Department of Tourism
Lincoln Days Set for Oct. 6-7 in Hodgenville

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the seventh in a series of monthly news releases on events and preparations leading up to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial in Kentucky.

HODGENVILLE, Ky. – The 34th annual fall Lincoln Days celebration is expected to attract about 15,000 participants and spectators to Hodgenville Saturday and Sunday Oct. 6-7.

A parade, a rail-splitting contest and other “pioneer games” Saturday will focus attention on LaRue County as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, who rose from humble origins on a farm near Hodgenville to become 16th president of the United States. There will also be a Lincoln look-alike contest and music from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the town center after the parade.

Governor Ernie Fletcher has been invited to attend and is expected to make a check presentation for renovations to the Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville. The parade’s grand marshal will be 2nd District Congressman Ron Lewis.

“This will be a warm-up for the Lincoln Bicentennial,” said Charles Setters, Lincoln Days president. The 200th anniversary celebration of Lincoln’s birth kicks off Feb. 12, 2008 at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park outside Hodgenville. The bicentennial is expected to bring a dramatic increase of visitors to Hodgenville and the surrounding area, which are preparing to accommodate the influx of travelers.

The parade, which starts at 2 p.m., and related increased traffic will provide a test for the newly completed downtown “roundabout,” which has replaced the former square intersection at the center of town. The roundabout, which is designed to reduce congestion, will be formally dedicated on Oct. 4, Setters said.

Among other high points of the weekend festivities are a band and color guard from Ft. Knox that will participate in the parade, and a team of Kentucky National Guard paratroopers who will jump and sail along the parade route, Setters said.

An original Lincoln drama will be presented at the LaRue County courthouse at 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. There will also be an antique car show on Sunday. The Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park will also have special activities on Saturday. 

For more information, visit the Lincoln Days web site at www.lincolndays.org or call 270-358-8710.