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Archive files on annual festivals

Balloon fest takes a lot of planning

[AUG. 22, 2002]  A lot of planning that most people never see goes into the balloon festival, says chairman Vern Turner, but because the people in charge of the various events all do their part, the festival goes smoothly.

This is the third year Turner is serving as chairman of the festival and the second year he’s been doing it by himself. He expects 46 balloons to come to the fairgrounds this weekend from all over the United States, some from as far away as Florida and New Mexico.

Three specialty balloons are coming to the 14th annual event: Mr. Potato Head, sponsored by Lincoln city government; Sushi, sponsored by Maple Ridge Care Centre; and Humpty Dumpty, sponsored by Britsch Mobile Home Park.

"We have to get the balloons here, find volunteers to be crews, get permission to land on farmers’ property and get the fairgrounds ready," Turner said. "We need at least a hundred volunteers for balloon crews, taking tickets and directing traffic."

Connie Dehner and Pam White, special events coordinators, get the vendors and the balloon participants lined up and also take care of finding volunteers to crew for the balloon pilots, Turner said.

 

The crews chase a balloon until it comes down, then help pack it up again and get it back to the fairgrounds. "Their help is a must," Turner said.

It’s also necessary to get the consent of farmers and landowners for balloons to land on their property, and for that Turner depends on Jim Phelan. Phelan gets permission ahead of time for balloons to land in designated places, such as grassy areas or pastures.

The catch is, Phelan can’t tell ahead of time exactly where the balloons will come down because balloons are going to go where the wind takes them, so he has to work out arrangements with landowners in all directions.

Bob Corey, the balloonmeister, is another person whose help is crucial to the success of the festival. Corey, a native of Kentucky, has the final say in whether balloons will fly or not.

Hot-air balloons are fragile and can’t fly if the winds are too strong, which means exceeding 10 miles per hour. They also don’t fly if there is any danger of stormy weather, especially lightning.

Corey meets with balloonists every morning, checks the wind direction and determines where the balloons will be launched. He’s been "directing traffic" at the balloon festival since the early ’90s.

Balloons launch early in the morning or in the evening, Turner says, because at those times there is the least wind. This year, balloon launches are scheduled for Friday evening from 5 to 6 p.m., Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m., Saturday evening at 6 p.m. and Sunday morning at 6:45 a.m.

Turner also finds working with Tim Merriman of New Holland, who runs Big "M"Amusements, a real pleasure.

"He’s a real nice person to work with; he goes out of his way to help," Turner said. "His father started that amusement business."

A new feature last year was the fireworks on Saturday night, which this year will be handled by Steve Vinyard. This is an especially welcome addition if balloons cannot launch or glow because of bad weather, which happened last year.

 

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"If we hadn’t had the fireworks, we would have had a lot of people disappointed," Turner said.

The corporate chalets, coordinated by Turner’s wife Norma, are also featured for the second year. This year three groups will set up the large, decorated tents at the north end of the fairgrounds: the Lincoln/Logan County Economic Development Council, Logan County Bank and CILCO. Sponsors rent the tents and invite employees or guests to see the festival from the tents.

The EDC is especially encouraging people from out of town to be guests at their corporate chalet as a promotion for the city, Norma Turner said. They hope to encourage people who are interested in bringing business to Lincoln to visit the balloon fest.

Others whose help makes the whole thing go smoothly are Peg Hufeld, fair office manager; Bob Thomas, fairgrounds superintendent, Roger Bay, concessions; F & G Lighting and Sound; Donna Spiker at Holiday Inn Express; Becky Werth, tickets; Todd Lowman, corporate chalets; Jim Newsome and Terry Bell, announcers; Jim and Nancy Ireland, local pilots and advisers; Bob and Beth Green, local pilots and competition coordinators; Lisa Funk, volunteer coordinator; and many more.

One area Turner hopes to see improve this year is the traffic flow. "People come from all over the state to our balloon festival, from as far as Chicago, Joliet and Dwight on the north and St. Louis on the south," he said. "Last year we had a little trouble getting people used to the new traffic routes, but this year we are hoping to get it straightened out. When it works right it is very helpful."

 

A one-way traffic route will go into effect at the Logan County fairgrounds this weekend. Traffic will flow clockwise around the fairgrounds.  [Click here for map]

People wanting to enter the grounds from Woodlawn Street may turn south on Jefferson Street, which will be one-way south, then turn right on Short 11th, which will be one-way west. They can enter either at the south gate or turn north on Postville Drive, which will be one-way north from Short 11th, and enter at the west or the northwest gates.

Traffic coming from the south on Lincoln Parkway (Old Route 66) can turn at Postville Drive and enter at the west or northwest gates. Traffic coming from the north on Lincoln Parkway can enter at Postville Drive and go to the northwest gate. Both police officers and volunteers will be directing traffic.

A fee of $2 will be charged at the gate. Parking is free.

"We are very fortunate that so many chairmen of the different divisions do such excellent jobs," Turner said. "They are really dedicated to what they do, and that really helps out."

[Joan Crabb]

Soap Box Downhillers ready to roll again

[AUG. 22, 2002]  Four classes of cars will run in the Soap Box Downhiller Saturday morning on South Kickapoo Street, according to Bob Steele, chairman of the event. The Downhillers will begin their run at 9 a.m. near Contractor’s Ready Mix, four blocks south of the courthouse.

Steele said he expects to have at least 15 cars and 20 drivers this year, and he thinks the event will last until early afternoon. Participants will also meet on Friday at 6 p.m. for practice runs.

Ramps will be set out by the cement plant, and racers will run about 700 feet to the finish line, where there will be a barrier of straw bales in case someone’s brakes go out. Steele says people will be lined up in lawn chairs on both sides of the street to watch the races.

Races will be in two age categories and four classes, he said. Age categories are 7 to 9 and 10 to 15.

Classes of cars include the stock size, which can be bought as a kit, takes four to six hours to put together and weighs 200 pounds, and the super stock, which is slightly bigger, weighs 230 pounds and can still be put together in four to six hours. Both have one-piece fiberglass bodies.

Another class is the master’s car, which weighs 250 pounds and can take as much as 40 to 60 hours to assemble. This is a sleek car with a shell that comes in two or three pieces, Steele says. When the driver is in the car, all that can be seen are his eyes and the top of his helmet. It is necessary to have some knowledge of working with fiberglass to put this one together, he says.

 

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The fourth category, the custom car, is designed and built by its owner according to certain specifications. It cannot be more than 7 feet long, 3 feet wide or 36 inches tall. Steele used plywood and drew up his own plan for his custom car, named the Green Hornet. This year his great-granddaughter Ashlyn will race the Hornet.

Not every car will be driven by its owner, and the drivers who win, not the owners of the car, will receive the winners’ trophies, according to Steele.

Steele has always been fascinated by soap box cars. In grade school he built two of them from crates and scrap lumber, but he didn’t have anyplace to race them. After seeing soap box races in nearby Mount Pulaski, he decided that would be a good event to have in Lincoln.

The Downhiller event is sponsored by the Kiwanis club. Along with Steele, Wayne Lolling, Bill Martinie, Tom Kissel and Duane Petty are helping with the event.

[Joan Crabb]

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Art fair to bring 80 artists,
a variety of media

[AUG. 22, 2002]  Eighty artists from seven Midwest states will bring their work to Lincoln’s 29th annual art fair Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25, at Latham Park.

On display and for sale will be paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media, wood carvings and wood turnings, pottery, metalwork, jewelry, photography, original prints, batik, sculpture, stained glass, painted furniture, pencil drawings, and ink paintings.

Artists will come from Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee. Sixty-eight are returning after exhibiting here in other years, and 12 are new to the Lincoln fair. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

All artists are juried before being allowed to exhibit for the first time, a way to be sure to get high-quality artists. Connie Dehner, event coordinator, said this year almost 40 artists asked to be juried. Artists who have attended in the past two years may return without being juried, but all others must be accepted by a panel of artists and art teachers.

Another way to assure quality is to offer prizes and purchases, Dehner said, and the art fair does both. The prize for best of show, $350, has been donated by local artist Lee Dowling. Dowling displays her work primarily in Naples, Fla.

 

Three prizes will be given in each of two categories: two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. First prize in each category is $300, second is $200, and third is $100.

The Janet Harris Memorial award of $100 will go to the painter displaying the most originality in contemporary expression. This award is presented by the Thomas Harris family of Lincoln in memory of their daughter, who was an art student at the University of Illinois and a talented painter

The fair committee makes sure that art will be purchased by seeking sponsors who will commit to spending more than $100 for art from the fair. Those who sponsor balloons at the balloon fest also get "art bucks" that they can spend at the fair. All sponsors may choose any artwork they wish to purchase.

The sponsors and the prize money guarantee that more than $15,000 will be spent or awarded for artwork during the fair weekend.

"The artists know they have people here serious about buying art," Dehner said.

Sponsors are recognized in the fair program book, available at the art fair committee’s tent on the west side of the park. The program book includes a map to locate the various artists.

 

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There are several new additions to the fair this year. The program book will feature a picture on the front designed by the artist who won best of show last year, Alice Jaeger-Ashland, a watercolor artist.

Also, for the first time a poster commemorating the fair will be available. Designed by Lincoln artist Sue Ann Reed, the original oil was digitized by Adam May of Amp Studios for the poster. Each poster has been signed by the artist and is for sale for $25 at the chamber of commerce booth or at the fair committee’s booth.

Another new addition is a classical guitarist, Steven Suvada, currently on the faculty at Elmhurst College, Harper College and Loyola University. Suvada will play in the bandstand during the art fair.

Also during the fair, the Woman’s Club will serve food at their clubhouse, 230 N. McLean, across from Latham Park. They will be serving from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The Junior Woman’s Club will have a food concession booth in the park.

In case of extreme weather, the fair has an emergency backup site, the Lincoln Recreation Center on Primm Road, Dehner said.

 

Special entertainment will be provided for children again this year at Adventure Zone, located on the grassy area at the corner of Kickapoo and Pekin streets, across from Latham Park.

Main Street Lincoln will once again put up its cardboard maze, which this year will have a patriotic theme. Youngsters up to 10 may go through the maze.

The YMCA will sponsor a children’s coloring contest as well as a tent where children can go in and make crafts and buy artwork. Items costing no more than $10, donated by the artists exhibiting at the fair, will be available for the youngsters to buy.

Burger King will bring its Whopper Hopper for youngsters to work off their excess energy. Snow cones, face painting, balloon animals and games will make the Adventure Zone a fun place for kids.

Children will buy tickets for $1 each, or 6 for $5, to purchase artwork and pay for activities in the Adventure Zone.

The Lincoln Public Library will have a reading corner for children at the Adventure Zone. The library will also have its annual used book sale in the Carnegie building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

[Joan Crabb]

Food vendors sought for sesquicentennial fund-raiser

[AUG. 16, 2002]  Vendors are invited to provide food service for a Sept. 21 street festival that will raise funds for the Lincoln sesquicentennial celebration. Hours are from 5 p.m. to midnight. There is no rain date.

A $50 space rental fee will be charged.

Please indicate utilities required and respond no later than Aug. 28. Interested parties should submit a proposal to Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau, Attn: Thressia, 303 S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln, IL 62656-1534.

Sites to See

‘Walking on the Path of Abraham Lincoln’

A walking tour of historic Lincoln, Ill.

Note: The following material is from a brochure produced as a high school project by J.R. Glenn and Angie Couch for Main Street Lincoln. The Main Street Lincoln office and local tourist information center is on the second floor of Union Planter’s Bank at 303 S. Kickapoo.


[Click here for larger map]

1. Town christening site

Broadway and Chicago streets

In August 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln took place near this spot. Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town was named, was in attendance. When asked on the day of the land sale to officially "christen the town," Lincoln obliged. Lifting the cover off a pile of watermelons stacked on the ground by a local farmer, Lincoln picked up a melon and conducted a brief ceremony using its juice. Lincoln, Ill., is the only town named for Lincoln before he became president.

2. Lincoln railroad depot

101 N. Chicago St.

Abraham Lincoln frequented this city by train after its founding. As president-elect, Lincoln came hereon Nov. 21, 1860. He stopped near this spot to make a few remarks from the rear of his train. This was his last speech in Logan County and the last time Lincoln would visit his namesake city. His funeral train stopped here on May 3, 1865. The current depot was built several decades later, in 1911.

3. State Bank of Lincoln

111 N. Sangamon St.

Abraham Lincoln met sculptor Leonard Volk for the first time on the boardwalk in front of the Lincoln House Hotel. Volk asked Lincoln to pose for a bust and life mask of his face and hands. Signed copies of the life masks by Volk, as well as original artwork by Lloyd Ostendorf of Lincoln in Logan County, are on display in this bank building’s lobby.

4. Site of the Lincoln House Hotel

501 Broadway St.

The Lincoln House, one of the grandest hotels between St. Louis and Chicago, stood on this spot from 1854 to 1870. All the political luminaries of the day, including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, David Davis and Richard Oglesby, crossed its threshold at one time or another The Lincoln House was a two-story frame structure that fronted the railroad tracks and featured a large veranda.

5. Robert Latham home site

400 N. Kickapoo St.

Robert B. Latham joined John D. Gillett and Virgil Hickox in founding the town of Lincoln in 1853. Abraham Lincoln, other lawyers and judges were often guests at his house.

6. Logan County Courthouse

When Lincoln became the county seat in 1853, a courthouse was built on this spot. A second courthouse was built in 1858 and remained in use until the early 20th century, when it was replaced with the current building. Abraham Lincoln practiced law and attended political functions in the first two courthouses built on the square. A statue of Lincoln stands in this courthouse. A Civil War monument and cannon sit on the north side of the courthouse grounds.

7. Lincoln lot site

523 Pulaski St.

A plaque located on the right-hand side of this store identifies the location as a lot Lincoln once owned. James Primm, in need of money, approached former Illinois Gov. Joel Matteson for a $400 advance. Matteson directed him to have Lincoln sign a note as Primm's guarantor. Lincoln co-signed the note. Later Primm defaulted and Lincoln had to pay the note. Eventually Primm deeded Lincoln this property in recompense.

 

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8. Rustic Inn

412 Pulaski St.

In 1876 members of a counterfeiting gang met here to hatch a plot to steal Lincoln's corpse from its burial vault in Springfield. The gang had planned to hide Lincoln's body in the Indiana sand dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan and negotiate with the governor of Illinois for $200,000 in cash and the release of Ben Boyd. The bartender at the Rustic Inn overheard the plot and reported it to the authorities. The Secret Service later apprehended the gang members. Robert Todd Lincoln had his father's coffin encased in several tons of cement to prevent future attempts to steal the body.

Other Lincoln sites in Lincoln

9. Stephen A. Douglas speech site

Comer of Fourth and Logan streets

Stephen Douglas visited this city during the famous 1858 Illinois senatorial campaign. Douglas paraded with all his supporters through the decorated streets to the tent that was pitched on this site. Lincoln, who was also in town, listened to his opponent from the back of the crowd. In the end, a majority of Logan County voters favored Lincoln, but Douglas won the 1858 election.

10. Postville Courthouse

914 Fifth St.

This state historic site is a replica of an 1840 courthouse where Lincoln argued, won and lost cases while he traveled the 8th Judicial Circuit.

11. Site of Deskins Tavern

915 Fifth St.

Lincoln often stayed at Deskins Tavern when he traveled to Postville. A well where he quenched his thirst is also at this site.

12. Postville Park

1300 Fifth St.

Abraham Lincoln was well-known for his athletic abilities, and he frequently joined in games of "town ball" at this village park.

13. Lincoln College and Museum

300 Keokuk St.

A nationally registered landmark, Lincoln College was founded and named for President Lincoln on Feb. 12, 1865. The museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia on the life of Abraham Lincoln.

[See "LC Museum named one of 10 best Lincoln-related sites in Illinois"]

 

Other sites of interest in downtown Lincoln 

Lincoln Public Library (a Carnegie building)

725 Pekin St.

Logan County Genealogical
& Historical Society

114 N. Chicago St.

Lincoln City Hall

700 Broadway St.

U.S. Post Office

102 S. McLean St.

Courthouse Square Historic District

including historic sites, restaurants and shops


[Click here for larger map]

Logan County historical landmarks

Atlanta

J. H. Hawes wooden country elevator. Open Sunday afternoons June through August. Free.

Atlanta Public Library and Museum. On National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1908. Comer of Race and Arch. Phone (217) 648-2112. Free.

Chestnut

Monument proclaims the geographic center of the state of Illinois. Town was laid out in 1872.

Elkhart

Elkhart Cemetery. Richard J. Oglesby, who was elected governor of Illinois in 1864, 1872 and 1884, is buried here; also John Dean Gillett, known as the "Cattle King of the World," and Capt. Adam Bogardus, wing shot champion of the world. For tours of the cemetery and John Dean Gillett Chapel, please phone (217) 947-2238.

Emden

Bethel Church. Built in 1854. Three miles from Route 136 between Emden and Atlanta on County Road 20.

Lincoln

Site of Deskins Tavern. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Signage. Free.

Site of well Abraham Lincoln drank from. Across the street from Postville Courthouse, 915 Fifth St. Free.

Site of town christening by Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 27, 1853. Lincoln was the first community in the United States to be named for Abraham Lincoln before he became famous. Also, Lincoln's funeral train stopped here on May 3,1865. Located at the south side of the Lincoln Depot, Broadway and Chicago streets. Official Looking for Lincoln signage. Free.

Logan County Courthouse. Contains second-largest courtroom in Illinois. Built in 1905. Located on the courthouse square, downtown Lincoln. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday until noon. Phone (217) 732-6400. Free.

Lincoln College Museum. Over 3,000 historic items. Lincoln College was founded and named for President Lincoln on Feb. 12, 1865. Keokuk and Ottawa streets. Summer hours: 9 to 4 Monday through Friday; 1 to 4 Saturday and Sunday; closed May 28 and July 4. Free.

Heritage In Flight Museum. Museum is filled with memorabilia from all U.S. military conflicts back to World War I. Located at the Logan County Airport. Phone ahead (217) 732-3333 to confirm hours. Free but donations accepted.

Lincoln Public Library. Original Carnegie library built in 1902. Tiffany-style glass inner dome. 725 Pekin St. Open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 to 6; Saturday, 9 to 3. Phone (217) 732-8878. Free.

Postville Courthouse State Historic Site. Guided tours. 914 Fifth St. Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Ph. (217) 732-8930 for additional information. Free but donations accepted.

Middletown

Stagecoach Inn. The inn was on the old stage route from Springfield to Peoria. Built mid-1800s. Village is also famous for its aeronautical history. Free.

Mount Pulaski

Mount Pulaski Courthouse. This building is one of only two original 8th Judicial Circuit courthouses in Illinois. On National Register of Historic Places. Was Logan County Courthouse from 1847 to 1855. Guided tours. Open 12 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday. Phone (217) 732-8930. Free.

[Link to historical information on communities in Logan County]

Heritage In Flight Museum open on weekends

A little-known historical site full of large and small treasures sits on the outskirts of town on the Logan County Airport property. The Heritage In Flight Museum building itself is a part of history. It is a remnant of Camp Ellis, located west of Havana, which was the largest military training and prisoner-of-war camp in the United States during World War II. After the war the camp was closed and the buildings were sold. Logan County Airport is fortunate to have one of the few remaining structures from Camp Ellis.

A little-known historical site full of large and small treasures sits on the outskirts of town on the Logan County Airport property. The Heritage In Flight Museum building itself is a part of history. It is a remnant of Camp Ellis, located west of Havana, which was the largest military training and prisoner-of-war camp in the United States during World War II. After the war the camp was closed and the buildings were sold. Logan County Airport is fortunate to have one of the few remaining structures from Camp Ellis.

Several historic items are found outside at the airport, including the rotating beacon, the green-and-white light that identifies the airport location to pilots flying at night. Before being moved to Logan County Airport, it was part of the lighted airway system that the airmail pilots in the 1920s used to navigate at night. The one that now resides here was originally located between Lincoln and Atlanta and provided a bright signal for Charles Lindbergh when he flew the airmail route between St. Louis and Chicago.

While outside you can also view a number of aircraft that are on display from various time periods.

Moving to the inside, you find that the Heritage in Flight Museum is filled with items of aviation history from the military and civilian branches of flying and from the earliest days of open-cockpit biplanes to the latest jets. Veterans who reside in Logan County have donated much of what the museum has. Families from the community have donated items that belonged to our war heroes, revealing special sentiments, symbolism and forgotten practices that held a community together in war times. Other items offer a look at early technology such as the airplane and ship radios. Of the thousands of items in the museum, each can be said to teach us something about our past. Visitors can relive history through the numerous displays, mostly grouped in wartime periods, and gain a strong sense of patriotism while studying military displays throughout the building.

 

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A guided tour is recommended to get the most from these displays. The volunteers are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter and will bring to light little-known nuances that make the displays fascinating.

The museum is always interested in adding items of aviation history. Its greatest need, however, is for more volunteers to help in the guardianship of this important gateway to Lincoln and Logan County.

The museum requires lots of care and maintenance. Members are always looking for interested people of all ages to help care for it, share their interests and preserve a bit of aviation history.

Heritage In Flight Museum is operated by an all-volunteer, non-profit organization: Heritage-In-Flight, Inc. You are invited to come meet the members and sit in on their meetings anytime. Meetings take place at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month in the terminal meeting room.

The museum is a great resource to educate our youth about our aeronautical and military past and shares the wealth of military traditions from a community and national perspective. Schools, youth groups and families are welcome.

Heritage in Flight Museum

1351 Airport Road, Lincoln

Open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: (217) 732-3333

Call the airport and leave a message to request a guided tour, schedule a time during the week or ask for more information.

[LDN]

You can read more about HIF from the archives of LDN. Go to: http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2001/Feb/15/comunity/business.shtml#Logan County is host to a unique museum rich in special military stories and treasures

Entertainment

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Blue Dog Inn
111 S. Sangamon
Lincoln
735-1743
 Monday 11-2
Tuesday-Thursday 11-10
Friday & Saturday 11-11

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2815 Woodlawn Road
Lincoln
735-1011

 

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