Railsplitter weekend kicks off with a ribbon cut
 

[September 23, 2024]    On Saturday, under cloudy skies and threats of rain that did not really pan out, the Annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln got underway with a ribbon cutting event. A large group gathered at 10 a.m. to participate in the cutting, with several witnesses standing about to help welcome the beginning of another great history laden weekend.

Those standing behind the ribbon included Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Alderpersons Kevin Bateman, Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Steve Parrott and David Sanders, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman, Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate, Lincoln Heritage Museum Director Ron Keller, Railsplitter Antique Auto Club chairman Rob Harmon, and Abraham Lincoln. Representing the local railsplitter organization was President Darlene Begolka, Diane Skelton, Bob Rankin, Heidi Mueller, Devin Vannoy, Mandy Cordray, and others including some of the next generation of railsplitter organizers. Also joining in was musician Chris Vallillo, and Logan County royalty Little Miss Olivia Harmson and Junior Miss Sophia Goodman. Assisting with the direction of the ribbon cut was Karen Castelein and Nila Smith.

The morning began with a greeting to all in attendance and a note that the festival has been going on in Lincoln for more than 50 years. It was noted that for a small town festival to live and thrive for that many years is a remarkable feat.

The first to speak was Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch who echoes the thoughts that the festival was a long-lived experience in Lincoln. He noted the dedication it has taken to keep the festival going for that amount of time. He also recognized the young people who were gathered in front of the ribbon and said that it was a testament to the future of the festival. He congratulated the organizers and wished them the best for many successful years to come.

Roate was asked to say a few words, noting that while tagged as a small town event, it is also a tourist event. She welcomed everyone to the festival and said that she was happy to see it as a part of our community.

Rob Harmon spoke representing the car club and also assured everyone that he was optimistic that there would be no rain spoiling the weekend.

Heidi Mueller spoke on behalf of the splitting activities and her father Rob Rankin are in charge of each year. She said that the weather could become an issue, but the goal is to get as many of the events in as possible and that she and the others helping with the events would be happy to see whatever happened happen.

Alderwoman Rohlfs also congratulated the group on so many successful years and wished them all the best for this weekend and years to come.

Darlene Begolka spoke on behalf of the organization thanking all those in attendance, all those who volunteered and calling for a great weekend to get underway.

Little Miss Olivia and Junior Miss Sophia were attending their first ribbon cutting as Logan County royalty. Begolka asked the two young ladies to do the honors of snipping the ribbon on the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival, and they were happy to oblige.

Truth be told, while the “weather man” had called for rain throughout the weekend, there was very little precipitation in Lincoln. A light shower on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday morning there was a misty shower. Temperatures were cool on Sunday in particular with brisk winds. Visitors were comfortable in their fall sweaters and sweatshirts most of the time, and those participating in the strenuous competitions did not get overly hot.

The cloudy skies really made it a very pleasant weekend that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy.

[Nila Smith]