Department of Parks
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Endorses June 3 Lincoln-Hanks Wedding Event

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has officially endorsed the Lincoln-Hanks Wedding Bicentennial set for June 3 at Lincoln Homestead State Park at Springfield.

The endorsement means the event will be promoted on the commission’s web site and that organizers can use the commission’s logo. The 15-member commission was appointed by the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives following the passage of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Act in 2000. The commission is informing citizens about the impact Abraham Lincoln had on the development of our nation.  For more information, go to: http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov

The 1806 wedding between Lincoln’s parents Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks in Washington County, to be presented in a play on June 3, will kick off the three-year Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration in Kentucky.

The day begins at 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) with the opening of “The American Experience.” Famous Americans, including George Washington, Dr. Thomas Walker, George Rogers Clark, Isaac Shelby and York of the Lewis and Clark expedition, will speak throughout the day.  There will be an historic area with the building of a log cabin and other crafts. The Beechland Fair will present 1806 activities, as well as period music.

At 1 p.m., an outdoor performance titled “Dearly Beloved: The Vows of a Lincoln Legacy,” will debut. A reception will follow.

All events are free. There will, however, be fees for parking and for the reception that includes a meal.  Tickets for the reception are $10 and can be purchased by calling the park at 859-336-7461. A limited number of tickets for the reception are available.

For more information, visit www.lincolnhanks.net, call the Springfield/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at (859) 336-0052, ext. 3 or the park. The chamber, the Department of Parks, and the Kentucky Historical Society are sponsoring the events.

The park is five miles north of Springfield. For the June 3 event, take the Bluegrass Parkway to exit 34 and drive south on KY 55 to KY 438. Take KY 438 to the park. Signs will also be posted with directions.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov