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Thressia Usherwood told the committee
that Picture This Photography Studio has offered to match funds for
a pictorial CD of the sesquicentennial. This CD will enable people
to purchase memories of Lincoln's 150th anniversary as a keepsake
for years to come. The CD will serve a purpose similar to a movie
that was taken at the 1953 celebration.
The chair of the queen contest, Pat
Geskey, said there are five contestants competing to be crowned
sesquicentennial queen. The tiara has been donated, and Jim Xamis
has donated the roses and cars. One savings bond in the amount of
$100 and two $50 bonds will be given away. A total of 1,435 tickets
have been sold for the contest, with another 600 expected to be
sold.
Paul Beaver reported that the
sesquicentennial book covering Lincoln's history over the past 50
years is now at the printers.
On Monday, Aug. 25, the Lincoln
Heritage Day "Abraham Lincoln & Lincoln, Illinois" program will be
presented at Lincoln College at 7 p.m. This event is free but
requires a ticket. As of today only 80 tickets are still available.
Tickets can be acquired by calling the tourism office at 732-8687.
Tuesday, Aug. 26, is Business and
Industry Day. There will be tours and open houses at local
businesses and industries. One thousand business passports will be
available for people to use during the tours and open houses.
Preparations are ready for the 1860s
baseball game. The ballgame will be played at the Lincoln Junior
High School's ball diamond at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. the
christening re-enactment and speeches will take place just outside
of the Lincoln Depot. Watermelons will fill the wagon outside the
entrance to the restaurant. Mayor Davis said that numerous
dignitaries from both political parties have been invited to
participate. The mayor encouraged people to come dressed in period
clothing for the event. A video of the christening will be made.
The Brothers of the Brush and Sisters
of the Swish preparations for Saturday, Aug. 30, are completed.
The Railsplitters' booth has been moved
to the Russell Stover store on Route 10 by Interstate 55. The booth
will serve as an information booth for the sesquicentennial and will
sell souvenirs. There is a need for volunteers to man the booth
during the festivities.
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Cindy McLaughlin has met with WICS
Channel 20 in Springfield and did a "Spotlight 20" feature plugging
the sesquicentennial. McLaughlin also indicated that the "Who Let
the Dogs Out" statues that local artists created for Dog Daze will
be auctioned off during the break between the bands American English
and Hairbanger's Ball on Friday, Aug. 29.
Bobbi Abbot told the committee that on
Education Day, Friday, Aug. 29, people who want to visit their old
schools can simply notify the school and go to their schools for a
tour.
Greg Pelc, the music chair, told the
committee that volunteers are needed to drive to St. Louis and pick
up members of the bands playing during the sesquicentennial. Anyone
with a valid driver's license can volunteer. Lincoln College has
lent the committee a 15-person van for the pickups.
There have been some changes to the
sesquicentennial schedule. The 33rd Infantry Band,
originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29, will be
playing Saturday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. at Postville Courthouse.
Brian Fox Ellis, a storyteller who had
been listed on the schedule for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29 and 30,
will be at the sesquicentennial on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28 and
29. During the day he will visit Lincoln schools to tell his
stories. He will also do presentations on Thursday evening at the
Postville Courthouse and on Friday evening at Scully Park.
The Illinois Brass Works, scheduled for
Sunday, Aug. 31, canceled due to scheduling
problems. The Illinois Brass Works has found a replacement. Phat Tuesday, a popular band from the Bloomington area,
will play in their place.
Back-to-back, the Lincoln Art and
Balloon Festival and the Lincoln Sesquicentennial have packed
together a wide array of entertainment and events to pique your
interests and tantalize your palates during these 10 days of August.
Music will fill the air, battle re-enactments will be fought,
christenings done, and ethnic foods will be available to quench any
appetite.
The
sesquicentennial committee has put in their time and made their
plans. It appears that they will even meet the budget that they set
for themselves. They have made the big party accessible to everyone.
Their goal was to put on a rousing party for all who will be
attending the city of Lincoln's 150th birthday, and from the looks
of things, they will be successful. So everyone get ready for a
good time.
[Don Todd]
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