DANVILLE — In the past, the Dixie Highway was a perfect route for a family out on a weekend jaunt.

On Saturday, people can recreate that simpler time — a time before busier schedules and higher gas prices — by participating in the seventh annual Drivin’ the Dixie.

More than 30 vehicles of all makes and models are expected to take part in the parade up Illinois Route 1, starting in downtown Danville and driving north to Momence east of Kankakee. The route is about 80 miles.

Drivers may travel as far as they want.

Wendy Wilder, staff assistant at the Vermilion County Museum, said any type of vehicle may join the parade — from antique to modern. There’s even a 2011 Equinox registered, she said.

Registration is free, and participants may register between 9 and 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot next to City Hall at Main and Walnut streets. Registration forms also can be downloaded from the museum website.

People can enjoy looking at the vehicles in the lot before the parade starts at 10 a.m. Vehicles have to observe the traffic signals along the way.

The annual drive up the highway is a way to recognize the history and importance of the Dixie Highway.

The first 25 registrants will receive a Dixie dash plaque. Dash plaques are being provided by Danville Paper & Supply, Inc., Advance Auto Parts, Mr. Tire, and NAPA Auto Parts.

Participants also will receive a passport when they register. The passport can be stamped at various points along the route to be eligible for door prizes, including meals at local restaurants.

Something new this year is that participants who make a purchase at three of the sponsors’ businesses will be eligible for a drawing for a $25 gas card after they turn in their receipts.

In past years, towns along Route 1 have staged special events or flea markets. This year, however, Bismarck is the only one having its town-wide rummage sales; the 4-H group will operate a concession stand. The sales will be between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.; maps may be obtained inside the Bismarck fire house.

The passport stops are:

• Big R of Danville, 3363 N. Vermilion (go to the service desk)
• Bismarck: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Newell Township Historical Society in Pleasant View Church building
• Rossville: Casey’s General Store, 112 S. Chicago St.
• Hoopeston: Henning’s Root Beer Stand, 411 S. Dixie Highway
• Milford: Casey’s General Store, 100 W. Jones
• St. Anne: Casey’s General Store, Route 1
• Momence: Dixie Booth at Island Park

For participants, Wilder said, “We do have some good prizes.”

Door prizes are being donated by Big R of Danville, Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Deluxe Restaurant, Diveley Development Corp., Downtown Danville, Inc., Jocko’s, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Monical’s Pizza, Montana Mike’s Restaurant, O’Leary’s Pub, Putt Zone and Vermilion Advantage.

Dixie history

The Dixie Highway was created in 1914 as part of a tourism promotion to encourage travel between the Midwest and the Deep South.

The western branch of the route started in downtown Chicago and followed Illinois Route 1 — the historic Hubbard Trail — south to Danville’s Redden Square, named for Rossville native and World War I hero Curtis Redden. It then turned east on U.S. 136 to Indiana.

The original dirt road was paved in brick and then in 1939 replaced with concrete.

An original section of the brick Dixie Highway can still be seen to the west of Route 1 north of Danville.

FYI

For more information, go to http://www.vermilioncountymuseum.org or call 442-2922 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.