Lincoln Bicentennial Jubilee
August 3 - September 6, 2009
August 3 - September 6, 2009
August 3: St. Meinrad Community Lincoln Heritage Day and Concert
The Spencer County town of St. Meinrad plays host to a full day of events. Come to the Community Center, located at 13150 E. CR 1950 N, and visit a Farmer’s Market, a primitive farm tool display, crocheting and quilting demonstrations, horse and wagon rides, yarn and corn husk doll-making demos, Lincoln Era exhibits and other vendors and booths designed to create a spirit of “old fashioned fellowship” the way the Lincolns and their contemporaries might have enjoyed. The fun moves to the beautiful Saint Meinrad Archabbey campus (200 Hill Drive) for an outdoor bluegrass concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. Parking is available all day at the Community Center and at the Archabbey after 3:30 p.m. This event is free to the public. Lincoln Heritage Day and Concert is sponsored by SMART (St. Meinrad Area Revitalization Team) and the Saint Meinrad Archabbey.
August 5: Lincoln Jubilee Opening Ceremony
The Lincoln Bicentennial Jubilee formally kicks off Wednesday at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial located on SR 162 in Lincoln City. The 6:30 p.m. event, free to the public, will feature music by the Celebration Singers and a variety of welcoming remarks and acknowledgments from Committee Chair, Kay Bertl and Memorial Director, Mike Capps. Also featured will be Cub Scout Pack 102 for a presentation of colors and Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Pat Koch as guest speaker. In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be held at nearby Heritage Hills High School.
August 6: Little Abe and Sarah Pageant
On Thursday evening, the Jubilee moves to AEP Honey Creek Farm located off New US 231 at 1745 E CR 500 N. Children ages 6-9 and 10-12 are invited to dress up as Abraham and his sister, Sarah to put a pioneer spin on a traditional pageant. Mary Todd Lincolns are welcome as well! Contestants can bring props onto the stage as they are judged for attire and stage presence. This event is free to the public, however, a $5 per car parking fee applies. For more information regarding this event, call Debbie Barrett at 812-649-2186.
August 7-9: Lincoln Country Sights and Sounds and Best of Bluegrass Bash
AEP Honey Creek Farm continues the jubilee with Lincoln Country Sights and Sounds. A series of vendors, displays, arts and crafts, quilt show and a military encampment will immerse spectators in Lincoln Lore. Food vendors will provide a wide variety of selections to choose from.
For the first time, Spencer County will serve as host for a competitive bluegrass contest on Friday, August 7. The Best of Bluegrass Bash competition kicks off at 7 p.m. as beginner banjo and mandolin players compete for prizes. Afterwards, bluegrass bands will compete for the top six spots in the finals scheduled for the following night. Saturday’s competition begins at 10 a.m., featuring individual banjo, mandolin and fiddler contests in four divisions; pee-wees under 10, beginners ages11-19 years old, adults ages 20-55 and seniors 56 and older before wrapping up with the bluegrass band finals. First, second and third place finishes will each receive a portion of the $3,000 prize money.
There is no entry fee, however, a $5 parking fee will be assessed per car per day. No coolers or alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the premises. Camping will be available and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating while enjoying the bluegrass music.
August 8: “Taste of Mary Todd Lincoln”
For those in the mood for sight-seeing and period flavor, Rockport provides a unique opportunity with a series of events collectively referred to as “Taste of Mary Todd Lincoln.” Beginning at 11:30 a.m.,The Rockport Inn, located at 130 S Third Street, will host a period luncheon. Dine in the historic building and move across the street to the Spencer County Courthouse to witness a period style fashion show at 1 p.m. featuring costuming of antebellum America. The taste continues directly afterwards with a bus home tour of select Spencer County residences. Admission for these three events is just $50. Due to limited tickets, reservations for the “Taste of Mary Todd Lincoln” are required. Call 812-649-2186 to reserve your spot.
August 9: Spiritual Camp Meeting and Other Activities
The Jubilee winds down on Sunday with a nondenominational Spiritual Camp meeting at AEP Honey Creek Farm at 10 a.m. Everyone, regardless of faith, is welcome to join in the community service, much in the way people did during the Lincoln era.The parking fee is waived on Sunday. Afterwards, the stage will be open for performers to entertain the crowd. The Sights and Sounds vendors and displays will remain until 4 p.m.
September 6: Evansville Philharmonic at Lincoln Amphitheatre
On Sunday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. the Evansville Philharmonic caps off the two-year celebration with a patriotic performance in Indiana’s recently restored covered outdoor stage, the Lincoln Amphitheatre, located within Lincoln State Park on SR 162. The evening will consist of several patriotic selections including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Aaron Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait” featuring 8th District US Congressman Brad Ellsworth as the Narrator and Dean Dorrell as President Lincoln. WFIE 14’s Jeff Lyons will emcee the event. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Philharmonic box office at 812-425-5050.
______________________________________________________________
For more information about the Lincoln Bicentennial Jubilee, please call committee chair Judy Butcher at 812-453-7505 or the Spencer County Visitors Bureau at 1-877-444-9252
"We're creating a magical place that families can experience year-round," said Koch. "This will be the largest Christmas store of its kind in the region, similar to attractions found in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee or Frankenmuth, Michigan. For now, it won't be as big as those attractions, but we have plans to expand in the future. We have lots of tourists during the summer. Our goal is to attract people from all over the world to Santa Claus, Indiana, no matter the season." The Santa Claus Christmas Store will occupy the combined spaces of 3 former tenants in the shopping center, including World Class Travel which continues to operate out of the home of Julie Korn. Korn has also been hired as the manager of the new Christmas Store. Other plans include a huge Santa in lights peaking over the roof of Kringle Place and a giant LED Christmas tree in the parking lot. HO HO HOldings, LLC also owns and operates Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort and Kringle Place Shopping Center.
Yesterday was a hot one in Spencer County! Crystal, our office manager, and Amanda, our summer intern, accompanied a videographer around the county to capture footage of our beautiful area. On the left are some shots of the beach and picnic area at Lincoln State Park where the girls spent a few hours with the videographer. Don't let the lighting fool you, although it was cloudy the humidity made for a smotheringly hot day at the park! In the center picture you can see lots of sweaty campers taking advantage of the cool lake!
