A second daily Amtrak train will travel through Portage next year giving the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce great incentive to welcome train travelers inside the Great Hall at Chicago’s Union Station. What better opportunity than to be part of the first-ever Wisconsin in Chicago Day on May 17.
Wisconsin love spread all around the beautiful train station. The Portage Chamber joined host VISIT Milwaukee, Amtrak, Travel Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Other familiar faces from the state were there, too.
Throughout the day, live music reverberated through the Great Hall. The Ho-Chunk dancers performed. A sleek H-D bike looked ready for the open road while a cut-out Bronze Fonz made the rounds. Although open flames were a no-no, noted grill masters Mad Dog and Merrill still taped their show live as travelers sampled products from Wisconsin brands.
Hence, it was a great day inside the Great Hall. Moreover, Portage is a great destination along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route. Travelers picked up the Portage visitor’s guide and community events guide while having their questions answered.
Union Station, which also serves as the hub for six Metra lines, handles about three million passengers each year. That day, travelers appeared from all around the world. Portage was on display. Consequently, some might just be planning a trip to Wisconsin – maybe even Portage – right now.
