Calendar of Events
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2008
August 7: A Pre-Bicentennial Event: Looking for Lincoln Wayside Exhibit Dedication and Ice Cream Social at the Governor Duncan Mansion. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Looking for Lincoln festivities will be scheduled throughout the year at the various sites that have been designate to receive Wayside Exhibits and Radio Tours. Times and Places TBA.
August 29-September 1: Jacksonville 2008 CHAUTAUQUA: “The Age of Lincoln” —
The official Kick-Off of the Jacksonville Lincoln Bicentennial. On each of the four days, important people in Lincoln’s Life and Times such as: Walt Whitman, Ulysses S. Grant, Peter Cartwright, Stonewall Jackson and more will be performing, along with Lincoln storytellers and musical performances of his day. On Labor Day, the official Bicentennial Inaugural, the 33rd Ill. Infantry Band will lead a march of dignitaries and guests into the tent followed by a narrated concert, Wm. Herndon, both Mary and Abraham Lincoln, and a festive ”Singalong of American Melodies” led by Ken Bradbury will all be part of this outstanding program. Admission: Free. For more information see Chautauqua featured in Highlights.
September 2-3: Jacksonville Schools: “A Lincoln Book for Every Student” Presentation
with President Abraham Lincoln and Mayor Tendick in attendance. All 4,500 public and private school students in the City from K-12 will be given one of the following books:
• K-2 "Abraham Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books"
• 3-6 "Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln: A to Z"
• 7-8 "Don’t Know Much About Abraham Lincoln"
• 9-12 "Abraham Lincoln: America’s 16th President"
The Lincoln Books will become part of the fall teaching curriculum in the elementary and secondary schools. They were purchased with funds given by the Illinois State Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2008
Lincoln School Competitions Announced in Reading, Writing, Art, and Family Quiz Bowls.
All College/Adult Competitions in Reading, Writing, and Art announced.
September 2008 marks the 150th Anniversary of Two Lincoln and Douglas speeches delivered separately, a week a part, in Jacksonville as “warm-ups” to their Great Debates held in the same year. These speeches will be commemorated with special markers each on the date, place, and time it was given.
September 6: Ceremony marking Lincoln’s Speech in downtown Jacksonville.
September 8: IC/MacMurray Lincoln Speakers Series: Jane Ann Moore presenting: “Elijah and Owen Lovejoy: Heroes of Anti-Slavery in Illinois” at Illinois College in Rammelkamp Chapel. 11 a.m. Open to the Public.
September 12: Ceremony marking Douglas’s Speech in downtown Jacksonville.
September (TBA): IC/MacMurray Lincoln Speakers Series: Dr. Peter Verkruyse presenting:
“The Lincoln/Douglas Debates” at Illinois College in Rammelkamp Chapel. 7:30
p.m. Open to the Public.
September 27: Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra opening concert including Aaron Copeland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” Rammelkamp Chapel at Illinois College. 7:30 p.m. Ticket $12.
OCTOBER 2008
All of October: Students and Adults prepare for Reading, Writing, Art, and Quiz Bowl competitions.
NOVEMBER 2008
November 11: IC/MacMurray Lincoln Speakers Series: Dr. E. Claire Jerry presenting:
“The Lincoln Museum: ‘It is for us the living…’” at MacMurray College 7:30 p.m.
Open to the Public.
All contests close November 26 (Wednesday before Thanksgiving).
Icons denote the type of program. Some appeal to several interest areas and will have more than one symbol.
The symbols are:
Education
Music
Visual Arts
Theater and Speaking Performances
Lincoln and Local History
In addition, a 
indicates an event that because of its size and complexity contains multiple interest areas.