Date:

January 30, 2004

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Sandi Witkowicz, Convention and Visitors Bureau, 434-5337

Related Links: Event Program 194K - PDF Abe Lincoln Celebration Ad Poster 84K - PDF Lincoln Institute for Education, Inc. Lincoln Municipal Band

2003 Event Photos 2002 Event Photos

Mayor Coleen J. Seng today announced that special seating will be reserved for family members of those serving in the military at the City’s fourth annual Abraham Lincoln Celebration from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, February 15, at North Star High School, 5801 North 33rd Street. The Celebration is free to the public, and North Star is handicapped-accessible. Seating will be reserved in the auditorium for the 2:45 p.m. concert of patriotic music by the Lincoln Municipal Band and for the 4 p.m. performance by Fritz Klein and Joyce Browning as President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.

"The event is free for all, but we wanted to do something special to support our troops," said Mayor Seng. "Those families who have loved ones in the service will have the best seats in the house for these two special performances." Families do not have to make a reservation, but they are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s office at 441-7831, so organizers know how many seats to reserve. Details are available on the city web site at lincoln.ne.gov.

The Mayor thanked the community donors who make it possible for the event to be free and the volunteer steering committee planning the Celebration. Producers are the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Convention and Visitors Bureau with support from the Nebraska Humanities Council.

The 33-member Lincoln Municipal Band will perform from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in the Auditorium. The band was formed more than 90 years ago, making it the oldest professional music organization in the state. The band is also Nebraska’s only professional wind ensemble. It presents its concerts in a traditional turn-of-the-20th century concert format. More information is available at www.artsincorporated.org/lmb/.

Klein and Browning will perform from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Auditorium. Brown is from Charleston, West Virginia and has been portraying Mary Todd Lincoln since 1996. Klein, who performed at the 2002 Celebration, lives in Springfield, Illinois and has been portraying President Lincoln since 1976. He is considered by many to be one of the nation’s foremost Lincoln actors, appearing in 35 states for film and television, on stage and as a motivational speaker. More information is available at LincolnInstitute.com.

Also on the schedule:

• Children can enjoy toys, games and crafts from noon to 6 p.m., with storytelling by Virginia Opocensky scheduled for 1 and 1:30 p.m.
• The Smith Family Band from Hastings will be back for its third year to perform Civil War era music for re-enactors and the public to dance starting at noon.
• Those dressing as President Lincoln can enter the “Impersonators Contest” by registering at the information desk at North Star. Judging is at 1:30 p.m.
• A Birthday Party begins at 2 p.m. and includes a mayoral proclamation, awards for the Impersonators Contest and free birthday cake.
• Lincoln musician Chris Sayre will play folk and traditional music in the commons area from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.

A variety of Abraham Lincoln exhibits will be on display, and area Civil War re-enactors in authentic uniforms will mingle with the crowd and answer questions. Those attending are encouraged to wear costumes from the era. Refreshments and souvenirs will be available.