Hollywood in the Heartland

Hollywood in the Heartland

 

April 8th - April 11th, 2025

 

Journey with us on Day 1 to Iowa where we will rest at the Drury Inn in West Des Moines for three evenings.

 

Day 2 We travel to Winterset stopping at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center for freshly baked apple fritters and coffee while shopping for souvenirs and viewing some movie memorabilia.

We enjoy a two hour step on guided tour of The Bridges of Madison County followed by lunch (farm fresh ingredients) at the Henry Wallace Farm and a short program. This afternoon we will tour the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum as well as the Iowa Quilt Museum. Our final activity for the day is a visit to the historic Iowa Theatre for a special program on the cinema's long history, renovation, and Iowa in the movies. Here you will enjoy a special reel, popcorn and soda.

 

 

Day 3 We travel to Clear Lake to enjoy lunch and a deluxe tour of the Surf Ballroom and the Fox House.

To many, the Surf Ballroom is an American cultural icon as well as an important historical landmark. The original Surf Ballroom was located across the street from its current location on the shores of Clear Lake. It officially opened for business on April 17, 1933 with a $1.00 dance on a 90x120 foot hardwood dance floor. The Surf was one of three such ventures for its developer, Carl J. Fox - along with two sister ballrooms, The Terp located in Austin, Minnesota (built in 1938) and the Prom located in St. Paul, Minnesota (built in 1940).

 

 

The 1950's saw the dawning of rock and roll, and then manager Carroll Anderson was quick to book the hottest names in the business. Artists like The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Little Richard, Jan and Dean and Conway Twitty all took the stage here. The Surf Ballroom was one of the first ballrooms in the state to feature rock 'n roll, and the big name rock acts featured here made it a "must-play" venue on the performance circuit. This was the case on February 2, 1959, when Anderson brought in the famed Winter Dance Party featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Dion & The Belmonts and Frankie Sardo. It was this fateful show that made the most lasting mark on the Surf Ballroom. On February 3, 1959, American  rock and roll musicians  Buddy Holly,  Ritchie Valens, and  "The Big Bopper" J.P Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near  Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event became known as "The Day the Music Died" after singer-songwriter  Don McLean referred to it as such in his 1971 song " American Pie".

 

 

Following lunch and the tour we will visit the Memorial Crash Site before continuing back to Des Moines.

Day 4 We travel home full of appreciation for the music that inspired many of our lives.

 

Your trip includes 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.

 

 

Occupancy	Due At Booking	Due 1/25/2025
Double-$995	$695	$300
Single-$1,295	$695	$600
Triple-$945	$695	$250
Quad-$895	$695	$200