 On June 28, organizers in the far northwestern Illinois community of
Elizabeth will attempt to set a new world record for a gathering of
people named Elizabeth. The daylong celebration, "The Gathering of
Elizabeths," will honor several women named Elizabeth after whom
this Jo Daviess County community of nearly 700 was named in the
1840s.Planned activities will include the crowning of a "Queen
Elizabeth" for the day, a group photo taken with fellow Elizabeths,
a craft show and downtown business sidewalk sale, and a fashion show
featuring styles from the past and the present -- all with a goal of
setting a world record worthy of inclusion in the Guinness Book of
World Records.
"We are thrilled to welcome all Elizabeths to celebrate a long
history of outstanding and courageous women around the world," said
event planner Susan Gordy.
In 1832 the women of the Apple River settlement vigorously
defended the Apple River Fort against an attack by Black Hawk and
200 of his Native American warriors, prompting fort resident John
Flack to say, "Such bravery and heroism amongst women has scarcely
been surpassed in any country." The settlement was later renamed
Elizabeth in honor of several of those brave women with the same
name.
[to top of second column] |
Visitors to Elizabeth on June 28 may tour a reconstruction of the
famous Black Hawk War fort that is now a historic tourist attraction
operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. People with
first or middle names of Elizabeth are encouraged to attend the June
28 event. Participants will be asked to provide identification in
order to register for the event and to help provide the total number
of Elizabeths that will be submitted for consideration to the
Guinness Book of World Records.
Elizabeths of all ages are welcome to join the fun, remembering
the words of another famous namesake, Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "A
woman's always younger than a man of equal years."
The Gathering of Elizabeths is sponsored by the Elizabeth Chamber
of Commerce and the Apple River Fort Foundation. For more
information, visit
www.mostelizabeths.com or call 815-858-2028 or 815-858-2217.
[Text from
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
