Thousands of antique John Deere tractor enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada travel to the Quad Cities and home of Deere & Company in March 2018 to attend the “Gathering of the Green” conference.
The “Gathering of the Green” is a biannual event for John Deere two-cylinder and New Generation tractor collectors, restorers and enthusiasts. Over the years, thousands of event participants have traveled to the Quad Cities from coast to coast and from foreign countries to spend time with fellow John Deere fans.
2018’s gathering focuses on the 100th anniversary of John Deere entering the farm tractor business through the acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company in 1918. Approximately 596 different tractor models have been designed, produced, and sold during this era including the revered Two-Cylinder, New Generation and Generation II tractors which are collected, restored, and enjoyed by devotees around the world.
The RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd St. in downtown Davenport, Iowa, is transformed with elaborate displays throughout that focus on the 2018 theme, “Legend, Made Legacy”, to also commemorate the centennial year of John Deere’s tractor business with iconic tractors and implements, and to take a step back into the American farm yard of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
- Conference attendees can attend 60+ technical and historical workshops by top expects, and there will be sessions for spouses over the three days.
- There are tours of John Deere factories, ag-related sites, and Quad Cities popular attractions.
- Enjoy evening speakers: Deere Archivist, Neil Dahlstrom, and Deere’s director of Global Tractor Portfolio Development, Graham Thompson.
- 70-80 vendors that offer restoration services, parts, memorabilia, books and manuals, tires, decals, signs, and more.
- Friday Night Fun Banquet and Auction and Saturday’s closing banquet.
Conference registration is only $40. Go to www.gatheringofthegreen.com for detailed information about the conference including online registration, list of workshops, tours, and vendors to date. Full conference attendees receive the souvenir program. Single Day registration is available at the door for $10.
If you have questions, please call/text 563-845-3298 or E-mail Info@gatheringofthegreen.com. Also see the Gathering FACEBOOK page.
Once again, members of the four sponsoring two-cylinder tractor clubs located in central and northern Illinois and eastern Iowa have worked for many months to put together another outstanding conference - Deer Valley Collectors, Illinois Valley Two-Cylinder Club, North Eastern Illinois Twin-Cylinder Club, and Northwest Illinois Deer Collectors Club.
For information on the Quad Cities, contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at
800-747-7800 or visit their website at www.visitquadcities.com.
The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2-1Ž2 hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.
