Winners of this year's Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting
Contest were:
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First place, $1.000
-- Ryan Evans, 26, of Silva, Mo.
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Second place, $500 --
Oliver Friedlein, 68, of Hull
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Third place, $250 --
Chris Friedlein, of LeRoy
-
Fourth place, $100 --
Larry Hill, of Silva, Mo.
Supporting activities that make up the festival were expanded
this year with numerous new events, many away from the fairgrounds.
Some were just for viewing entertainment, and others offered
interactive fun. From a cemetery walk to tree climbing to soap
carving and old-fashioned baseball, fun could be found all day for
the whole family.
A first-time ball drew a nice crowd that enjoyed an evening of
traditional dancing on Friday evening.
In addition to the grandstand contests and musical entertainment,
there were numerous displays, interactive events, entertainment and
vendors spread throughout the Logan County Fairgrounds on Saturday
and Sunday.
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The evolution of life on the prairie was depicted through re-created
scenes that looked right out of "Little House on the Prairie." Some
traditional skills have changed little, such as carving, quilting
and trapping for furs. Practitioners displayed their wares and were
ready to share how it was done back then and today.
Various types of equipment were on display, including plows,
tractors, model trains, engines and motors. Fresh laundry fragrance
permeated the air as a diesel-motorized wringer washer swished suds
in a tub.
Enactors depicted life on the prairie, cooking over open fires as
children played games outside mock homesteads and camps.
While crowds appeared somewhat sparse at times, everything was
well-organized. This year, events were spread more throughout town,
with shuttles circulating from the fairgrounds to Lincoln College
Museum, downtown Lincoln, Memorial Park and the Sportsmen's Club.
The event is expected to build to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
celebration.
The Logan Railsplitting
Association thanks all of the 2006 festival sponsors and donors
for their contributions and support. Thanks also to all the
participants and the festival goers. Several things hurt attendance,
but the group is planning for 2007.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
