Published: June 06, 2008 10:06 pm         

Snafu extends Drivin’ the Dixie

Events planned on two weekends

DANVILLE — Thanks to a scheduling snafu, two weekends of special events will take place instead of just one along the part of the Dixie Highway that runs through east central Illinois.

Dick Queen, chairman of Rossville’s Drivin’ the Dixie committee, said the mix-up took place this year because of how June’s calendar fell.

“The drive has been the third weekend of June since the event began four years ago,” Queen said. “That happened to be Father’s Day weekend, too, and that’s what confused some people.”

So this year on June 13 and 14, the towns between Danville and Milford will hold events. The following weekend, June 20 and 21, the official Drivin’ the Dixie 2008 takes place in cities from Momence north to Blue Island. The local leg of the highway will continue to celebrate with some different events than the first weekend.

“Next year,’ Queen said, “the schedule will straighten itself out.”

The actual drive down the Illinois portion of the old Dixie Highway can go as far and last as long as drivers and their passengers wish. The original historic route stretched from the Great Lakes to Florida.

But with this summer’s all-time record high gas prices, local entertainment becomes priceless. Sue Richter, Vermilion County Museum director, hopes locals will take advantage of the events offered both weekends.

“Save gas and explore east central Illinois,” Richter said.

The museum will serve as the kick-off spot for two separate drives along the Dixie. Each will begin at 10 a.m. on June 14 and 21. The first goes as far as Milford, while the second makes it all the way to Momence.

Door prizes and dash plaques will be available at the museum both days, and drivers on the route on the second Saturday can also enter a drawing in Momence for cash prizes.

June 13 and 14

Other Danville events during that first weekend include the annual Friday night Summer sounds concert and Saturday’s regular Farmer’s Market, both held in downtown’s Temple Plaza.

Bismarck continues on June 14 the tradition of community rummage sales. The Old Pleasant View Church will be a place where drivers can have their passports stamped. Those passports serve as entries in the various drawings held in Momence. The church also is the new home of the Newell Township Historical Society.

The Rossville Historical society will be the next passport stop on the route both Saturdays. The first Friday night, the Illiana Pullers Association Tractor pull takes place in Christman Park. The event is profiled in another story in today’s paper.

The same Saturday, Christman Park activities begin at 7 a.m. and continue all day until the 6 p.m. Duck Dash. Duck Master Wendy Dunavan said that event funds much of the community’s Dixie events.

“We don’t charge for the music in the park that weekend,” Dunavan said. “We keep as many of the events as possible free.”

Entry fee for the race ranges from $4 for ducks purchased in years past and raced again to $10 for those that light up and for designer ducks.

“We have about 67 different kinds of the designer ducks,” Dunavan said. “They come in many different characters.”

The owners of the first five ducks that complete the course get a percentage of the entry fees. The remainder goes toward the next year’s event.

Kevin Young, president of the Rossville Community Organization that sponsors the local portion of Drivin’ the Dixie, said the event has become a community favorite. This is its fourth year.

“It’s been unique since the start,’ Young said. “History is what it’s all about.”

June 20 and 21

Danville celebrates Dixie Highway this particular Friday with a family friendly drive-in movie at the Vermilion County Museum. The Farmer’s Market and car registration take place again on Saturday.

Rossville’s big celebration the previous weekend will be followed by passport stamping only at the historical society this weekend.

But Hoopeston and Milford make the most of the weekend with many events.

Hoopeston’s McFerren Park serves as the site for a full day of activities June 21.

Shannon Ruh, Hoopeston’s economic development director, said she’s pleased with the two weekend schedule.

“This gives us the opportunity to go to other cities, to visit each others events,” she said.

Registration remains open in Hoopeston for this year’s Poochie Pageant, Rue said. Pre-registration is required since organizers need to know how many dogs will participate. “We need enough to make the event possible.”

Ruh added that more flea market space is still available. Register for both at http://www.hoopeston-il.gov.

Milford holds its Fun Days June 19, 20 and 21 in conjunction with that weekend’s Drivin’ the Dixie.

FYI

For more information on activities during both Drivin’ the Dixie weekends, contact the Vermilion County Museum in Danville at 442-2922; Dick Queen at the Rossville Historical Organization at 748-4344; the Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce at 283-7873 or the local community holding eadh event.

For general information on Drivin’ the Dixie, log on to http://www.drivinthedixie.org.