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RSSDowntown festival offers a journey back to Lincoln's Decatur
Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff
Noted Abraham Lincoln sculptor John McClarey has almost got his bronze sillouettes ready for the Shadows of Lincoln Festival, including this piece that depicts Lincoln being carried into the Republican State Convention in Decatur.
Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff
A single figure of Abraham Lincoln's cousin John Hanks depicts Hanks carrying in a couple rails that he and the president created together.
DECATUR - Local sculptor and former history teacher John McClarey is doing more than creating bronze sculptures of Abraham Lincoln for the Shadows of Lincoln festival. He's continuing to teach through his art about Lincoln's legacy, a legacy McClarey believes still is relevant today.
"He's timely," McClarey said of Lincoln. "He belongs to the ages. He's a good role model of how the political system should work together in today's society.
"He's relevant because we're still trying to make society better."
Lincoln's time in Decatur during the 1830s to 1860s is being acknowledged with the Shadows of Lincoln festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in downtown Decatur.
The festival, which emerged as part of Lincoln's bicentennial in 2009, features Lincoln re-enactments, storytellers, art demonstrations and exhibits, horse-drawn carriage rides, prairie-style food and a merchant penny sale. Also, a farmer's market will open at 8 a.m. in Central Park.
"We're trying to bring history to Decatur in an entertaining way," said Beth Stringer, chairwoman of the festival's steering committee.
She said local media have done well in educating the public about Lincoln's ties to Decatur, "but reading about it and actually experiencing it are two different things. This will be more of an impact."
Guided walking tours will be available at the festival, beginning at the Transfer House in Central Park. The tour shows the role Decatur played in Abraham Lincoln's political career.
The three pivotal stops along the tour include where Lincoln made his first stump speech at Main and Merchant streets; Lincoln's time practicing law at the former log cabin courthouse at Main and Main streets; and Central Park, where Lincoln was nominated for president by close friend Richard Oglesby, a three-time Illinois governor, during the 1860 Illinois Republican Convention.
"There's a much larger story to be told of Lincoln," said Kim Bauer, Lincoln heritage director for the city of Decatur. "Of course, it's my job to want people to know about Lincoln, (but) it's one of those things it's great to reinforce this great legacy of Lincoln's through this festival. It's an ongoing adventure."
Daylyn Wells, executive director of City Centre Decatur, said her organization is in charge of the festival's food vendors and merchants.
The prairie-style cooking will include such food items as cornbread, ham and beans, beef stew and bread pudding, Wells said. "It's pretty much what you would find on the dinner table of the 1830s and 1860s, the time Lincoln was here," she said.
About nine downtown stores are participating in the merchant penny sale, which gives customers a discount on following purchases.
By purchasing $25 at a participating downtown store, the customer will receive "a penny coupon" they can use for $5 off at another participating store, Wells explained. The promotion will run through June 19, she said.
Participating stores include Ave Maria Shoppe, Decatur Florist, Giggles, Marina Bridal, Merle Norman, Nova Framing, Pastabilities, Haines and Essick and Tournesol.
"Love Letters," featuring Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland, was to be the grand finale of the Shadows of Lincoln festival, but it was canceled due to low ticket sales. "Love Letters" was to play at the Lincoln Square Theatre as a fundraiser for the theater.
There is discussion of making the Shadows of Lincoln an annual event, Stringer said. The committee wants to see how the first event goes before making any plans for next year.
There are worries that the festival may get rained out in its first year.
"If it does rain, we can't reschedule this event," Stringer said. She added that if it only sprinkles, the event still will take place.
"I don't think a little drizzle bothered Lincoln," she said with a laugh. "We're keeping our fingers crossed" about the weather.
Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.
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