ITIN-0144 ITMW Winter 2013-14.qxd:Spring 2013
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festivals Itineraries Midwest would like to congratulate the following events for being selected as part of the
2014 AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION’S
TOP 100 EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA! ABA’s Top 100 Events in North America is an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the U.S. & Canada. In creating this list, judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, plus a variety of other relevant criteria. Listed below are the events from the list that can be found in the regions covered by Itineraries Midwest magazine.
Galena Oktoberfest
National Cherry Festival
Galena, IL | October 4, 2014 www.galenaoktoberfest.com
Traverse City, MI | July 5-12, 2014 www.cherryfestival.org
Wear your best lederhosen and dirndls and join
more than 4,000 people—and 125 dogs—at the eighth annual Galena Oktoberfest. Visitors instantly enter into a traditional German Festhalle where the polka music is booming and the bratwursts are simmering. Catch a seat to see the competitive wiener dog races or challenge yourself in the beer stein endurance contest. Proceeds from the event are contributed back into local charities through the Galena Lions Club.
Remember the sights, sounds and smells of a summer celebration in your hometown when you were a kid? Happy days return to Traverse City’s beautiful Lake Michigan shores each summer with more than 100 events, including free air shows over the bay, colorful parades, wine and culinary galas, music shows, sporting events, marching bands, rides, pie-eating contests, classic car show, an arts and craft fair, orchard tours and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine.
Amelia Earhart Festival
Christmas Traditions
Atchison, KS | July 18-19, 2014 www.atchisonkansas.net
St. Charles, MO | Nov 28-Dec 24, 2014 www.historicstcharles.com/ things-to-do/christmas-traditions
Every summer, Amelia Earhart’s hometown, Atchison, Kansas, celebrates the famed aviatrix with a two-day festival. The weekend opens with LakeFest, an outdoor concert featuring country music stars. Saturday activities include food, live music and crafts on Atchison’s downtown pedestrian mall. The grand finale—on the scenic banks of the Missouri River—features live music, aerobatic performances and a spectacular fireworks show.
Dodge City Days Dodge City, KS | July 25-August 3, 2014 www.dodgechamber.com
Visit
Dodge City for a “New Twist on the Old West” during Dodge City Days! This 10 day festival hosts more than 50 events including concerts, parade, Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contest, classic car and arts & crafts show, and much more! Embrace our western culture at the Dodge City Roundup Arena where we host a top ten PRCA rodeo. Then, at high noon, head on over to the Boot Hill Museum and watch the gunfight and Miss Kitty & Her Can Can Dancers at the Long Branch Saloon! With so many activities, come “Get the Heck into Dodge!”
Grand Portage Rendezvous Days Grand Portage, MN | August 7-10, 2014 www.nps.gov/grpo/planyourvisit/ special_events.htm
The Grand Portage Rendezvous interprets the
annual fur trade rendezvous of 200 years ago, including historic encampment, demonstrations, and activities. It showcases the Great Lakes Fur Trade, which influenced the history of North America. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Pow-Wow is an annual American Indian cultural gathering focusing on dance, song, and family celebration with traditional foods, music, crafts, and more than 350 dancers.
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Remember a time in America when life was simpler and Christmas was elegant and magical? With twinkling lights and the scent of roasting chestnuts, you’ll stroll Main Street enjoying holiday music from Victorian Carolers and Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps. Celebrating its 40th season, our charming village on the Missouri River comes alive with Christmas Legends and Santas from around the world. Shop and dine along the festively decorated brick-paved street. Christmas past is our present to you.
North Platte Rail Fest North Platte, NE | Sept 19-21, 2014
As the home of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the www.nprailfest.com
largest railroad yard in the world, North Platte’s Rail Fest is one of the premier railroad attractions in America. Your motorcoaches are invited to join in the caravan of buses that are actually allowed to travel through the busy railroad yard. Live steam and various locomotives of the UP Heritage Fleet will be on hand for tours. From there you are invited to get a birds-eye view of the busy yard at the nearby Golden Spike Tower.
Custer State Park Annual Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival
Custer, SD | September 26-28, 2014 www.custerresorts.com/ about/17th-annual-buffaloround-up
More than 14,000 spectators attend the Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival each year to experience true old West in action as Custer State Park’s herd of 1,300 bison is rounded up by cowboys on horseback. Special bus parking, free admission, open seating. Featured on ABC’s “Born to Explore” 2012. Stay the weekend and join in on the Volksmarch up Crazy Horse Memorial!
To view the complete list, visit www.buses.org.