Community Calendar

The former Illinois capital will say "Happy Birthday" to Abraham Lincoln with a weekend of festivities, including a discussion of slavery at the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site while there also will be festivities going on at Lerna, Bloomington and Springfield.

The Vandalia party includes an evening of music and dancing Saturday, February 9. The third annual Lincoln Victory Ball kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 S. Third Street. People who dress in period attire can attend at no charge, but the price is $5 for everyone else. Refreshments will be served and the Salt Creek Band will perform and lead visitors in period dances. Donations will go to the Wounded Warriors Project. Also Saturdat, the National Road Interpretive Center will host a party on behalf of Mr. Lincoln from 3-5 p.m. Molly Bellany will talk about "the experiences of a young man of 21 years" at 4 p.m. There will be children's activities and refreshments. The center is one block west of the statehouse.

Sunday activites include local historian Kevin Kaegy speaking on "Lincoln and Slavery." This free lecture begins at 2 p.m. at the Vandalia Statehouse. And the Fayette County Museum will have a special display about Lincoln throughout February. The museum is located in a former church directly north of the statehouse. Visitors also can explore Lincoln Park, across the street from the Vandalia Statehouse and take their photo with the Abraham Lincoln statue. Explorers also will find "Looking for Lincoln" storyboards that highlight people, places and events from Lincoln's life.

-- The Lincoln Log Cabin in Lerna will host an Open House Saturday, February 9.

-- Screening  of the new film "Saving Lincoln" will be held Monday, February 11 as part of the annual symposium organized by the Abraham Lincoln Association.

-- There will be a party at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site Saturday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit with the Lincoln family as they celebrate the birthday of their illustrious relative. His friends and relatives will entertain you with personal stories and anecdotes.

-- Concert at the Lincoln Presidental Museum Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band performs 19th century music in the plaza.

-- Symposium at the Lincoln Presidential Library Monday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 12. Two days of programs. For more details visit http://bit.ly/ALASymposium

-- Concert at Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site Monday, February 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Metamora Courthouse Band and the Metamora Courthouse Civil War Dancers perform. The free event also includes a sing-along.

-- Lincoln appearance at the Presidential Museum Tuesday, February 12 from 1-3 p.m Fritz Klein portrays Abraham Lincoln in the plaza of the museum.