Mayor announces festival for Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday
Mayor Chris Beutler announced Thursday that the city is expanding its annual Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration to four days in 2009 to mark President Lincoln’s 200th birthday.
Highlights include a concert by the Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band on Feb. 12; a new Civil War musical Feb. 13; the traditional Family Day event Feb.14; and a lecture by author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin Feb. 15.
“As the largest city in the world to be named for this beloved leader, Lincoln, Nebraska, is proud to present this once-in-a-lifetime festival,” Beutler said. “I urge the entire community to support this celebration.”
This will be the city’s ninth annual Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration.
Event Chair Wayne Boles said the event will be funded through grants and donations, and a small admission fee will likely be charged for the events Feb. 12-13. Events Feb. 14-15 will be free.
Local advertising agency Bailey Lauerman has donated the services of its designers to create the celebration logo with the theme, “10 score.”
Boles said the volunteer committee began planning the 2009 event in 2007.
“Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most compelling figures in history, and his 200th birthday is generating renewed worldwide interest in this amazing man and his times,” Boles said. “We plan to market this outstanding festival to the entire region to draw visitors to our community.”
Boles said the committee hopes other community organizations will plan events or exhibits to complement the four main events.
Information on the celebration will be posted on the city Web site, lincoln.ne.gov, beginning in September. Those wanting to support the event can contact Boles at 434-5973 or Diane Gonzolas in the mayor’s office at 441-7831.
Highlights include a concert by the Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band on Feb. 12; a new Civil War musical Feb. 13; the traditional Family Day event Feb.14; and a lecture by author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin Feb. 15.
“As the largest city in the world to be named for this beloved leader, Lincoln, Nebraska, is proud to present this once-in-a-lifetime festival,” Beutler said. “I urge the entire community to support this celebration.”
This will be the city’s ninth annual Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration.
Event Chair Wayne Boles said the event will be funded through grants and donations, and a small admission fee will likely be charged for the events Feb. 12-13. Events Feb. 14-15 will be free.
Local advertising agency Bailey Lauerman has donated the services of its designers to create the celebration logo with the theme, “10 score.”
Boles said the volunteer committee began planning the 2009 event in 2007.
“Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most compelling figures in history, and his 200th birthday is generating renewed worldwide interest in this amazing man and his times,” Boles said. “We plan to market this outstanding festival to the entire region to draw visitors to our community.”
Boles said the committee hopes other community organizations will plan events or exhibits to complement the four main events.
Information on the celebration will be posted on the city Web site, lincoln.ne.gov, beginning in September. Those wanting to support the event can contact Boles at 434-5973 or Diane Gonzolas in the mayor’s office at 441-7831.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.