years as the Van Brunt Company, were moved to the Des Moines facilities. This was a big shift for the Horicon Works, as the transition not only meant the end of Foundry operations but also the transition of hundreds of employees away from farm manufacturing and into consumer manufacturing.

Today, the Horicon Works manufactures the latest in lawn care equipment and utility vehicles and has built a reputation for manufacturing durable and reliable products for generations of John Deere customers.

From the early beginnings of Deere and Company’s introduction into the lawn and garden tractor market, it has come a long way. The introduction of Deere’s first hydrostat transmission in the Model 140 in 1968, and the first diesel powered Model 430 in 1984, are just a few more milestones.

Throughout its history, Deere has become a leader in lawn and garden technology as well. With the SST16 spin-steer capabilities, to todays drive-over decks, all designed to make the job of mowing easier and faster, customers are still getting more freedom on the weekends to do what everyone wants to do: relax and enjoy!

Brian Holst is the Heritage Marketing and Branded Properties Manager at Deere & Company.

JOHN DEERE COLLECTORS GATHER TO CELEBRATE
“WEEKEND OF FREEDOM MACHINES” AND 50 YEARS OF MOWING

This summer, July 26-28, John Deere collectors and enthusiasts will gather near Horicon, Wisconsin, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first John Deere lawn and garden tractor. Sponsored by John Deere Horicon Works and Lawn & Garden Tractor Magazine, this three-day event will celebrate the 1963 John Deere Model 110 Lawn and Garden Tractor – known as the Weekend Freedom Machine.

Only 1,000 model 110s were made in 1963, all in Horicon, and more than 100 are expected to be on display. More than 1000 Deere garden tractors will be displayed by collectors, along with a variety of lawn and garden tractor memorabilia.

Although all models of John Deere lawn and garden tractors are welcome to exhibit at this free event, the center of attention will be the 1963 Model 110s. Special events include a daily parade of tractors, a reunion of 1963s, a lawn tractor show and exhibit, swap meet, lawn and garden memorabilia displays, blacksmith demonstrations by the John Deere Blacksmith, and special photo opportunities with legendary tractors.

Of special interest to collectors and enthusiast will be several question and answer sessions with John Deere retirees who worked with the original Model 110s. They will talk about the engineering, production, and sales of the 1963 Model 110.

The “Weekend of Freedom Machines” event is entirely free and open to the public. Attendees will also have access to food vendors, campsites and free parking. For more information, visit the event’s facebook page here. Event details are as follows:

July 26 – July 28, 2013
Friday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Saturday, July 27, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. • Sunday, July 28, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Dodge County Fairgrounds • State Highway 33 • Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 53916

For registration and event questions contact:
Kate Goelzhauser, 812-455-5870, kate@lagtmag.com • Darren Redding, 765-432-2571, Darren_redding_580@yahoo.com