• Home
  • Registration
  • Events
  • Sponsors
  • Things To Do
  • Contacts
  • Results

Fort Worth was established in 1849 by the U.S. Army to protect territory from the Comanche Indians, it was named after General William Jenkins Worth, a hero of the Mexican War. Ft. Worth grew into a thriving cattle and railroad center and today is home to over 1.6 million people.


TOURS

Parade 04 has something for EVERYONE. This is a real family event, with many activities planned in addition to the driving events. Listed below are some of the trips planned. Some are self-guided and can be done whenever you have a few hours, or while your honey is on the track. Others trips will be arranged by bus.

WESTERN CURRENCY FACILITY (WCF)

Highway 156, in North Fort Worth
Bureau of Engraving and Printing

This is the only Currency Facility outside of Washington, DC. It was opened on April 26, 1991, at a total cost of $110,000,000. It is currently being enlarged with a new Visitor Center due to open in May, 2004.

Tours are available Monday through Friday and are FREE. The tour of the plant takes 1 hour and involves walking on a catwalk over the printing below. The new Visitor Center will have 2 floors of interactive exhibits, a Sales Shop and snack area.

Plans are being made for a bus to take interested visitors from The Worthington Hotel to WCF on Wednesday, 7 July. Maximum number in each tour is 75, but they will use more tour guides, if necessary. There will be a nominal charge for the transportation.

From Worthington, 13.3 miles, estimated driving time 19 minutes.
From TMS, 11.9 miles, estimated driving time 15 minutes.

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL

4th and Commerce

The $67 million Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall opened in 1998. In 1999 it was selected one of the world’s top 10 opera houses by Travel & Leisure magazine. There will be sign-up sheets in the Hospitality Room for Bass Hall tours throughout the week. Groups of 25-30 will have a docent guided tour of the building and backstage. There is a $1 donation per person, to benefit the Performing Arts Children’s Education Program.

CONVENTION CENTER / WATER GARDENS

Self-guided tour. Follow Main Street until you run into the new Fort Worth Convention Center. Just beyond the CC is the outstanding Water Gardens, designed by Philip Johnson. Walking through a spectacular complex of sculpture and fountains, visitors stand 38 feet below ground level and experience 10,000 gallons of water each minute rushing down a 710-foot wall. Scenes for the movie, “Logan’s Run”, were filmed in the Water Gardens.

TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS (TRE) TO DALLAS

Self-guided tour from Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) at Jones and 12th Street in Fort Worth to Union Station in Dallas with intermediate stops. This 35-mile trip takes about one hour. Public transportation is available at Union Station in Dallas. Adult round trip $4.50, Senior round trip $1.00 (must ask for Senior rate).

VISI-TOURS ROUTES

The T has bus and trolley routes that you may use without any arrangements made through Maverick Region. A brochure called “Visi-Tour Routes” will be available in the Hospitality Room, or mailed with Registration material.

Of the destinations listed, the most popular will probably be the Stockyards and the Cultural District. There are brochures of both Route 1 and 7.

All service is FREE within the Downtown area.
Service outside the Downtown area - $1.00 one way for adult, 1/2 price for Seniors.
Local pass for all day is $2.50, or $1.00 for Seniors.
There are numerous “on / off” stops along the way.

STOCKYARDS (Route 1) Bus departs Throckmorton and 2nd Street (by Tandy Center) every 15 minutes until 7:15 pm, then each hour, 8:15, 9:15, 10:15, 11:15.

CULTURAL DISTRICT (Route 7) Take FREE Downtown bus to Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) then Route 7 to museums. Bus departs every 1Ú2 hour until 7:25 pm, then each hour, 8:25, 9:25.

RESTORED AUTO PERFORMANCE DRIVE

On Sunday, 4 July, at 8:00 am there will be a ten mile drive to show road worthiness. This drive will go through the Stockyards and Cultural area. It will be available as a self-guided tour during the rest of the week.

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS FOR SELF-DIRECTED AUTO TOURS

Texas Lakes Trail maps give easy partial day trips in every direction. Maps will be available in the Hospitality Room.

HISTORICAL SCAVENGER HUNT

Walking/driving tour (Rally) has been written to be enjoyed by competitors and just-for-fun participants. Competing participants will have 48 hours to explore the areas and answer the questions. A fun way to explore the city and pick up some Cowtown Tales along the way.