2018 Area Festivals

Page 66 2018 Area Fall Festivals LINCOLN DAILY NEWS SEPT. 12, 2018 Bureau, and Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Scenic Byway were also on hand. The morning began with Smith as acting emcee welcoming everyone to the opening ceremonies for the 48th Railsplitting Festival. She asked that everyone offer a big round of applause to the Festival Committee for 48 years of annual events. Smith mentioned that the longevity of the festival was due in part to multiple generations within the festival committee. Begolka is a second generation member. Bob Rankin is also a second generation member and his daughter Heidi Mueller is now a third generation member. Smith went on to acknowledge the local royalty, Alderman Welch and others. Tourism Director Gleason was introduced and she thanked all the dedicated volunteers who work so hard to put on the festival each year. She said the annual festival is an asset to Logan County tourism and an important part of our community. Smith noted that Postville Courthouse is one of the few places where Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 meet. The Courthouse is recognized as a Route 66 attraction and of course, Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the courthouse. She said it was only fitting that the group should hear from a representative of Route 66, and that would be Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Scenic Byways. Ladd began by saying that the only section of any state throughout the Route 66 trail that also offers a glimpse at Abraham Lincoln is right here in central Illinois. He said that he had “taken his cue” of paring Lincoln and Route 66 together from the late Shirley Bartlemay, who for many years was a champion for the Postville Courthouse. Ladd also commented on the longevity of the festival noting that the average life span of a festival is five years, so to see a festival continue on for 48 years was a remarkable feat. CONTINUE ...