6:30am - 11am

Pancake Breakfast

Fire Station

Cavalry Charge 5K Walk/Run

John Wayne Statue site

”Pie Squared” Events

Courthouse Square

Fort Apache

Iowa Theatre

Band Concert by Capt. Brittles’ Brilliant Brass Band

Rio Grande

Iowa Theatre

Special Reception for Museum Benefit Dinner Attendees only:
Unveiling of the Wild Goose scale model

John Wayne Birthplace

JohnWayne.com Forum and Facebook Drawing

Next to John Wayne Birthplace Welcome Center

Band Concert and Cavalry & Stagecoach in review

Courthouse Square

Big-screen outdoor showing of She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Courthouse Square

Click for a .pdf Event Map and Schedule

SEVENTH REGIMENT, UNITED STATES CAVALRY ENCAMPMENT

Join the Cavalry!

Modern day cavalry enthusiasts from around the country will converge in Winterset to honor the stirring epics which have come to be known as John Ford’s cavalry trilogy. Visit the frontier horse soldiers in their encampment at the John Wayne Birthplace and learn from them the pleasures and hardships of life on the plains. You’ll meet the troopers and their mounts and experience first hand what you've previously only seen in the movies.

MEET GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER

Steve Alexander is the closest thing to Custer since Custer himself. This devoted living historian and author regularly portrays the illustrious general at Little Big Horn reenactments and has appeared many times in documentaries on A&E and the History Channel. Not satisfied merely interpreting the history of the noted plainsman, Mr. Alexander and his wife actually restored and occupy the Monroe, Michigan home owned by the original Custers! www.georgecuster.com

RIDE THE DEADWOOD STAGECOACH

Take a ride on the nationally-famous Shockey Overland Express. This celebrated hitch of six matched horses has appeared in exhibitions from coast to coast, including the National Finals Rodeo, Milwaukee’s Great Circus Parade and the John Wayne Centennial's Wild West Revue.

CAPT. BRITTLES’ BRILLIANT BRASS BAND

Capt. Nathan Brittles (from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon) was among John Wayne’s favorite roles and to honor the lovable old soldier we are presenting Capt. Brittles’ Brilliant Brass Band. Portrayed by Iowa’s own Marengo Civil War Band, these talented and passionate musicians have been performing vintage military music since 1994. Past venues have included historic opera houses, battle reenactments and regular summertime appearances at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum. The band will be performing on both May 27 & 28 at various locations.

FIREMEN’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST SATURDAY MORNING

Saturday, May 28th
6:30am to 11:00am, $6.00 per person
Fire Station, one block east of John Wayne Drive on Court

Sit yourself down for a fabulous morning meal! All you care to eat with pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice and coffee. Get a great start to your day!

Proceeds benefit Winterset’s volunteer Fire Department.

SPECIAL FREE MOVIES AT THE IOWA THEATRE

See some of Duke’s greatest films for FREE in the comfort of the Iowa Theatre, right on Winterset’s Courthouse Square. Many thanks to the Iowa Theatre for donating their facilities! (Showtimes to follow)

Fort Apache, 1:00pm, Sat. May 28th
John Wayne is Capt. Kirby York in the first of John Ford’s fabled cavalry trilogy, dealing with a new commander (Henry Fonda) who wants everything done his way, including dealing with Indians.

Rio Grande, 3:00pm, Sat. May 28th
Wayne and Maureen O’Hara are embroiled in an epic battle with the Apaches—and each other—in this classic film directed by John Ford.

CAVALRY CHARGE 5K RUN/WALK

9:00am Saturday, May 28th The Seventh Regiment U.S. Cavalry leads the first several blocks of the race, starting at the John Wayne statue at the corner of Washington and John Wayne Drive, circling the Courthouse Square, on through Winterset City Park, and ending at the statue again. The Race Fee is $20 for adults, kids 14 and under $15 ($25 adults/$20 kids on race day). View or download the race .pdf brochure here.

Proceeds benefit Healthy Kids Initiative and Wildwood Hills Ranch. Sponsored by Winterset Rotary and Madison County Health Care System.

PIE SQUARED:
AN ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF PIE

12:30pm–3pm Saturday, May 28th
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend this Saturday afternoon event that will feature “tastes” of homemade pie, and pie-themed entertainment throughout Winterset’s Courthouse Square. Attendees may purchase tickets for “tastes” of pie at $1.00 each to taste as many different pies as they like.

Pie Stations will be located at various merchants on the Square and tickets may be purchased in advance or on the afternoon of the event at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.

Pie Lovers—this event is for you! The homemade pies for the event are being furnished by local churches, and we all know how those church ladies can cook. So come and enjoy!

BIRTHPLACE TOURS

Take a tour of the actual home where Marion Robert Morrison was born on May 26, 1907. The house features a unique collection of John Wayne memorabilia including such items as an eyepatch from True Grit, a prop suitcase used in the film Stagecoach, a hat from Rio Lobo and more.

Hundreds of rare photographs of Duke are on display as well as letters from Lucille Ball, Gene Autry, Maureen O’Hara, Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and George Burns.

Admission fees are $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors 60 and over, and $2.00 for children 12 and under.

JOHNWAYNE.COM FORUM AND FACEBOOK DRAWING

4pm Saturday, May 28th, John Wayne Enterprises Booth
Next to the Birthplace Welcome Center
John Wayne Enterprises is running a contest where you could win a Limited Edition 20" John Wayne Legend of the Hour clock or a Collector’s Edition John Wayne Monopoly game! Must be present to win. Click the image above for a full-size .pdf version.

SPECIAL SHOWING OF “SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON” ON THE BIG SCREEN!

9pm Saturday, May 28th, Courthouse Square
The second of director John Ford’s three legendary films focusing on the U.S. Cavalry, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon was one of the most expensive westerns of the time.

Mandatory retirement faces cavalry Capt. Nathan Brittles (Wayne) as he takes his troops on one last mission, encumbered by the presence of women who must be protected.

Known for its breathtaking views of Monument Valley, She Waore A Yellow Ribbon won the 1950 Academy Award for Best Color Cinematography. Grab some popcorn and your friends and see it for FREE in brilliant digital cinema projection on a giant 25-foot outdoor screen in the glorious surroundings of Winterset’s historic Courthouse Square!

Previous Birthday Celebrations: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 Centennial