In the summer of 2004, a group of car enthusiasts in Winterset, including Ray Dawson, Bill McDonald, Bob Stephens, Roger Hanson, Dan Bush, and Terry Housman, started showcasing their classic cars. This led to the formation of the Central Iowa Auto Club in 2005. Initially, they held events a few times during the summer, and soon the Madison County Chamber of Commerce asked them to organize the Madison County Car Show during the bridge festival. By 2006, the club scheduled six monthly show-and-shines from April to September, initially at the Sports Page Bar and later at the Maid-Rite due to space constraints. In 2013, they began using one side of the town square for events, significantly boosting local business. To protect the club, they incorporated and achieved non-profit status in 2016, which helped them receive a significant donation. Over the years, the club has given scholarships, provided Thanksgiving meals, and shopped for families at Christmas, making a positive impact on the community.
