Sunday June 21, 2009

This summer the Transcontinental Motor Convoy will pass through Dixon on June 21st 2009. This convoy will recreate the convoy lead by then Lt. Col Dwight Eisenhower in 1919. That convoy left the East coast in early July 1919 and traveled what would become the Lincoln highway to California arriving in September 1919. The original convoy was to prove that trucks and vehicles could move coast to coast and to encourage states to pave roads. This experience later influenced then President Eisenhower when he authorized the interstate highway system. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association is celebrating the 90th anniversary of this event this summer, with a variety of vintage military vehicles. The convoy will lagger overnight in Rochelle, June 20th, with events planned there including a World War two vintage dance. On Sunday the 21st, the convoy should pass through Dixon approximately 11 am entering on route 38 through the arch and continuing through Dixon to the Veterans Park on the way to Clinton, IA. Dixon Tourism and the Veterans Memorial Park Committee would like to encourage all to join us welcome the convoy as it passes through Dixon. Dixon Tourism would like to pack Galena Ave. from the Arch to the river to welcome them. Veterans groups plan to gather at the Vets park to honor their passage. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to witness this event wherever you can.