Above / Century Walk President Brand Bobosky and Laughing Lincoln Jubilee chair Mary Lou Wehrli stand at the sculpture site in Central Park with the 4’ Laughing Lincoln head penny. (The image of the coin was created/donated by Blooming Color.)
Century Walk’s Laughing Lincoln Jubilee is set to fill Central Park in downtown Naperville from 1-5PM this Sun., Sept. 30, rain or shine.
Concert seating for musical performances from the stage of the Community Concert Center as well as the playground area will be open and free of charge.
Admission will be charged for the Central Lawn $10/$5. Beer and Wine will be available on the Central Lawn. Belgio’s Catering will offer food for all, organizers said.
Rail-splitting demos also will mimic Lincoln’s skill at ax work
Rail splitting and demonstration of carpenter skills by Edward Bouvier.
“I will bring logs to split, and axes and hatches to sharpen,” said Bouvier. “I’ll be prepared to quote Lincoln regarding ax work and to discuss sharpening angle variations and historic ax techniques for visitors who want to get technical. I’ll also bring a shaving horse to show how Lincoln (or anyone in the mid-1800’s) could make a repair part for home furniture from their firewood pile using tools common in the era (froe, gluts, hatchet, draw knife, spokeshave). I will also remind people that, though Lincoln’s father was a fine cabinetmaker, Lincoln did not inherit that skill though he tried his hand at a few pieces (still extant). He was mostly good at making firewood and leading a nation.”
County fair theme will offer fun activities
Juggler, magician, balloon artist, penny pitching, a 4’ Laughing Lincoln head penny photo op, Dandelion the pony photo op, hi-striker (grab the mallet and ring the bell!), fishing, tall Uncle Sam and music activate the day. Naperville Trolley & Tours will highlight a dozen locations of art in the downtown area.
The Naperville Municipal Band strikes the timpani for a vigorous opening of the Jubilee at 1PM followed by renown folk artist Anne Hills. Local music group OMT led by Dick Kuhn exhilarates the final hour of the Laughing Lincoln Jubilee at 4PM. Concerts are free of charge.
Dedication of Laughing Lincoln sculpture is set for December 2
On December 2 a life-size sculpture of Laughing Lincoln seated upon the cornerstone of the first DuPage County Court House will be dedicated during Century Walk’s Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Bash.
Century Walk has been growing since 1996
The Century Walk, Inc., founded in 1996, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing public art to Naperville, to add beauty to the town, build community and bridge generations by paying tribute to Naperville’s almost 200-years of history through a diverse collection of murals, mosaics, sculptures and more. The mission of Century Walk Corporation is to create culturally significant and diverse public art throughout Naperville.
For info and tickets visit www.CenturyWalk.org or call Mary Lou Wehrli at (630) 420-2282.
Story and photo submitted by Mary Lou Wehrli for Century Walk.
