Wendinger Band & Travel, Inc.
2011 Farm Show Extravaganza
February 14 - 18, 2011
Day By Day Itinerary
Monday, February 14 Tuesday, February 15 Thursday, February 17 Friday, February 18 Back to Farm Show Extravaganza
We are off to experience a memorable week for farmers and non-farmers alike! This morning we will board our motor coach, as we begin our travels through southern Minnesota into Iowa. We will have an included lunch buffet at Bishops. Upon our arrival in Waterloo, the motor coach will take you for the 1 p.m. Tour of the Tractor Factory, a two-hour riding tour. Our overnight stay will be in the Davenport-Moline area at The Lodge.
After a full buffet breakfast we head to Moline, Illinois at the John Deere facilities. Today we will have a chance to take a riding tour of the Harvester Works, the making of the combine. Harvester Works traces its roots to 1913, when it began producing horse-drawn harvesting equipment. The remainder of the morning will be spent at the John Deere Commons where we will visit the John Deere Pavilion which is a glass enclosed Pavilion showcasing the modern day vintage John Deere equipment and interactive displays about agriculture. Here we will also visit the John Deere Store which features merchandise with the renowned Deere names and trademarks. Last but not least we will stop at the John Deere Collectors Center. This is for enthusiasts interested in the nostalgia and legacy of John Deere and the collection of early John Deere tractors, equipment and memorabilia. Late this afternoon we will travel to Corydon. Our hotel for the next two nights will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Corydon, Indiana.
Wednesday, February 16
After breakfast we will have a short half hour drive to Louisville, Kentucky. You will have the opportunity to spend the entire day at America’s largest Indoor Farm Show, located in the Kentucky Exposition Center. Visitors can see over 800 exhibits including everything from irrigation and harvesting equipment, to fertilizers and computer software. There is a Family Living Center located in the East Hall, featuring arts and crafts during the show. A ½ day shopping excursion to the area malls will be available for those who are interested. Around 5:00, you will be happy to sit on the bus to rest your feet as we commute back to our hotel.
After breakfast before leaving the Louisville area, we cannot miss the Louisville Slugger Museum. Take a guided tour through the factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are crafted with the same pride that started in 1884. Whether it's a personalized bat with your own name on it, or one designated for the big leagues, they make sure it's just right. You'll learn every step in the process. After the tour, you'll receive a FREE miniature Louisville Slugger! We will eat lunch enroute, and will be traveling through Indianapolis to Fair Oaks Farms. We will drive through one of ten barns, which house 3,000 milking cows in each barn. You will witness, from the observation deck, how 72 cows merrily are milked all at once on a giant carousel. A perfect treat is ice cream before leaving the farm. We will continue our extravaganza, and stay in Merrillville, which is on the outskirts of Chicago at the Radisson.
After breakfast we will skirt the "windy city" of Chicago as we make our way home, reminiscing about our farming experience taking with us new ideas and a wealth of knowledge.
