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Sesquicentennial party
continues
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[SEPT. 19, 2003]
Lincoln's sesquicentennial
committee has continued working in an effort to finish the Sunday,
Aug. 30, rained-out closing activities. After some serious
discussion the Lincoln City Council approved their request to close
some downtown streets.
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The approval was not unanimous.
Alderman Glenn Shelton was not entirely at ease with a new awareness
that tavern owners had to agree by consensus to pay assessed fees
set by the sesquicentennial committee. The monies are being used to
help promote and finance the event. The assessed fees help with
stage, vans, security, porta-potties and other production costs,
explained Mayor Beth Davis, who heads the committee.
The tavern owners hope to recoup their
investment with increased sales during the event.
In addition, Shelton said, "I don't
want this to become another opportunity to have open drinking."
Pulaski Street will be blocked off from
Sangamon east to Chicago Street from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m.
Sunday on Sept. 27 and 28.
An additional area of Pulaski Street
will be blocked off from Chicago Street to Kickapoo Street beginning
at 3 p.m. The later blocking will permit retail customers in this
area to finish up business for the day.
The blocked areas in this section will
be the same as before, with a stage located in the intersection by
State Farm. Alcohol will again be permitted in the blocked area and
regulated by wristbands.
If rain should occur, there will be a
24-hour delay, keeping the same hours beginning Saturday through
Sunday, Sept 28 and 29.
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According to Mayor Beth Davis the event
gives local bands an opportunity to showcase their talent and
gives Lincoln another opportunity to have fun.
Several thank-you letters, all stating
appreciation for the sesquicentennial celebration, were read. Debbie
Ross wrote to say she was overwhelmed by the large crowd on Saturday
night at her performance when the evening turned so cool and rainy.
She said, "Lincoln will always be my home."
The Jeff Mayfield family complimented
the committee on the variety of events, from the old-time baseball
game their 2-year-old loved to the relaxing finale with the Illinois
Symphony. Jeff had family from Indiana that has done like work, and
they were impressed with what Lincoln had done -- so much so as to
stay days longer than planned in order to take more in.
Another
family said thank you for the celebration. They have been living
here three years and love the nice, small, homey town atmosphere.
They'd like to see more to do here and would support a bike path for
walking and riding.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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