John Deere attractions announce 2019 lineup of special events

The John Deere attractions host a variety of special events each year attracting guests both near and far. Each occasion is designed to entertain family members of all ages, is educational, fun and entirely free. Below is a full list of special events scheduled for 2019 at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, Ill., The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, and the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Ill.

March 18–22

World’s Greatest Spring Break

John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo, Iowa

A community celebration for local residents to visit the sites and attractions in their own back yard. Includes daily crafts for the kids.

9am–5pm

April 13–14

Duck Hatching

John Deere Pavilion, Moline, Illinois

Watch ducklings hatch before your very eyes and visit learning stations that teach children all about the process. A season backdrop makes for a great Spring photo opportunity.

9am–5pm

June 8

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Farm Fun Day

John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo, Iowa

Kids of all ages are invited to explore how things go from the farm, to their table. Perform chores in Little Johnny’s Farm, play on corn activity tables with John Deere toys, and ride pedal tractors.  The day also includes a petting zoo and blacksmith demonstrations.

9am–5pm

June 23

Music & Crafting Through Time

John Deere Historic Site, Grand Detour, Illinois

Enjoy musical performances by local bands, visit pioneer-era crafting demonstrations, and check out food trucks.

9am–5pm

July 20

Learn & Play Day

John Deere Pavilion, Moline, Illinois

This popular event includes dozens of activities for kids of all ages, including a petting zoo, pedal tractor pull, gator obstacle course, activity tables and chores in Little Johnny’s Farm.

9am–5pm

August 2-4

Green Iron Days

John Deere Historic Site, Grand Detour, Illinois

Visit with hundreds of vintage John Deere tractor owners (pre-1979 machines) displaying their collections on the grounds of the Historic Site. This event features a tractor parade through the streets of Grand Detour at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3.

9am–5pm

September 7

Heritage Tractor Parade & Show

John Deere Pavilion, Moline, Illinois

Once a year we invite owners of heritage tractors of all models and colors to ride through downtown Moline, display their machines, and share stories with our visitors.

9am–5pm

October 12

Fall Festival

John Deere Historic Site, Grand Detour, Illinois

A celebration of the harvest season where kids can decorate pumpkins, bob for apples, ride in a covered wagon, or visit with farm animals. Cookies and hot cocoa provided for all.

9am–5pm

December 7

Holiday Celebration

John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, Waterloo, Iowa

Meet Santa Claus, make crafts, and enjoy the sounds of the season performed by local choirs.

9am–5pm

About the John Deere Historic Site (Grand Detour, Ill.)

The John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour is the original Illinois homestead of John Deere and the location where he built his first “self-scouring” steel plow. The home Deere built still stands and tour guides provide an entertaining and educational perspective of life on the prairie. In addition to the family home, the site also features a blacksmith shop, archeological site, and gift shop. Open daily March through December.

About the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum (Waterloo, Iowa)

The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo opened in 2014 and offers a variety of exhibits educating visitors of all ages about the history of tractor and engine design and manufacturing in Iowa’s Cedar Valley.

About the John Deere Pavilion (Moline, Ill.)

Located along the shores of the Mississippi River near the company’s original Moline plow factory, the John Deere Pavilion has attracted more than 4 million guests from around the world since it opened in 1997. The Pavilion features a wide variety of fun and informative hands-on exhibits about Deere & Company’s global businesses and products, its rich history and heritage, and how it’s helping meet the challenges of a growing global population.

 

John Deere Passport Program

The John Deere Pavilion, John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum and the John Deere Historic Site recently launched a new passport program designed to help guests commemorate their trips to the attractions, as well as other John Deere locations, by collecting seals and stamps in their personal passport booklet. Participation in the program is completely free and visitors can earn gifts and discounts along the way.

“The passport is like opening a door to a new adventure and provides a fun and interactive way to visit and experience all we have to offer,” said Brigitte Tapscott, manager of the John Deere Attractions.  “The John Deere Attractions and other Deere sites provide unique and exceptional experiences. We hope this inspires visitors to learn about each location and encourages more participation at our special events held throughout the year.”

Visitors can start their adventures at one of the three main John Deere Attraction locations which include: the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois; the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa; and the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, Illinois. Guests of all ages should ask for a passport at the visitor information desks.

When visiting an attraction for the first time, guests commemorate the experience by using a location-specific seal embosser. For special events, return visits to any of the three main attractions, and trips to other John Deere locations, visitors should ask Deere personnel to stamp their passport booklet.

Guests collecting all three embossed seals will earn a limited-edition John Deere hat. For every passport page visitors complete with unique stamps, participants earn a one-time, one-day-only discount of 20 percent on merchandise purchased at participating John Deere stores and the John Deere Historic Site gift shop. Some exclusions apply. When visitors complete the entire passport booklet, they receive a special commemorative hook, hand-forged by a blacksmith at the John Deere Historic Site.

“The final gift is quite unique, and we believe it is something John Deere fans will enjoy,” said Tapscott. “Our team is excited to share this program with guests, and we can’t wait to award our travelers with some legendary gifts as our way of saying thanks for visiting John Deere!”

 

For more information, check out our calendar of events at www.VisitJohnDeere.com.

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