2008 Calendar of Events

May 15-18

Longaberger Basket Fest at John Deere

John Deere Pavilion and Collectors Center, Moline, Illinois

Registration begins 25 February through 1 May, 2008. Details and questions regarding the Basket Fest can be obtained by logging onto http://www.Longaberger.com/JohnDeere.

June 26 - 28

John Deere Collectors Center, Moline, IL

August 2 - 3

Hammer In' 2008

Celebrating the partnership between the blacksmith and the woodwright.

This event offers opportunities for the public to see, ask questions and learn about the blacksmith and the woodwright as they perform working demonstrations.

Public Television's Roy Underhill, Master Woodwright will appear on Saturday and Sunday with a special woodworking demonstration. We are anticipating over 50 smiths from the region demonstrating on forges set up around the Historic Site.

There will be a charity auction at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday of ironwork donated by the participants. Proceeds are to be divided between both of the supporting Upper Midwest Blacksmith and Illinois Valley Blacksmith Associations.

Information contacts: Terry Husted 217-935-2483 or
Rick Trahan 815-652-4551

August 9 - 10

Sublette Tri-County Tractor Ride

Saturday - Tractors will leave Sublette, Illinois. Stop at 12:00 p.m. for lunch in Oregon, Illinois, and park on Highway 64 along the Rock River. Leave Oregon at 1:30 p.m. and travel to the White Pines State Park. All tractors will be on display at park entrance for the night and dinner will be served to drivers at 6:00 p.m. under the pavilion at the park entrance. Buses will return those drivers that need transportation back to Sublette or hotels.

Sunday - Breakfast served to drivers at lodge at 7:30 a.m. Drivers will leave White Pines at 9:00 a.m. and travel to Lowell Park outside of Dixon, Illinois. Drivers will then travel to Grand Detour, arriving approximately at 12:00 p.m. for lunch.

Activities:
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tractor Rodeo
3:00 p.m. Corn Eating Contest

Drivers will leave the Historic Site at 4:00 p.m. and arrive back in Sublette around 5:30 p.m.

Registration: Prior to June 1 - $80.00 USD
After May 31 - $100.00 USD

For information or to register, contact:
Denna Barker 815-849-5577
E-mail: barks2005@netscape.com
Bernie Roemmich 815-849-5577
Bill Althaus 815-849-5301

September 7

Grand Detour Arts Festival, Grand Detour, IL

For Further Information

John Deere Historic Site
8393 South Main
Grand Detour
Dixon, Illinois 61021-9406
Telephone: 815-652-4551
E-mail: John Deere Historic Site