Day 2 - June 7 - Sidney, NE to Sioux City, IA

The Ringers loaded up the bus at 7:15am and were on the road by 8:00am with such long bus day's ahead we need to be packed and ready to go quickly. The Ringers get faster and faster loading up the bus each stop and today was a great start with so many new Ringers.

Bus day activities consist of many different things here are just some of the fun things that happen on the bus.

Eating lunch and snacking and snacking and more snacking.

Playing on their phones.

Drawing and watching dance moms.

Giving Molly the run down on boyfriends!

Telling Terry what the difference is between Base Bells & Tink Bells, 

Because Bass is Beautiful!

Playing JackBox in the back of the bus.

Molly introduced the cross stitch pattern which was created by Katie Lay our previous Director the pattern is a beautiful stained glass window, which is the theme for our daily devotionals.

The chaperones created 3 jeopardy games based on our stops and tour manual for our long bus rides the Front of the Bus beat the back of the bus in final Jeopardy! Winning a 3 pack of gum each. Who will win the next round?

There is always sleeping, laughing and lots of time bonding!

We arrived in Sioux City, Iowa around 4:30pm and our Directors, CP and Molly were greeted with a huge hug from Gene Wagner the Music Director First United Methodist Church. We played here last year and it was a wonderful venue with a lovely and warm community. We had a wonderful pasta dinner with garlic bread, fruits and dessert!

The Ringers played a great concert in our formals and had 85+ in attendance to support their music! Many had come the previous year so it was nice to see some familiar faces. They always love to talk about bells and have the patrons come and talk to them after the concert. 

The night ended with us packing up the bells and meeting the host for the night. It is always nice to have a bed and a shower after a long day on the road and playing a concert. 

It was a wonderful stop Sioux City, Iowa!

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!