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 The longest running festival in Logan County is
celebrating 45 years this year. The festival was developed to
commemorate Abraham Lincoln's early days when he split logs into
fence rails to keep animals in their respective farms. This was done
by holding a railsplitting competition that has evolved into a
national competition.
The festival also hosts authentic Pioneer Village, crafters,
tomahawk throwing, antique tractors, fun and educational kid’s
activities, a Civil War ball on Friday night at the American Legion
and the national rail split finale on Sunday.
Bluegrass, Gospel, and Country music sensation, Emi Sunshine, who is
just 10 years old, will be the headline performer Saturday September
19th at 7 p.m.
Emi Sunshine is described on the Railsplitting.com website as a
“10-year-old East Tennessee prodigy who has captured the nation’s
attention as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
 “Steeped in Appalachian music, she is a true vocal stylist, one who
instinctively knows how to interpret the nuances of a song with her
impressive range, even though she has yet to gain the life
experience and empathy seemingly necessary to fully comprehend the
words she sings”.
Other performers throughout the weekend include local bluegrass
favorite Dan Tackett, the Prairie Aires, Justin Knollenberg and
Cactus Ranch. For tickets and complete lineup, visit
railsplitting.com. The tradition of great bluegrass music goes back
a long way at the festival, including decades ago, when a very young
Alison Krauss, now a bluegrass legend, performed for the crowd.
This year’s Civil War ball on Friday evening September 18th, will be
held for the first time at the American Legion located near the
fairgrounds next to the World’s Largest Covered Wagon. This will be
followed by Cosmic Bowling at Logan Lanes next door from 10 p.m. to
Midnight – a brand new event for the festival. Attendees can dress
in period outfits or come as they are for this fun evening of
dancing. Anyone can learn the simple dance steps and before the
night is over, everyone will be dancing and having lots of fun.
Festival co-founder Daris Knauer is working on displays of the
history of the festival over the years, and he is expecting his
co-founder Leroy Buckheit to travel across country for the event as
well.
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Knauer is encouraging local residents to contact him at (217) 732-7247 with
photos and memories they would like to share for the festival. One of the most
famous festival visitors was President Gerald Ford, who made a campaign stop in
1976, and split a rail while he was here.
The roots of the Railsplitting Festival began in 1970 at Jerry's Drive-In on
Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. Daris Knauer met with the co-chairman of tourism at
the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, LeRoy Buckheit.
LeRoy was "flipping burgers" in his restaurant as they talked about an event,
because there was a busload of people in the restaurant. Daris had an idea about
holding an event that was related to Abraham Lincoln’s days in Logan County.
LeRoy mentioned that they should name the event the "Railsplitter" because Abe
Lincoln was known for splitting rails. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored the
first and second Railsplitting events.
During the first Railsplitter event, a man from Petersburg, named Johnny Jones
split rails for the state of Illinois. He later became a judge at the inaugural
event. Soon after, Johnny established "rail rules" for the contest/competition.
These rules have evolved over the years, but have stayed generally the same.
Paul Harvey, the famous radio personality, was heard to mention that the first
Lincoln Railsplitting Festival was held in Lincoln.
The festival committee would like to thank all our sponsors over the years for
keeping the tradition going for this amazing family-fun event. For complete
details, visit the brand new Raislplitting.com website designed by Tracy Welch.
For sponsorship and volunteer information, call (217) 732-9488.
[Tracy Welch]
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