2027 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

There are few words in the English language as overused as “timeless.” But when discussing the Academy Award-winning film classic “The Quiet Man,” the term just scratches the surface. Writer Gerry McNee described it as, “a story for all ages that promises to bring joy and entertainment for generations to come…Director John Ford found the right actors, injected both Homer and humor, and the rest is cinematic history.” 

The movie masterpiece starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara was first released in the spring of 1952. The 2027 John Wayne Birthday Celebration will be pulling out all the stops in celebrating 75 years of the landmark motion picture during the weekend of May 28 & 29 in Winterset, Iowa. 

Events will be centered at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, The Iowa Theater, a Fly-In breakfast at the Winterset Airport, and a John Wayne Birthplace 5K Run/Walk. The picturesque Covered Bridges Winery just north of Winterset will host our ever-popular main event which will feature a benefit auction, Irish music, heavy appetizers and, this year, “The Quiet Man” projected on a giant outdoor movie screen. 

Did you ever long to go across the sea to Ireland? This might be the year. The names of every ticketed attendee will be entered in a drawing for a trip for two to the Emerald Isle including round-trip air transportation, a three-night stay at Michaeleen’s Manor B&B in the heart of Quiet Man country and private tours of the dozen or so film locations. 

Seating is limited for all ticketed activities so booking early is strongly recommended.
For reservations call 515-462-1044 or purchase online at the link below.

John Wayne Birthday Celebration:
Dinner & Auction

Saturday, May 29, 2027
5:00 pm at Covered Bridges Winery
2207 170th Trail, Winterset

General seating, $75

*Rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges

Directions to Covered Bridges Winery

2026 John Wayne Birthday Celebration Welcome Reception

Friday, May 22, 5pm at John Wayne Birthplace Museum
and The Iowa Theater, $50

Please join us on Friday, May 22 for a lively reception at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum where guests will enjoy a casual mingle with John Wayne fans from across the United States and beyond. The reception will include beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Afterwards we’ll move up the street to The Iowa theater for a special screening of “John Wayne’s Tribute to America.”  Originally aired on NBC in 1970, the all-star spectacular is a patriotic journey through American history and features entertainment legends Lucille Ball, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Ann-Margret and many, many more.  

Sold Out

*Rain or shine, no refunds or exchanges

Big screen presentations of these John Ford Classics at
the Iowa Theater

For reservations, go to: The Iowa Theater

Big screen presentation of “Chisum” starring John Wayne

The Iowa Theater

Saturday, May 24th
2:00 pm

For tickets, visit The Iowa Theater.

Musical entertainment at the Fly-In Breakfast will be provided by Winterset’s own Benge Family Band.

Join the Cavalry!

In tribute to John Ford’s Cavalry Trilogy, horse soldiers will be on hand at the John Wayne Birthplace on Saturday, May 25th to provide visitors a taste of military life on the frontier.