Fireside Dinner Theatre & Dancing Horses

Day 1

Day 1: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Grab your overnight bag – it’s time to celebrate Spring and have some fun on another Trailways Travel tour! Board the luxury motorcoach from the available departure location of your choice, meet your friendly on-board tour host and driver, then settle back and take in the scenery while visiting with your friends. Enjoy a nice lunch out today at the Citrus Café in Janesville, Wisconsin before taking a tour of the Wisconsin Wagon Company. In 1915, the “Wisconsin Carriage Company,” which had the reputation for building quality buggies, carriages, sleighs, and cutters, realized that the introduction of the automobile was adversely affecting their historic business. So, they put their efforts into the design and manufacturing of coaster wagons, “skudder” cars and other sidewalk toys. Their toys were sold by the thousands and gained a nationwide reputation.  Toys were advertised regularly in such national publications as the “Saturday Evening Post”. The Janesville Coaster was advertised as the wagon that “has more speed, gives the boys more fun.  Keeps them out in the open, builds strong, nimble bodies and quick-acting minds. Runs so easily it makes play of hauling heavy loads of groceries, coal wood, ice, milk cans, etc.” But the depression hit and although “Janesville Products” attempted to build a less expensive wagon, and even produced a prototype of a pinball machine, the factory closed in 1940. In 1978 a retired businessman seeking a special gift, a wooden wagon, for his first grandson, realized that the Janesville coaster wagon that he remembered so fondly and treasured as a child was no longer being produced.  Armed with a sketchpad he went to the community Historical Society and sketched an authentic Janesville wagon that was on display.  He then dissected the remains of an original wagon discovered in a friend’s garage and from those remains and sketches, built what was to become the first “Wisconsin Wagon Company’s” Janesville Coaster Wagon.  Today you will get to see firsthand the manufacturing process from the lumber delivery area, through manufacturing and assembly, ending ultimately in the display area where most of the products are on-hand and available for purchase if you wish. Items may be ordered and shipped anywhere.
We continue our journey to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and check into our hotel with time to freshen up before departing for The Fireside Dinner Theatre for the production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Of course, the Fireside is also well-known for its many gift shops – five in total! You will then be treated to a memorable dining experience in one of their many beautiful dining rooms. The Evening Signature Buffet begins with their Signature Salad topped with Papaya Chutney Dressing and served with Freshly Baked Breads. For each show the Chefs prepare two special entrée selections in addition to the Fireside favorites of Barbecued Pork Back Ribs, Chicken Tenderloin Tempura with Brandied Apricot Sauce, Beer Batter Fried Cod, Shrimp and Scallops Fusilli with Tomato Butter Sauce, Fresh Atlantic Salmon, Beef Tenderloin and Roast Turkey Breast from the Carving Station, Sweet Potato Souffle, Whipped Idaho Potatoes and Steamed Farm Fresh Vegetables. Dessert is Georgia Pecan Pie with a flavorful custard and roasted pecans in a flaky crust and garnished with Fresh Whipped Cream. Coffee, Tea and Milk are included with your meal, but other beverages are available for purchase.
After dessert it is time to head to our seats for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in their theatre in the round so every seat is a great seat! Venture through the true-life story of Carole King, from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her 20s, Carole had found the husband of her dreams along with a growing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ’n roll. She didn’t seem to find her own true voice until her personal life began to crumble around her. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical tells the Tony® and Grammy®-winning inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Enjoy the music she helped to create including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and the title song—Beautiful among others.
After such an eventful day, you will be ready to hit the hay and rest up for tomorrow!

Day 2

Day 2: Friday, April 26, 2024
Since yesterday was such a long day, we won’t leave quite as early this morning. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for one more adventure before returning home this evening.
Did you know that there is a “Vegas-style Horse Show in Lake Geneva”? Well, there is, and we are going! At The Dancing Horses Theatre this dazzling spectacle features an array of horse breeds who perform alongside their trainers in this fantastic 90-minute show of equestrian artistry. A talented team of creative, artistic, and technical professionals have come together to create a magical experience for you with performers who have worked for All the Kings Horses, Arabian Nights, Ringling Bros., Universal Orlando, and Walt Disney World. But here the horses are the stars – they are the heart and soul of the theatre. These beautiful Arabian horses are magnificent to see and are incredibly athletic. Enjoy a great lunch before the show and after the show you will be treated to a “Behind-the-Scenes” experience. See how they train the performing horses and have an opportunity to ask questions of the head trainer. Then you will be escorted to the rear of the theatre to see the horses up close and personal while learning more about each one.
After an enjoyable afternoon of dancing horses, it is time to make our way back home, arriving just in time for you to have dinner at home this evening!