2022 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

Tickets are now on sale for the Friday Night VIP Event and the Saturday Night Benefit Dinner & Auction, May 27 & 28, 2022. Seating will be limited for each event. Order today!

Please note: Tickets for the VIP Event and Benefit Dinner & Auction are non-refundable.

Invited Guest: Barry Corbin

Movie and television personality Barry Corbin was on hand for John Wayne’s Birthday Centennial Celebration in 2007 and again in 2015 when he participated in the ribbon cutting for the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. So of course we expect him to join us again in the spring of 2022 to help dedicate our major museum expansion. The beloved character actor performed memorably on television in “Lonesome Dove.” “Northern Exposure” and “One Tree Hill”  and in the movies in such classics as “Urban Cowboy,” “WarGames” and “No Country For Old Men”…just to name a few.  Mr. Corbin is among the most delightful performers ever to visit the Birthplace and we very much look forward to providing him another warm Winterset welcome.

McLintock! at the Iowa Theater

Multiple screenings of McLintock! starring John Wayne will be presented at the Iowa Theater. In his role as wealthy cattle baron G.W. McLintock, Wayne shows a real sense of comic timing in scenes filled with slapstick humor.  After his wife (Maureen O’Hara) and daughter (Stephanie Powers) leave him for the East, McLintock strives to win them back. 

For reservations, visit: www.the-iowa.com

McLintock! (United Artists, 1966). Italian 2 – Foglio (39.5″ X | Lot #52208 | Heritage Auctions

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Musical Headliner Carin Mari

Award-winning western recording artist Carin Mari returns as our musical headliner for this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration Benefit Dinner & Auction.  Inspired by the mountains of her native Colorado, Carin is a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who is passionate about sharing her stories and unique brand of music. And “True Grit” starring John Wayne, says Carin, is the best western ever made!

Michael F. Blake

In a fascinating demonstration of Hollywood movie magic, two-time Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Michael F. Blake will transform a local volunteer into John Wayne as Capt. Nathan Brittles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Mr. Blake’s behind the scenes motion picture credits include Westworld, X-Men and Independence Day. As a child actor Blake appeared on television in The Lucy ShowAdam-12 and Marcus Welby, M.D. A respected film scholar, Blake has authored books and articles on silent film legend Lon Chaney, The Searchers and High Noon as well as extensive histories on Theodore Roosevelt. This intriguing presentation happens at 1p.m. on Saturday at the John Wayne Birthplace.

(Canceled) Aissa Wayne

5/16/22 – We received a note from Aissa Wayne this afternoon letting us know that family obligations will prevent her from attending the Birthday Celebration festivities later this month. Aissa just welcomed a granddaughter into the world, and she obviously feels the need to be there to help her daughter with these new responsibilities. Lily Maria will be a great granddaughter of John Wayne. Here is what Aissa said in her note: “I will be sorry not to share the festivities with you as I have really missed seeing you all. Scott will be there with you and I hope to see you the following year. All the love in the world, Aissa”

We will all very much miss seeing Aissa this year, but we also very much understand the importance of family and family obligations. See you in 2023, Aissa! And in the meantime, take care of that new granddaughter. We all love you!!

Miss Rodeo Iowa at the John Wayne Birthplace

We’ll be pleased to welcome Emma Bair, newly crowned Miss Rodeo Iowa, to the dedication of the expanded John Wayne Birthplace Museum on Saturday, May 28th. Emma grew up competing in rodeos across the state where she learned that hard work and dedication will get you far, not only in the arena, but also in other aspects of life. “My goal,” says Emma, “is to be a role model for young cowboys and cowgirls to look up to, while also being an educator and advocate for the sport we love so dearly.”

(Canceled) Lesley-Anne Down

We’re sorry to report that invited guest Lesley-Anne Down will not be able to join us for this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration due to a scheduling conflict.