Rising to the occasion of making this, GWRRA’s twenty-fifth anniversary Wing Ding, as shiny and new as a silver anniversary coin, has been a challenge indeed. Rising to this challenge have been the Event Management Group at GWRRA’s International Headquarters, our Wing Ding sponsors, and our entire volunteer officer team, especially those from the America’s Heartland Region (E).
You won’t be able to say, “Been there, done that,” with regard to the Grand Parade in Madison this year! Although in past years we’ve wended our way downtown to the Wisconsin Capitol, this year’s Grand Parade will be entirely new. On Tuesday, July 1, we stage at Alliant Energy Center’s north parking lot from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., then head out by an entirely new eight-mile scenic route to Oregon, Wisconsin. We’ll dismount there, and find that our host city has set up a complete Independence Day Celebration for us there. There will be food and beverage vendors, live entertainment on several stages, and an evening capped off by a full-blast fireworks show after sunset. The event will be open to the public, so we’ll have plenty of opportunity to share our Gold Wing pride with our Wisconsin hosts.
From Tuesday through Thursday, July 1-3, you’re encouraged to take part in a DFT Trikes-sponsored Observation Ride with the destination that nearly everybody wants to visit—The House on the Rock. As you ride on this self-scheduled, self-guided observation/poker run, you’ll note the answers to several questions you’ll discover en route. On your return to the Alliant Energy Center, you’ll draw your cards on the basis of the clues you’ve found. We’re even working on discounted entrance fees at House on the Rock for this event.
Also on Wednesday, there’s another good reason to take a ride in the lovely Wisconsin countryside. Starting at 3:30 p.m., there’s a Trike Hike Dinner Ride. The destination restaurant and route are still being developed at press time, but this is sure to be a blast, whether you’re on three wheels, more, or less. Sign up after you get to Wing Ding.
Immediately following the Talent Show that runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Coliseum, the stage will be turned over to the Diamonds for Wing Ding’s 25th Anniversary Dance. Co-sponsored by Tulsa Enterprises, this event features a dance competition at intermission. The Diamonds concert and dance is free with your full registration or day pass armband; event-only tickets are available in advance for $10 each or $15 at the door.
Wisconsin cheese is arguably the best in the world. From Tuesday through Thursday, July 1-3, take another ride in the Wisconsin farmlands on the Cheese Run poker run sponsored by Rivco. Folks in the tourism business in Green County have designed a great route through beautiful contryside that will take in cheese stores, cheese makers and, undoubtedly, gift stores where you can buy one of those weird-looking cheese wedge hats to take home.