Festival Royalty

2025 Festival Royalty: Robert & Elaine Newton

If you’ve ever attended a Winterset event, visited the Covered Bridge Festival, cheered at a youth ball game, or admired the flowers around the square, chances are Robert and Elaine Newton had a hand in it. Lifelong Winterset residents and proud parents of Lana, Brenda and Cindy. 1960 graduates of Winterset High School, as class president, Robert has stayed in touch with most of his class mates for the last 65 year. Robert and Elaine have spent their lives pouring time, energy, and heart into the community they love. Robert, an ISU 1967 graduate and retired veterinarian, has been a dedicated Winterset Rotary Club member for more than 54 years, championing projects like the Play for ALL inclusive playground, the city park maze, and the beloved “Cans for Kids” recycling fundraiser— personally collecting, sorting, and delivering cans for decades. He has lent his skills and determination to everything from snow removal for neighbors to fundraising for the Madison County Hospital, the Jackson Building and the new Lakeview Clubhouse.

Elaine, a UNI 1963 graduate and a teacher turned “second mom” to countless Winterset youth, has left her mark in classrooms, on ball fields, in church classrooms, and at the quilting table. Her leadership in the Sunshine garden club, Covered Bridge Quilt Club and the Covered Bridge Festival Quilt Show, as well as her contributions to Quilts of Valor and blankets for NICU babies, speak to her quiet but powerful way of making a difference.

Together, Robert and Elaine have been a constant presence at the Covered Bridge Festivalserving on central committee in the 80’s-90’s, helping with setup, tear down, thhe information booth, bus tours, and more. Their volunteerism extends to the Presbyterian Church, 4-H, the Booster Club, Winterset Education Foundation, Madison County Cattlemen, and countless other causes. They’ve coached little league teams, supported generations of students, and opened their home as a foreign exchange host family. Never ones to seek recognition, Robert and Elaine embody the spirit of service as simply “what you do” for your neighbors and town. Rober’s Dad, Wayne, was mayor during the first Covered Bridge Festival and he always told his three sons, “If you can, give back to your community, it will make you feel good.”

Their decades of dedication, generosity, and love for Madison County have left a lasting legacy, making them the perfect choice to reign as the 2025 Covered Bridge Festival King and Queen.