1860 Period Ball in Springfield Will Help Begin Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Events

Civil War Band and Costumed Dancers to Highlight Feb. 9 Event

[January 28, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has announced that one of the first of the state's many planned activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth will be Feb. 9, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Illinois Executive Mansion. Marilyn Kushak, chair of the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, has expressed the commission's interest in collaborative efforts by endorsing the 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment's 1860 Period Ball. The event is complete with a Civil War band and authentic dances and costumes.

The 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment and Band, a group that performs in authentic uniforms on period instruments, will provide the evening's music. Re-enactors Max and Donna Daniels of Wheaton will portray President and Mrs. Lincoln.

Participants are asked, but not required, to wear 1860s attire. Dance instructions will be provided to participants, and period refreshments will be served.

Tickets for the ball are $35 per person or $60 per couple and must be reserved by calling 217-652-1696 or visiting www.10thillinoisvolcavalry.com. Proceeds from the event will help the 10th Illinois Band continue to provide music appreciation and living history education to communities throughout Illinois.

For a complete list of Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial events in Illinois, visit www.lincoln200.net. Lincoln's 200th birthday will occur Feb. 12, 2009.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich established the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to promote deeper knowledge, understanding and engagement in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln through conferences, publications, preservation of Lincoln sites and observances commemorating his 200th birthday. The commission operates with support from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and is working with local, state and national organizations to coordinate events leading up to the 2009 observance.

[Text from Illinois Historic Preservation Agency news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]