Date:

February 3, 2009

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Wayne Boles, Celebration Chair, 434-5973

The President and Mrs. Lincoln, General Ulysses S. Grant and the commander of the U.S. Civil War Balloon Corps will come to life at the annual Family Day event, part of "10 Score," the City's celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday. Family Day is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 14 at Lincoln Southwest High School, 7001 S. 14th St.

The following events will take place in the auditorium:

• Noon - "Life with the General" with Dr. Tom King as General Ulysses S. Grant. King is a Professor and Director of Secondary Education at Doane College in Crete, where he also teaches a Civil War course.
• 1:30 p.m. - "Thaddeus Lowe and the U.S. Balloon Corps" with Steve and Patrice Demory of Anaheim, California as Lowe and his wife, Leontine. The Corps was formed in 1861 and is considered the forerunner of today's Air Force. (See local connection at end of release.)
• 3 p.m. - "Visiting the Lincolns" with Michael Krebs and Debra Ann Miller as President Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. The Illinois actors have been designated as the official Lincolns for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's Bicentennial in Springfield, Illinois.

The doors at Southwest High will open at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with the Smith Family Band and the Roundhouse Band is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the commons area. A Birthday Ceremony is set for 1 p.m. and local favorite Chris Sayre will perform in the commons from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The event also features children's games, toys and activities; historical exhibits; books and souvenirs for sale; and free refreshments.

Family Day also includes the annual Abe Lincoln Impersonators Contest. Contestants can register at the information desk from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in one of two age categories: youth (age 16 and under) or adult. Judging will take place at 12:30 p.m., and awards will be presented during the 1 p.m. Birthday Ceremony.

The complete program for "10 Score" is now available on the City Web site at lincoln.ne.gov. "10 Score" is supported by the Nebraska Humanities Council and local businesses and individuals.

In addition to Family Day, the celebration includes a film premiere and three events at the Lied Center for Performing Arts:

• The premiere of "Looking For Lincoln," a two-hour documentary on Lincoln's life and legacy, is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday February 11 at the Ross Media Arts Center, 313 N. 13th St. Free tickets will be available that night on a first-come basis.
• The Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Family Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 12 at the Lied(admission charged).
• "Civil War Voices," a new musical written by Lincoln attorney Jim Harris based on Civil War correspondence, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 13 at the Lied (admission charged).
• A free forum with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is set for 7:30 p.m Sunday, February 15 at the Lied.

Tickets are required for all three Lied Center events, including the free Goodwin forum. They are available from the Lied Center box office, 12th and "R" streets (472-4747, toll-free 800-432-3231, TDD 472-4721). Tickets for the performances February 12 and 13 are $15 for adults and $10 for children and students (those over age 18 must show student identification). All tickets will be for open general admission seating. The Lied box office is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

The Lincoln Stamp Club will have displays at Family Day February 14 and the Goodwin forum February 15. The new Lincoln postage stamps will be unveiled at 10 a.m., February 9 in the Governor's Hearing Room at the State Capitol.

Memorabilia from the Civil War Balloon Corps will be exhibited by Terry Lowe at three events: the February 12 and 13 performances at the Lied Center and Family Day. Thaddeus Lowe was the brother of the great-great-grandfather of Terry Lowe, who works in the City of Lincoln's Information Services Division.