Second annual Salt Creek ABATE Motorcycle Show at The Mill on 66 September 16th

[September 08, 2017]  LINCOLN
Salt Creek ABATE & Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County will be hosting the second annual Motorcycle Show on Saturday, September 16th from 11am to 3pm at The Mill on 66.

The event is being held as part of and in conjunction with the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival (www.railsplitting.com). All statewide ABATE members are invited as well as all motorcyclists and the public. There will be People’s Choice awards, live music from local musicians Jim Turley on bagpipes & country artist Ryan Parcelle. Cold drinks and hot pizza will be served at the event (suggested donation is appreciated). There is a $5 registration fee for motorcyclists.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place cash prizes of $125, $75 & $50 will be given to registered motorcyclists at the event.

Ryan Parcelle has performed at numerous motorcycle gatherings and fund-raisers, helping to raise money for Support the Troops, Crimestoppers and Community Heroin Awareness. He plays country, folk and southern rock music, including originals. Ryan has written 35 of his own songs and is currently recording his debut ep of all original material. 'Uppers & Downers' includes five songs written by Parcelle, and will be released in December.

Jim Turley is Lincoln’s most notable bagpipe musician, and has also played for numerous area charitable events. Jim has been playing bagpipes since 1992, including for Veteran events, Purple Heart chapters, motorcycle events and the St.
Andrew’s Society.

Salt Creek ABATE is a non-profit group that covers Logan County, and is known for their volunteer efforts and service to the community. The Mission of A.B.A.T.E. (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) of Illinois is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted, motorcycling environment. A.B.A.T.E. works to safeguard motorcycling rights, while allowing for individuals with different views. All riders are welcome. It doesn't matter if you ride a Goldwing, Harley, Cruisers, touring bikes, sport bikes or dirt bikes. More information is available at www.saltcreekabate.com.

A long time ago on July 25, 1929, Paul Coddington opened “The Blue Mill” at the corner of Washington Street and Stringer Avenue (Route 66) in Lincoln. The eatery had blue trim and continuously turning sails decorated with lights, and the waitresses dressed in blue with white aprons.

In 1945, The Mill was painted barn red and an army barracks was added onto the back to operate as a dance hall. One of the restaurant’s claims to fame was its fried schnitzel which had been passed down throughout the generations of the Huffman family. The Mill closed around 1994-1996, and fell into disrepair until 2006 when the title was gained by the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County and preservation efforts began.

In 2009, The Mill was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois’ Hall of Fame. Thanks to two grants from the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program over the years, funding from The City of Lincoln and Logan County Tourism Bureau hotel tax fund, and numerous donations of money and in-kind labor, The Mill on 66 has now opened as a museum as of April 29, 2017.

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County would like to thank the City of Lincoln, all the organizations that supplied grants, all the donors, all the supporters and all the volunteers! Salt Creek ABATE volunteers have also done a lot of critical work at the Mill. For more information, visit saltcreekabate.com, Mill66.com or contact 217-671-3790.

[Geoff Ladd
Assistant Director
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway]