Marion Iowa News

Aftermath: Manchester prepares for RAGBRAI

Breach! Posted 24 July 2010
Lake Delhi

Photos Courtesy of the Iowa State Patrol

Lake Delhi Dam







Hopkinton

It's The Nadas!

The Nadas welcome home Shawn Johnson The Nadas | MySpace Music Videos

Posted 14 May 2010
One of the state's most popular bands will be the concert headliner for Manchester's Ragbrai event. The Nadas will perform Friday night, July 30th.

The Nadas are a group of rockers from Des Moines. Over the past sixteen years, The Nadas have built a strong community of fans and together they have sold more than 125,000 albums through their own Authentic Records, including 2003’s Transceiver and 2005’s Listen Through The Static, both produced by Todd and Toby Pipes of Deep Blue Something, as well as 2007’s The Ghosts Inside These Halls.

Now, with Almanac, their seventh LP, they are confident they will continue to grow their community, bringing in new fans and new beginnings. The Nadas will perform at Manchester's Ragbrai event late Friday night in the main entertainment area near the Delaware County Courthouse, though the exact time have not been set.

Along with The Nadas, the Entertainment Committee also plans to hold at least two other concerts in the afternoon and evening. More details will be announced when those performances are finalized.

Big Bud Staying at Heartland Acres

Posted 19 July 2010
“Big Bud 16V - 747”, the world’s largest tractor, will be staying at Heartland Acres through August 22. 

Arriving in April, Big Bud has representatives of Heartland Acres in Independence expecting big things for visitors who come to the agriculture museum.  “All of us who have worked to get “Big Bud” to come to Independence are very excited”, stated Heartland Acres Board member Craig Johnson.  “This is a great opportunity to bring more visitors to Independence and Northeast Iowa.” 

Built in Havre, Montana in 1977, “Big Bud” was 1 of over 500 “Big Bud” brand tractors that were built by Ron Harmon and the crew of the Northern Manufacturing Company.  “Big Bud” is the only 16V-747 model that was produced and was specifically designed to produce higher horsepower to deep-plow cotton fields for the Rossi Brothers near Bakersfield, California.  The tractor was built to produce 760 horsepower using a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine but has operated at 980 horsepower. “Big Bud” measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 14 feet tall and weighs over 130,000 pounds.

“Big Bud” will be making its way to Iowa for the first time in history and with tractor enthusiasts located throughout the Midwest, an increase of tourists to Independence is almost certain.  “Big Bud is known globally so this is not only an exciting opportunity for our area, but for the entire Midwest”, commented Heartland Acres Events Manager Mike McGill.  “We have reached out to the state tourism office as well as over twenty other organizations that we partner with in ag tourism to help us as we plan for Big Bud’s arrival.”    

As a member benefit, Chamber members across the state will receive a discount on adult admission to Heartland Acres while Big Bud is being displayed.  “Participating organizations and their members will receive $2 off the adult admission by showing our staff this article, a membership card or by simply stating that they’re visiting as a member of the Chamber of Commerce”, added McGill. 

Visitor’s to Heartland Acres will be able to see “Big Bud 16V-747” from April 12th until July 31st; making it the longest stop at any site in its tour history.   

For more information about “Big Bud” and Heartland Acres visit www.heartlandacresusa.com or call 319-332-0123.