GENESEO, Ill. — Geneseo's Planes, Trains and Automobiles festival is returning to the community for its 18th year! There will be events all around downtown Geneseo from Thursday, Sept. 5 to Saturday, Sept. 7. The festival is free and open to the public, and organizers said they've been working to add more family-friendly opportunities for all ages to enjoy.
"You get to go see the planes, the trains, up close, all the beautiful cars, of course. And this year, the museum is doing stuff for kids. You can make your own little wooden plane, or we're going to have a contest with airplanes, and it's something where just the whole family can get involved, and you can experience a little bit of everything," Jessica Reece with the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce said.
Here's a rundown of everything in store for the weekend:
Thursday, Sept. 5
- WWII Stearman fly-in at Gen-Airpark from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Pets are not allowed at this event.
Friday, Sept. 6
- Cruise the Canal from Hennepin Canal Lock #24 to Lock #26 and back
- Tours will be offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Reservations are required and cost $25 per person. Call the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at 309-944-2686 to claim your spot.
- TPA Pre-Party at 101 S. Chicago Street
- Food Trucks will be available from 5-9 p.m.
- Ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m.
- Live music from Soul Cage from 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7
- Downtown Geneseo 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Maple City Cruisers Car Show in downtown Geneseo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- No pets are allowed.
- Registration for the show is open from 7-11 a.m.
- Dash plaques will be given to the first 300 entries.
- Live music from 3D Sound from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Ribbon-cutting on mural #4 at the Harold Neumann mural at 9 a.m.
- Harold Neumann Aviation Pioneer Celebration at the Geneseo Historical Museum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Col. John Morrissey will speak at 10:30 a.m.
- Harold Neumann Q&A Panel at 11:30 a.m.
- Family activities and games for all ages will be available from 12:30-2 p.m.
- Take a look at an operating model train display from the Geneseo Model Railroaders at 154 E. Exchange St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Youth pedal car parade meeting at The Cellar at 10:45 a.m.
- VFW Color Guard, airplane fly-over at noon.
- Trophy Awards & Geneseo Chamber 50/50 raffle drawing at 2 p.m.