Reagan Trail Days

2010 will be the 10th annual event celebrating Dixon, as President Reagan's hometown. A week long schedule of events runs from August 10 through August 16 and includes "An evening in the Park" at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home with wine tasting and music, historic tours of Downtown Dixon, FREE pontoon rides on the beautiful Rock River, starting from the beach at Lowell Park where a handsome young Reagan saved 77 lives, many of whom were young ladies (as local lore would have it) not really in need of saving.

Friday, August 13 will be the traditional Ronald Reagan Gala,held at Timber Creek Golf Club, including an elegant dinner, awards presentation, music and dancing. Former graduates of Dixon High School who have gone on to fulfill their lives much as the President did will be honored. Admission $35 per person.

Saturday, August 15, downtown Dixon will be filled with events including free trolley rides to all the Reagan sites including the Dixon Historic Center, Reagan Boyhood Home, First Christian Church, Dixon Public Library and Loveland Community Building with its Reagan Museum. The morning features a pancake breakfast at the First Christian Church followed by the downtown festival with music, fun and games and the traditional Jelly Belly tasting contests. Starting at 4 pm the annual Reagan Horse Parade can be enjoyed as it meanders through downtown Dixon and Reagan Way to the beautiful, new, Heritage River Crossing at the foot of Reagan Way. Other events, still in the planning stage promise an exciting day.

Sunday, August 16, features the Annual Ronald Reagan Heritage Bike Ride starting in Dixon and travelling portions of the Ronald Reagan Trail. For details, call 815-288-1079 or www.rrvbc.net. Also, on Sunday, celebrating the 65th anniversary of VJ DAY, includes music and program on the Waterfront at Heritage Crossing.