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 As the day goes along on Saturday, visitors will
also be able to take in some sights that are not officially part of
the Festival, but will be going on nearby, within easy walking
distance of the downtown area. Ribbon cut
at the new Lincoln Welcome Garden
First on the list will be a ribbon cutting and opening of the new
Lincoln Welcome Garden. Located at the corner of Pekin and north
Kickapoo Streets, just one block north of the Logan County
Courthouse Square, the garden will pay homage to our Route 66
Heritage as well as our rich agricultural background. Items located
in the garden will speak to who we are as a community in a fun and
quirky Route 66 way.
The ribbon cut will commence at 10 a.m. Afterward folks will be
encouraged to walk about a bit and see what is in the garden now.
There may also be an opportunity to speak with the garden designers
about what the future plans for the Welcome Garden will be.
The garden is the first product of a new Lincoln Pride Initiative
that is being backed by the Logan County Tourism Bureau.
From 1926 to 1930, Route 66 came into the downtown area. The path it
followed ran along North Kickapoo at the north edge of town all the
way to Broadway Street in downtown Lincoln. At Broadway it turned
west and went to north Logan Street, then followed Logan/Fifth
Street to south Washington Street, past the Mill on Route 66, then
on out to what is now the Route 66/Lincoln Parkway loop around town.
From Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 is adorned from time to time
with colorful, fun attractions that invite visitors to stop, take
photos and create memories. The downtown Welcome Garden will be such
a location for visitors traveling Route 66 through the heart of the
city.
Depot Visitors Center to feature a sampling of the Railsplitter
Festival
With there being no Balloon Festival this year, the Logan County
Fair, and the National Railsplitting Festival are going to be the
two biggest draws for out of town visitors after the Pigs & Swigs
Festival this year.
On Saturday, the Logan County Tourism Bureau working with the Logan
County Railsplitting Association will give visitors a glimpse of the
fall event with hopes that some will return to town in September for
that event.
Tagged as “A taste of Railsplitter,” crafters typically found at the
Railplitter will be set up inside the Depot. Look for Nancy Robbins
who will be demonstrating the 1860’s style of making rugs on a loom.
Nancy Vannoy will offer demonstrations on twining and Judy Ballinger
will show guests how to spin wool into yarn. Dianne Skelton will be
on hand offering demonstrations on crocheting and David Boward will
talk about and demonstrate working with wood. All of these are
skills that were important to the daily lives of local residents in
the Abraham Lincoln era of the mid 1800’s.
One local musician who often performs at the Railsplitter has also
been invited to take part and has tentatively accepted.
The Taste of Railsplitter will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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At 11 a.m. Abraham Lincoln will be outside at the
depot visiting with folks who come by and handing out free slices of
watermelon. Mr. Lincoln will continue the serving as long as the
watermelon supply lasts. Also, look for him to perhaps visit some of
the attractions at the Pigs & Swigs Festival downtown.
The community is invited, as well as our out of town visitors, to
stop in at the Depot, visit with staff, take in the demonstrations,
and if it is really hot, use the cool temperatures of the 1910
historic structure to cool down a bit.
The Lincoln Depot is located at the north corner of Broadway and
Chicago Streets in Lincoln.
Neal Tire to host a car cruise in
At 2 p.m. on Saturday visitors are invited to attend the first-time
Neal Tire Car Cruise-in. Neal tire is located just across the street
from the Lincoln Depot on the south corner of Broadway and Chicago
Streets.
The event is open to the public, so anyone who has a car or truck
they are particularly proud of is welcome to come on down and show
it off to other car enthusiasts who will be in attendance.
The event is not affiliated with any car clubs, though club members
from throughout the area are invited.
Kenny Biehl is the manager at Neal Tire, and a car enthusiast. He’s
putting this event together with the hopes that the first-time
offering will bring in at least 30 cars from around the area.
One special feature for this show will include the large American
Flag flying high from the extended ladder of one of our local fire
departments.
Another interesting aspect of the show will be an opportunity to
view a vintage vehicle from a vantage not often seen – the
underside. A full service shop, Neal has car lifts inside their
building. On Saturday afternoon Biehl will make arrangements for a
couple of vehicles to be placed on the lifts and raised so that
visitors can take a peek at the undercarriages of the old cars.
Throughout the afternoon there will be door prizes given out at
random drawings. Prizes will include Neal Tire t-shirts, and Car
Wash buckets filled with supplies to keep that great car looking
great.
The first 50 participants will receive dash plaques and there will
be a people’s choice vote ongoing throughout the afternoon.
The event will wrap up at 5 p.m. with the winners of the people’s
choice announced near the end of the event.
There is no pre-registration required for show participants, and the
event is open to the public for viewing with free admission.
All of the sidebar events going on Saturday will complement the
activities at the Pigs & Swigs, adding even more diversity in the
offerings and giving families even greater opportunities to spend
some quality time together in the downtown Lincoln area.
Hope to see you all there!
[Nila Smith] |
