Wild Rose and WHO Radio this morning announced plans for the 21st Annual Tractor Ride this summer to be held in and around Greene County. Pictured are (from left) Travis Dvorak, Wild Rose Jefferson general manager, Jefferson Mayor Craig Berry, Joel McCrea, station manager for WHO Radio, and Tom Timmons, president and chief operation officer of the Iowa-based Wild Rose Casino & Resort organization. Wild Rose will host the tractor ride.

Wild Rose Jefferson selected to host WHO Radio’s Annual Tractor Ride

Organizers expect more than 400 tractors, thousands of enthusiasts

DES MOINES

Wild Rose Casino & Resort in Jefferson has been chosen as the host site for this year’s 21st Annual WHO Radio Tractor Ride, to be held June 25-27 in and around Greene County.

Bob Quinn, WHO Radio ag reporter, announced Jefferson and Wild Rose as the site of this year’s tractor ride at a launch event earlier today at the Machine Shed restaurant in Urbandale.

As the state’s first and most-famous tractor ride event pops, rumbles and rolls into its third decade, Aaron Harn, marketing director of Wild Rose, said his company is honored to have been chosen as this year’s starting and ending point for each day of the three-day ride, which will feature more than 400 classic tractors.

“We are looking forward to rolling out the red carpet for these lovingly restored red, green, orange, yellow, white, grey and blue symbols of the heartland’s agricultural history,” Harn said. “Whether you’ve never missed a ride since 1996, or this is your first time to participate, this year’s event is one that tractor enthusiasts and tourists won’t want to miss.”

Featuring gaming, food, entertainment, colorful tractors and their often-colorful owners, the event will be kicked off earlier in the week at Wild Rose with a concert by legendary entertainer Leroy Van Dyke and his Country Gold Tour on Sunday, June 25.

The casino is well into its second year of operation in Greene County, and Travis Dvorak, general manager of Wild Rose Jefferson, pointed out that the tractor ride is a great way to celebrate the country’s 241st birthday.

“I served in the military and parades were a way to showcase our troops, resources and strength,” Dvorak explained. “Here in the heartland, we have every bit as much to be proud of in terms of our contributions to Iowa, the United States and the world. Hosting this event with WHO celebrates our agricultural heritage with a compelling parade of tractors of every brand, make and color.”

Since opening in mid-July 2015, nearly 750,000 people have passed through the turnstiles at the Jefferson casino, and more than 35,000 have attended events and shows at Wild Rose.

The casino also has generated more than $2 million for local projects and charities. The funds distributed by Grow Greene County Gaming Corp. include gear for public safety officers, trail construction, health care facilities, library renovation, education and the Mahanay Bell Tower.

“Entertainment is our business,” Harn noted. “In addition to gaming, dining and lodging, we have offered concerts from several genres, comedians and dinner theater. As we host the extremely popular WHO Radio Tractor Ride, which draws national attention, we are showcasing one of our most important industries and the broad range of entertainment and tourism Iowa has to offer.”

Other entertainment slated for the Wild Rose Greene Room in the coming months includes:
— Feb. 18, 2017 — BJ Thomas (rescheduled)
— March 11, 2017 — One Night of Queen by Gary Mullen & the Works
— April 15, 2017 — Ultimate Productions Extreme Challenge MMA
— April 28, 2017 — Blues Traveler (Ultimate and VIP sold out)
— May 19, 2017 — Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute Band
— June 25, 2017 — The Leroy Van Dyke Country Gold Tour featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Jimmy Fortune, T. Graham Brown, T.G. Sheppard and Mandy Barnett.
— July 1-4, 2017 — 9/11 Traveling Memorial by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
— July 4, 2017 — Cory Cox, free show in the Greene Room (has opened for Blake Shelton, Dirks Bentlyand and Sugarland).
— July 4, 2017 — Fireworks, Wild Rose to host county display

Contact Us

Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161