Day 1 - June 6 - SLC to Sidney, NE

 After all our hard work playing concerts and raising money throughout the year, it’s finally time for the highlight of the year: Tour!

We got off to an interesting start this morning when a tree won the battle of tree vs. bus window.

Our driver was able to get a new bus, and after a short delay, we said our goodbyes and we were on our way to Nebraska. 

It’s a long travel day, so we made a quick stop for lunch before hitting the road again. We’re excited for the days ahead and looking forward to sharing more updates from tour!

We arrived safe and sound in Sidney, Nebraska. The First Methodist sanctuary featured beautiful stained-glass windows, and the congregation was warm and welcoming. 

They treated us to a delicious meal of grilled hamburgers, baked beans, fruit, chips, and dessert.

First Methodist has a bell choir, so we were delighted to have some experienced ringers in the audience.

The church put us up in the parsonage next door, which gave us plenty of room to spread out and relax.

The next morning, they hosted a wonderful cinnamon roll breakfast. What a fantastic place to kick off our tour!

Summer Tour 2026

 And here we go!

Tour 59 - Day 16 - Bozeman, MT to Salt Lake City, UT

 

Today we were on the bus signing tour manuals, similar to yearbook day in high school. We had a great trip but now it means the year is almost done. It's a bittersweet day for our senior ringers. We will miss them and the heartfelt messages written in the tour manuals show how much everyone cares for each other. 

We will miss our home away from home on the bus:

 

 

 

We will miss our friends and playing together:

 

 

We will miss our concert shenanigans:

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone for a fun year and tour. We love our bell family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tour 59 - Day 15 - Billings, MT to Bozeman, MT

Today was a pretty short drive to Bozeman which meant we had time for shopping and exploring this cute town. Today was the traditional senior lunch where all seniors are celebrated with a lunch with them, CP, and Molly. Thanks to all our seniors!

Here are our super and super seniors who have completed their last year with the choir. We will miss you!

After shopping and lunch we came back to the bus and choir members voted for the Marsha Vilvan award. This award is chosen by ringers who they feel has contributed the most to the choir in the last year. The winner will be announced at the home concert. Only one day to go!

Our fabulous hosts at Bozeman United Methodist Church grilled hamburgers for us and brought a variety of salad and desserts. 

 

This is a bell choir community so we had an audience of bell music enthusiasts. The best part of the stop was a visit from WBR alumni Pamela Adams and her mom, former chaperone Tiffini Adams. 

 

 

We spent the night at the church. There was a some karaoke. Boom brought bagels. 

 

 

Next stop: Salt Lake City!

 

Tour 59 - Day 14 - Glendive, MT to Billings, MT

We had the night off at a hotel so everyone was able to sleep in. We did find that after our busy days on the road we got up a little earlier than usual. Our hotel had a pancake machine which was fun.

Our original plans for today were foiled because of a rain and thunder storm so we pivoted and went bowling instead. No one is going to quit the choir to become a professional bowler but we had fun and there were no injuries to ringing hands or shoulders. 

 

 

We arrived at First United Methodist in Billings. They church has beautiful stained glass windows. They treated us to a baked potato bar and salad for dinner. 

 

 

We had a small but appreciative audience. 

We had a church stay tonight so after the concert we changed clothes and walked to a local ice cream shop. 

We had a sleepover in the church gym. Our hosts brought us some breakfast before we got in the road to Bozeman.  We are winding down and will be home soon.