The original Grand Excursion of 1854 celebrated America’s first railroad connection to the Mississippi River. This event hosted more than 1200 dignitaries, politicians, journalists, business leaders and artists, including the 13th United States President, Millard Fillmore, on a journey that began on rail from Chicago to Rock Island, Ill., then by steamboat up river from Rock Island to Saint Paul, Minn. and Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, with several stops in riverfront communities along the way. Grand Excursion 2004 will retrace this historic adventure. Participants in Grand Excursion 2004 will have hundreds of opportunities to participate in special events, festivals, parades and programs showcasing riverfront improvements, pathways and tourist attractions in the participating communities in this four-state initiative (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota).
Grand Excursion 2004 is a collaborative effort of more that 50 upper Mississippi River communities and dozens of regional organizations guided by Grand Excursion, Inc., a non-profit organization coordinating this unprecedented four-state initiative designed to celebrate the renaissance of the upper Mississippi River region.
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| History |
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| Vision and Mission |
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| Educate, Celebrate, Commemorate Programs |
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| Leadership & Staff |
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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