Covered Bridge Festival
Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 9 am to 7 pm
Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm (Parade starts at 3 pm)
Special Events:
Parade Applications
Apply to join the parade on Sunday, October 12th, at 3:00 pm (2:00 pm lineup)!
Parade Applications Parade Information
Admission
- $3.00 or 2 for $5.00
- Free for children under 11
Please Note
There is no smoking inside festival grounds. For the safety of all visitors and participants, only service animals will be allowed on festival grounds (this does not include emotional support or therapy animals).
Festival Schedule of Activities
As you’re strolling the square and visiting the community, there are lots of activities to enjoy. Take a look through the festival's activity schedule below!
Entertainment
Live entertainment is offered both days on the south side of the Winterset courthouse at no additional charge. Check out the full lineup below!
Kids Zone
Keep them busy with our 2025 lineup of children's activities! The Kids Zone is located on W. Jefferson Street between the corner of 1st and 2nd Avenues. You'll find free face painting, rock painting, a huge corn box, and more.
In addition, Graham’s Game Café, located at the northwest corner of the festival grounds on 2nd Avenue, will have a full lineup of family-friendly games and activities. Try your hand at pickleball, foosball, air hockey, video arcades, giant yard games, and more—all under one roof. The café is open Saturday from 11am–7pm and Sunday from 11am–3pm. Player bracelets are just $10 for all-day play on Saturday (½ price after 3:00 pm) and $8 on Sunday (½ price after 1:00 pm). Only players need a bracelet - adults can relax and watch for free. A variety of snacks, treats, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Children ages 10 and up may stay without a parent once a waiver and contact information are provided. In addition, the Warehouse if offering changing stations and nursing rooms.
2025 Vendor List
Over 150 arts & crafts, and food vendors are joining us this year! Check out the full lineup of festival vendors plus brick-and-mortar businesses around the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival grounds by clicking on the button below.
Sign up to Volunteer!
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.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FA9AF2FA5F5C16-56682151-2025#/
History of the 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. Read more about its history here!
Annual Festival Events
Madison County Historical Complex
The Covered Bridge Festival experience would not be complete without a visit to the Madison County Historical Complex (815 S. 2nd Avenue). Passport to the Past activities include free museum admission, horse-drawn wagon rides around the complex, penny candy at the Field Mercantile, historical Bevington mansion tours, and Civil War Skirmishes. Free parking is available at the complex. Saturday evening activities start at 7:00 pm and include a Civil War Cannon firing and free s'mores and popcorn!
The Car Show
Held on Sunday only, just off the Winterset courthouse square, this massive show is a car lover's dream.
Tours of the Covered Bridges
Relax and enjoy a scenic tour of the historic covered bridges of Madison County conducted by the Winterset Rotary Club!
Festival Royalty
This year's King and Queen have been knighted! Find out more here.
