[July 16, 2012]    

Mount Pulaski's first-ever street fair fundraiser for the courthouse foundation was a huge success Friday evening.

Climaxing a week of hard work by locals on the Mount Pulaski Courthouse, a complete evening of entertainment was provided by two live bands, Mount Pulaski Schools music instructor David Helm's Fireside Relics and Mount Pulaski School teenage band Haircut Actual; barbecued brats by Hilltop caterer Mike Richner, with help from the Sons of the American Legion; fish fry by Buff's Restaurant owner Lana Hebenstreit; an American Legion beer tent; snow cones; the Balloon Lady; and Let's Dance DJ Service.

Randy Hagenbaugh and his wife also provided an evening of fun for the youngsters, with various games on the courthouse lawn.

The state of Illinois ceased providing funding for the courthouse a few years ago, so the not-for-profit 501(3)(c) Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation has been established to solicit funding for the repair and maintenance of the 1850s Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit Courthouse, once the Logan County seat (1848-1855), where lawyers Abraham Lincoln, Samuel Treat, Stephen A. Douglas, Judge David Davis and others practiced law twice a year as they rode the 450-mile circuit in the 1840s to the mid-1850s, when fewer county seats were connected by rail service.

Pictures and text by Phil Bertoni

Fireside Relics -- David Helm, director and bass guitar; Tyler White, lead vocalist and acoustic guitar; Nick Park,  vocalist and rhythm guitar; Aaron Davis,  lead guitar; Ed Williamson, drums; and Carl Becker, keyboards and organ

Mike Richer, owner of Hilltop Catering, scoops out his barbecue coals.

 

Bratwurst tent -- co-owner Jennifer Richner, Jeff Laatsch and Frank Buckles

Beer tent by Mount Pulaski American Legion Post 447

 

Joyce Maxheimer and Gini Bertoni have a laugh.

Crowd picture on west side of square