Main Street to head Reagan Trail Days

Starting in 2009, the annual Reagan Trail Days celebration will become part of Dixon Main Street’s calendar of events. The change comes as the event that honors President Ronald Reagan has grown too large for the Reagan Trail Days committee to plan alone.

Bill Wadsworth, Reagan Trail Days committee member and former chairman, said the Reagan Trail Days is excited to have Dixon Main Street assume leadership of the event with a membership dedicated not only to the Dixon downtown but to the community as a whole.

"The Reagan Trail Days committee has expanded its leadership base by turning over management of the event to Dixon Main Street,” Wadsworth said. "Reagan Trail Days will continue its mission to honor President Reagan, and Dixon as his hometown.”

After serving on the Reagan Trail Days committee in 2008, Dixon Main Street executive director Josh Albrecht is excited about Main Street’s new role in leading the Reagan Trail Days activities.

“We are truly honored to have been asked to lead this great community event,” Albrecht said. “The downtown is where Ronald Reagan went to church, to the library and to shop. And just a short walk up Reagan Way takes you to his boyhood home. Our involvement with an event celebrating his life is natural.”

During the past eight years, the Reagan Trail Days has grown steadily. The RTD Committee has developed a great connection to the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and members of its crew and the Navy band. It also has developed the annual honoring of Dixon High School graduates, the Reagan Legacy Award, pontoon rides at Lowell Park, Jelly Belly contests, trolley tours and much, much more.

“Dixon Main Street will work with the RTD committee members to ensure that all the great traditions are continued in 2009 and beyond,” Albrecht said. “This past year, Main Street helped to organize the first Thai Festival as part of the Reagan Trail Days events, and we hope to bring more activities to this wonderful community celebration.”

The 2009 Reagan Trail Days events are already being planned for August 14-16 and regular committee meetings will begin in January. Main Street is looking for more volunteers to help with the event, so those interested in joining the committee should contact Albrecht at 815-288-2308 or email him at mainst@grics.net.