Show summary Hide summary
John Wayne‘s birthday celebration draws his daughter Aissa Wayne to her father’s hometown of Winterset, Iowa, starting May 22, 2026. A four-day festival honoring the legendary actor kicks off this weekend. Family members will join fans celebrating the 119th birthday of the man born Marion Robert Morrison.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Elite Guest: Aissa Wayne, John Wayne’s daughter, attends the Sigma Chi Plaza dedication on Saturday, May 23 at 11am.
- Musical Headliner: Jennifer Wayne, John Wayne’s granddaughter, performs in concert on Saturday at Covered Bridges Winery.
- Date of Birth: May 26, 1907 in Winterset, Iowa, making John Wayne a true Iowa native.
- Four-Day Event: The celebration runs from May 22 through May 25 with films, auctions, historic tributes, and family gatherings.
Aissa Wayne Returns to Honor Her Father’s Legacy
Aissa Wayne, the legendary actor’s daughter, is returning to Winterset to celebrate her father’s heritage. She will be mingling with guests and participating in the Sigma Chi Plaza dedication ceremony. Directors of the birthplace museum have prepared a meaningful tribute.
Aissa served on the museum’s board and championed her father’s lifelong Sigma Chi fraternity membership. The actor proudly wore his 1926 fraternity pin throughout his career. She shares her father’s deep devotion to the brothers and traditions of Sigma Chi.
John Wayne Birthday Celebration draws Aissa Wayne to Winterset, Iowa, May 22-25
Discerning Moms: 30 Luxury Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Budget
Jennifer Wayne Takes Center Stage with Live Music
Jennifer Wayne, John Wayne’s granddaughter, brings a strong musical tradition to the celebration. She performs as the featured entertainer on Saturday, May 23 at 5pm at Covered Bridges Winery. Reserved patio seating sold out, but general admission tickets remain available at $50 per person.
The event combines live auction items with Jennifer’s concert performance. Fans can enjoy beverages and support the museum while celebrating the family connection to Iowa’s greatest actor. The setting at the winery offers a picturesque venue for this tribute.
Four Days of Film, Tributes, and Frontier Heritage
Friday, May 22 kicks off with a Welcome Reception at 5pm, featuring “John Wayne’s Tribute to America” screening at The Iowa Theater. This 1970 NBC special showcases John Wayne alongside entertainment legends like Lucille Ball, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, and Ann-Margret. Tickets sold out quickly for this opening event.
| Event | Date and Time | Location |
| Welcome Reception | Friday, May 22, 5pm | John Wayne Birthplace Museum |
| Sigma Chi Dedication | Saturday, May 23, 11am | John Wayne Birthplace Museum |
| Jennifer Wayne Concert | Saturday, May 23, 5pm | Covered Bridges Winery |
| Movie Screening | Saturday, May 24, 2pm | The Iowa Theater |
Saturday, May 23 brings the spectacular Sigma Chi Plaza dedication at 11am, honoring John Wayne’s commitment to his beloved fraternity. Aissa Wayne and Sigma Chi members nationwide celebrate the $250,000 gift that secured naming rights to the plaza. The ceremony is free to attend and requires no reservation.
John Wayne’s Iowa Roots Run Deep in Winterset
Winterset, Iowa sits about 35 miles southwest of Des Moines and proudly claims John Wayne as its most famous native son. Born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, he spent his first years in this small Iowa town before his family relocated to Southern California. The John Wayne Birthplace Museum preserves his childhood home and personal heritage.
“He wore his membership proudly and fondly, and always had a deep and loyal reverence for his brothers and the entire fraternity. In fact, you could not mention the name of other fraternities because there was only ONE. Sigma Chi, period.”
— Aissa Wayne, John Wayne’s daughter
Why Does This Celebration Matter to Cinema Fans Nationwide?
John Wayne appeared in over 200 films and became a global icon of American cinema’s Golden Age. His legacy extends beyond acting to include directing and producing groundbreaking westerns. Winterset’s four-day celebration connects fans to his roots and honors the man behind the “Duke” nickname.
This year’s gathering is especially meaningful because Aissa Wayne and Jennifer Wayne bring family personal touch to the festivities. Fans from across the United States and beyond converge on this Iowa town to celebrate a cultural icon. Plan your visit to Winterset before this historic celebration concludes on May 25, 2026.
Sources
- John Wayne Birthplace Museum – Official event schedule and celebration details
- Travel Iowa – Winterset location information and festival dates
- Wikipedia – John Wayne biography and birth information
