Looking for Lincoln exhibit at Illinois State fair includes famous custom Harley Davidson Circuit Rider motorcycle

[August 08, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD - Visitors to this year’s Illinois State Fair (8/13-8/23), will once again be able to visit with Abraham Lincoln and take in many other experiences at the Looking for Lincoln exhibit located on the lawn of the Illinois Building at the main gate.

The “History Comes Alive” program, which has been active in Springfield for several years, features costumed interpreters, strolling musicians, storytelling, children’s games & activities and visits with President Lincoln. Experience this fun program from 10am-4pm daily at the Looking for Lincoln area at the fair. Highlights include “Ask Abe Anything: a Q & A with President Lincoln” and “Music Lincoln Loved: Chris Vallillo,” a program that is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Featured tourism partners of the Looking for Lincoln National Heritage Area take turns each day promoting their piece of Abraham Lincoln history. Along the lines of this theme, and new this year, will be the presence of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on Monday August 17th and on the last day of the fair on Sunday August 23rd. The Byway will have available their brand new visitors guide, and will also be accompanied on the last day of the fair by the famous “The Circuit Rider” Harley-Davidson custom motorcycle, that celebrates the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, which will be on display, courtesy of Dick Levi of Levi, Ray and Shoup.

“We are thrilled to be working with Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway again and we are working on other collaborative projects in the future,” said Sarah Watson, executive director of the Looking for Lincoln National Heritage Area.

“Abraham Lincoln helped to chart out the railway system in this country, and decades later, major highways logically developed for commercial transportation along these same established rail lines. Illinois Route 66 is a prime example,” said Watson.

“Looking for Lincoln has always had a strong presence and has added greatly to the chemistry at the travel exposition at Springfield’s annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival,” said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

“Likewise, many travelers to our Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area are using their trip along Route 66 to get to our Looking for Lincoln attractions,” said Kelly. “There is also a similar symbiotic relationship with Illinois Amish Country.”

The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition (LFLHC) is a consortium of Illinois communities and sites that share the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The purpose of the coalition is to tell the stories about Lincoln unique to each site and each community. While focusing upon Lincoln, the coalition also encompasses the rich history of each participating community in order to create a broader context for Lincoln and his times.

The mission of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is to enhance and promote economic opportunities for each Illinois Route 66 community by preserving Illinois route 66 heritage and by sustaining and increasing heritage and cultural tourism through the development and marketing of a cohesive Illinois route 66 product.

Both groups are 501(c)(3) non-profit tax deductible organizations and are located in Springfield.

[Geoff Ladd, Project Administrator, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway]