Home in Wadena” and “Soldier in a Frame” earned regional praise, with the former topping Spotify’s Local Pulse: Minneapolis chart.
Aaron’s songs capture the joys of love, the pain of loss, and the power of community. With strong small-town values and a close connection to fans, he continues to make his mark in modern country music.
He’s performed across the Midwest and beyond—including New England, Tennessee, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, and Mississippi—and opened for acts like Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, Tracy Byrd, Easton Corbin, Matt Stell, Elvie Shane, and Restless Road.

The Iowa Quilt Museum
Exhibit Farewell Reception

Sunday, March 28, 3-5pm


Open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10


Join us this Sunday, March 29, 2026 for a special Farewell Exhibit Reception as we say goodbye to the stunning “Rebound – Renew – Reimagine” exhibit from the Manhattan Quilters Guild. This group of challenge quilts is a collective, heartfelt reflection on life post-pandemic. The vibrant, story-filled works have touched many visitors. Come one last time to soak in the colors, textures, and inspiration before it closes!res, and inspiration before it closes!


No registration needed, just drop in and enjoy! Bring a friend, take photos, and celebrate the power of quilts to rebound, renew, and reimagine. From 3:00–4:00 PM, mingle and chat about your favorite pieces over delicious hors d’oeuvres and refreshing drinks during our open reception. From 4:00–5:00 PM, enjoy music by Des Moines pianist and vocalist Chris Powell, who will add a lively, celebratory vibe to the afternoon by performing a special selection of New York-themed songs to honor the Manhattan Quilters Guild.

Next Week


Madison County Conservation
Madison County’s Most Wanted: Game Night

Tuesday, March 31, 6pm

Madison County Conservation
Madison County’s Most Wanted: Meet The Author

Tuesday, April 7, 6pm

Coming Soon


ISU Extension Office

Thursday, April 9, 5:30pm

WINTERSET, Iowa — Interest in beekeeping continues to grow as more people look for ways to support pollinators, harvest their own honey, and explore a unique and rewarding hobby. To help beginners get started, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Madison County will host a Beekeeping 101 Workshop on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

This two-hour introductory workshop will be led by an experienced agricultural specialist and is designed for individuals who are curious about backyard beekeeping or considering starting their own hive. Participants will learn the fundamentals of beekeeping, including basic hive structure, necessary equipment, and what it takes to successfully maintain bees.

“Bees are one of the most incredible creatures on the planet,” said agricultural specialist Zachary Koopman. “The more you learn about this complex insect beyond their great-tasting honey, the more fascinated you become.”

Beekeeping can be an enjoyable hobby, a way to support local pollinators, or even the start of a small honey-producing venture. This workshop will provide participants with practical knowledge to help them decide if beekeeping is the right fit for them.

The workshop will take place Thursday, April 9, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Office, 117 North John Wayne Drive in Winterset. A light meal will be provided.

The registration fee is $20 per person, and space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

Participants can register online at:

For more information, contact the Madison County Extension Office at 515-462-1001.

Madison County Conservation

Thursday, April 9, 5:30pm

WINTERSET, Iowa — Interest in beekeeping continues to grow as more people look for ways to support pollinators, harvest their own honey, and explore a unique and rewarding hobby. To help beginners get started, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Madison County will host a Beekeeping 101 Workshop on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

This two-hour introductory workshop will be led by an experienced agricultural specialist and is designed for individuals who are curious about backyard beekeeping or considering starting their own hive. Participants will learn the fundamentals of beekeeping, including basic hive structure, necessary equipment, and what it takes to successfully maintain bees.

“Bees are one of the most incredible creatures on the planet,” said agricultural specialist Zachary Koopman. “The more you learn about this complex insect beyond their great-tasting honey, the more fascinated you become.”

Beekeeping can be an enjoyable hobby, a way to support local pollinators, or even the start of a small honey-producing venture. This workshop will provide participants with practical knowledge to help them decide if beekeeping is the right fit for them.

The workshop will take place Thursday, April 9, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Office, 117 North John Wayne Drive in Winterset. A light meal will be provided.

The registration fee is $20 per person, and space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

Participants can register online at:

For more information, contact the Madison County Extension Office at 515-462-1001.

Madison County Conservation

Stepping Stones Child Care Center & Preschool: Now Enrolling

Agriland FS

Fuel Up & Give Back to the Winterset Community School District! From now through June 30, fuel up at the Winterset FAST STOPs and AGRILAND FS will donate 3¢ per gallon to the Winterset Community School District.

Fuel Up & Give Back to the Earlham Community School District! From now through June 30, fuel up at the Earlham FAST STOP and AGRILAND FS will donate 3¢ per gallon to the Earlham Community School District.

All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of our sponsors.