Candlelight parade in Springfield for Abe

[February 11, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- An evening parade in downtown Springfield on Thursday, Abraham Lincoln' s 200th birthday, will be reminiscent of the torchlight parades of the 19th century.

The Springfield Jaycees have organized the candlelight parade, and the public is invited to attend and march in support of Springfield' s favorite son. Anyone interested in participating should gather at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, on the corner of Eighth and Jackson streets. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and march to the Old State Capitol, ending at approximately 6 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own candles, lanterns or flashlights, as well as cowbells or any other type of bell they can "ring" in support of Lincoln. Period costumes are also encouraged, as well as campaign signs and Lincoln posters. Local high school bands, Scout troops and color guards have also been invited to attend.

"This is a wonderful, simple, old-fashioned way of demonstrating Springfield' s love and support of our 16th president on the historic occasion of his 200th birthday," said Marilyn Kushak, chairwoman of the Illinois Bicentennial Commission, which endorses the event. "We hope all of Springfield will turn out for this free event."

The parade is a joint project of Springfield Jaycees, Looking for Lincoln, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

For more information, contact Rachel Griminger of the Springfield Jaycees at 971-1652.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission]