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

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Citizen • October 15

This week in Madison County…

Today/Tonight


“A Panini Bit Tipsy” with Covered Bridges Winery

Thursday • October 15 • 6:00 pm
at 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!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Click on ads to learn more.


This Week!


Senior Speaker Series


Friday • October 16 • 10:00 am
Bricker Price Block, Earlham

If you’re reading this post but it didn’t come to your inbox, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any more!

This Weekend!


Pasta Dinner

Saturday • October 17 • 5:00 pm
The Winterset Livery

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.

Baberhood Bluegrass Band at Big Rack

Saturday • October 17 • 6:00-9:00 pm
Big Rack Brew Haus

Come on out to Big Rack for some live music by Baberhood Bluegrass Band, great food by White Smoke BBQ, and of course, all of your favorite Big Rack beer on tap and other tasty beverages!

The name says it all – Baberhood Bluegrass Band will be playing some awesome, toe-tapping Bluegrass music.

$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/2241683883355263/

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/

Sunday Funday

Sunday • October 18 • 2:00-5:00 pm
Winterset Cidery

Sunday Funday at Winterset Cidery!

Looking for the perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon? Come hang out with us at the Cidery from 1–6pm!

🍎 All the cold, crisp cider you could want
🎶 Live music by Sean Sullivan | 2–5pm
🥪 Under Pressure Panini serving up delicious eats
🌳 Plenty of outdoor space to relax by the Orchard
👧🏼 A place for the kids to run, play, and enjoy the day!

Grab the family, invite your friends, and come soak up the beautiful outdoors with a glass of cider in hand. We’ll see you Sunday!

Sunday Movie Club: The Christophers

Sunday • October 18 • 5:30 pm
The Iowa Theater

Followed by a lively, moderated conversation about the film!

A once-celebrated artist’s children enlist a forger to access his unfinished canvases in a deceptive bid to secure an inheritance. 2026, Rated R, 1hr 40min

Get tickets here!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Click on ads to learn more.


Next Week


Ladies Night at the Cidery with Evergreen & Lily Floral

Tuesday • October 20
Winterset Cidery

Omitel Bingo Night

Tuesday • October 20 • 6:00 pm
Red Acre Barn, Prole

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.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

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

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.

Halloween Costume Party & Live Music

Saturday • October 24 • 6:00-9:00 pm
Big Rack Brew Haus

Thank you to our sponsors!

Click on ads to learn more.


Coming Soon


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!

Trick or Treat in Earlham

Saturday • October 31 • 5:00-6:00 pm
Earlham Business District

Saturday • October 31 • 6:00-8:00 pm
Earlham Residential District

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!

Christmas 4 Kids & Operation Santa Claus

Sign up by October 31!
by Matura and CRISP

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!

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.

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