AMANA COLONIES, IOWA- JOINT RALLY - APRIL, 30(Friday) - MAY 3(Mon.)
February 17th, 2010
Come explore and discover the beauty of the Amana Colonies! Plan to attend our Joint Rally with the Lincolnland Unit and you will have a great time. There are 7 colonies (villages) on the 17 mile loop that are home to many artisans and factories keeping traditional Amana handcrafts alive, as well as contemporary artists working in many mediums. The area is famous for its beauty, hospitality and old world German charm.
The biggest festival that weekend is the “Maifest” in Amana on Saturday which kicks off with a parade down Main Street at 10:00 followed by “Taste of the Amana” Food Fair and “Maipole” dancing at the east end of Main Street. There will also be German folk music, and lots of entertainment! Saturday night there is a 50’s-60’s band playing at the Festhalle Barn in Amana (next to the visitor’s center) for $8 a head. For a map of Amana buildings click here
Visit the Heritage Museum in Amana to see their video. Bring your WBCCI badge to purchase your discounted $4 admission ticket to their seven historic buildings on the loop tour. Do your loop tour of all the Amana Colonies on Friday or Sunday (depending on when you arrive) by traveling west on 220 Trail to the Communal Kitchen & Copper shop in Middle Amana, then the Art Guild in High Amana, Barn, Woodshop and Broom factory in W. Amana, Art & quilt shops in S. Amana, and then complete the loop by visiting the Store Museum in Homestead. Another alternative (if you have a cd player in your car/truck) is to buy the CD audio tour of the Amana Colonies loop for $10 at the Visitors Center. There are many more historic and interesting places on the loop. The association website is http://amanaheritage.org/museums.html
If you have Google Earth on your computer, you can take a virtual preview tour by searching for “Amana, Iowa”.
Other attractions in the area include: Pioneer Heritage Museum in nearby Marengo offers a variety of cultural, historical displays. Herbert Hoover’s home and Presidential Library/Museum and National Historic Site are 30 miles east of Amana. Plan to stay until at least Monday morning, so you can enjoy it all.
Shopping in the Colonies is a unique experience, but for something more modern, the Tanger Outlet Center in Williamsburg is just minutes away.
The Amana Colonies RV Park has 136 full service sites off highway 151 just North of downtown Amana. When checking in, mention you are with the WBCCI Rally to receive the group discount and be parked in our reserved area. Half the sites will be drive thru. Because the sites reserved have only 15 & amp 50 amp outlets, you will need to bring your 50-30 amp or 15 to 30 amp adapter.
Amana Colonies Website: click here
Amama RV Park Website: click here
If you are interested in attending, make a reservation by calling or e-mailing Carol and send a $30 deposit (check made payable to, “NO IL UNIT WBCCI”) to: Carol Dixon, 5009 Lake Dawnwood Dr., Johnsburg, IL 60051
Spring Luncheon - March 27th 11:30 AM - Old Country Buffet, Springhill Mall, Dundee, IL Make plans for your summer camping/touring plans with your fellow members. Call Carol to let her know you are coming.
Trial of Feb. Feb. Blue Beret online Here is the link to this new presentation method click here I would like as many people as possible to look at it with various computer systems and get back to Fred R with your impressions. Fred’s E-mail - radv1@earthlink.net
March issue of Blue Beret posted to Google Docs Click here to see and evaluate.
Airstream Life on line Spring Editon has just been published: click here
International President’s Message for March click here






