Spectacular Salute to 40 Years of the John Wayne Birthplace: August 27, 2022

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the John Wayne Birthplace first opening our doors to the public, we are presenting a one-day event that will salute our impressive history and entertain with lavish family-styled events that will thrill children of all ages.  Founding Birthplace board member Dave Trask will recall our early days followed by live Big Top performances of the Great Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, a rousing concert of turn-of-the-century circus music performed by the Winterset Community Band and a rare screening of the fabulous”Circus World” starring John Wayne and Claudia Cardinale at the Iowa Theater.  We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

At 11am, at the John Wayne Birthplace, founding board member Dave Trask will discuss the original efforts to preserve the Winterset, Iowa, home where John Wayne was born, the public’s reception, and how the Birthplace has grown into the popular destination it has become today.

The Great Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will be presented at 2pm and 4:30pm. Prices are $12 for adults and $7 for children and seniors. Purchase tickets here (tickets will be mailed to you). There will be no refunds or exchanges on tickets.

(Youth = 12 and under; Seniors = 60 and up)

The Winterset Community Band will present a rousing concert of vintage circus marches between performances of the Great Culpepper & Merriweather Circus.

“I love a circus!” says John Wayne in the 1964  motion picture spectacle “Circus World”.  Newly restored to its original glory, the film will be presented at Winterset’s Iowa Theater at 7pm. 

Tickets are available at www.the-iowa.com