The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival
The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival has been a time-honored tradition in Madison County, Iowa since 1970. Each year on the second full weekend in October, county residents gather under the brilliant hues of autumn to celebrate their historic covered bridges.
The festival features a wide variety of food, antique and craft vendors, nonstop music and entertainment, artisans demonstrating the old-fashioned ways, qulit show, car show, an antique vehicle parade, guided bus tours of the covered bridges, and so much more.
|
Parade Application (.pdf) Festival Vendor Contract (.pdf) Festival Vendor Rules and Regulations (.pdf)
 |
Fabulous Foods to Tickle The Palette!
No mater what kind of food you might have a hankerin’ for, you just might find it at the Festival—and a few you didn’t expect, too!
|
Creative Crafts & Other Great Stuff
All throught the festival, there’s lots to see, from handmade arts and crafts to wearables, furniture, antiques and unique items of all kinds!
|
|
 |
Nonstop Music & Entertainment!
Sit a spell and enjoy musicans and singers of all kinds, gymnasts, square dancers, barbershop quartet, spelling bees, belt buckle auction and much more all weekend. More details below
|
Guided Tours of the Covered Bridges
Always a popular attraction, tours depart regularly and visit several of the world-famous bridges. Knowledgeable guides tell the history and legends of these vintage structures. Passengers may disembark at some of the bridges to inspect these historic bridges up close and personal.
|
|
 |
Antique and Classic Auto Show
Bright and early on Sunday morning, registration begins. The show features hundreds of beautifully restored cars and trucks vying for awards in many different classes.
|
Antique Vehicle Parade 2pm Sunday
Lawn chairs start appearing curbside early in the morning to get a great view of this parade that features antique vehicles and tractors, floats, horses, bands and more in the grand old-fashioned tradition.
|
|
“Passport to the Past” Activities:
A Great Way to Learn About Madison County!
 A program designed for kids and their families to celebrate Madison County’s culture and history. Kids 12 and under get a “passport” stamped at 8 “story stops.” With 4 stamps they receive a 2008 collectible patch of the Madison County Star (right).
Activities include old fashioned lessons and games at Tusha School at the Madison County Museum, scavenger hunts, a Courthouse tour, storytelling at the Passport to the Past tent and Monumental Park, and hands-on activities at the Library, Art Center, Carver Park, and Fire Station. More information at www.passporttothepast.com.
|
 |
Plant a peanut with George Washington Carver at Carver Memorial park and meet other historical figures.
|
 |
The Storytelling Tent features great storytellers and great music.
|
Visitors can take guided tours of the magnificent Courthouse right in the center of the Square. |
 |
FREE shuttle rides from the Square to the Historical Complex and the Birthplace of John Wayne delight visitors with the hitch of four powerful Clydesdales. |
 |
 |
The 2008 Madison County Covered Bridge Festival King and Queen are Charles and Margaret Blair of Macksburg, Iowa
|
|
Covered Bridge Festival 2008 Entertainment Lineup Rocks!
|
These are just some of the artists appearing at the 39th annual Covered Bridge Festival:
 Lehto and Wright have a sound that is a unique blend of traditional and modern styles. By taking cues from the Irish, English and American folk traditions and interpreting them with contemporary guitar-based arrangements, Lehto and Wright have taken a fresh approach to the world of folk and folk rock. Watch for them on the Street Stage Saturday afternoon.
 World Port, a crowd favorite, will entertain on Sunday, October 12th. You’ll enjoy the unusual sound of the electric horn!
 Exit 113 brings a fresh new sound to some great old rock n roll standards from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. A popular band at the Iowa State Fair, this variety band will be singing their way into your hearts on Saturday of Covered Bridge Festival.
|
|
