56th Annual International Fire Buff Associates Convention
Racine, Wisconsin - August 13th to the 16th, 2008
Tentative Schedule

Wednesday – August 13th
0900   Registration Opens – All Day
1200  Tours – Firehouse 3 Museum, Dispatch Centers
1300  IFBA Executive Board Meeting - Mt Pleasant, Caledonia, Sturtevant Apparatus Display at Hotel
1800  Opening Ceremonies, Fire Chief’s Reception to follow

Thursday – August 14th
0700    Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
0830    Racine – North Side Apparatus / South Side Apparatus
1100    SC Johnson Wax – Waxdale Orientation/Fire Protection Tour
1200    Lunch - Waxdale
1330    Somers, Kenosha, and Pleasant Prairie Apparatus
1600    Back to the Hotel – Dinner on your own
1900    Workshops, Area Fire Buffing, FH 3 Museum

Friday – August 15th
0700    Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
0900    General Membership Meeting – IFBA
1130    Delegates/Alternate Lunch
1300    Open Afternoon – Workshops - Dinner on your own
1900    2009 Convention Preview, Area Fire Buffing, Ice Cream Social

Saturday – August 16th
0700    Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
0845    Union Grove, Kansasville & Raymond FD (Racine County Fairground)
1030    LDV Emergency Vehicles / US Tank Apparatus Display
City/Town of Burlington FD, Burlington Rescue Apparatus Display
1215    Cotton Exchange Hwy 20/83 – Lunch
Waterford, Rochester, Tichigan, Wind Lake Apparatus Display
1500    Arrive back at hotel
1830    Cocktails/Banquet, Installation of Officers, FB of the Year

Sunday – August 17th
0700    Breakfast on your own at Hotel

Possible Workshops

Rehab Canteen Service
Web Site Layout
Fire Buff Communications (Radios/Pagers)
Wills & Trusts
Newsletter Layout
Digital Photography
MABAS Presentation
Grants and Funding

Area Attractions – Points of Interest
Come two days early, or leave two days late and
enjoy many other attractions in the area.

Fire Museums
Aurora Fire Museum – Aurora, IL
Elgin Fire Museum – Elgin, IL
Chicago Fire Museum – Chicago, IL
Milwaukee Fire Historical Society Museum/Safety Center
Firehouse 3 Museum – Racine,  WI
Fire Bell Farm – Slinger, WI. 

Railroad Museums
Illinois Fire Museum – Union, IL
Rossville Depot Railroad Museum – Rossville, IL
New Rochelle, IL – Major railroad crossing for Union Pacific,
and Burlington Northern
National Railroad Museum – Green Bay, WI
East Troy Electric Trolley Museum – East Troy, WI

Other Area Attractions
Many area Golf Courses
Milwaukee Zoo
Racine Zoo
Dog Track Racing – Kenosha, WI Dairyland Track
Potowamati Gambling & Bingo – Milwaukee, WI
Gurnee Mills Mall - Gurnee, IL
Factory Outlet Mall – Kenosha, WI
Grand Avenue Mall – Milwaukee, WI
Regency Mall – Racine, WI
Prime Outlet Mall  – Kenosha, WI
Six Flags Great America Amusement and Water Park – Gurnee, IL
Milwaukee Brewers/Chicago Cubs

Marriott Hotel Lodging - $95 a night  + tax.  No Parking Fees

Convention Registration Fee (Tentative) - $185

Optional Ladies Program tentatively planned – Grand Tour of Lake Geneva, WI including lunch is planned for Friday August 15th.  Cost Estimate $40/person.  Includes a boat tour of Lake Geneva, playground for many rich and famous people from the Midwest and across the country plus time for shopping in downtown Lake Geneva. 

Child Care will be provided for the Banquet.