Press Release - Monday, May 12, 2025
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Vandalia Grand Levee set for June 15 at the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site
SPRINGFIELD - The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site will host the annual Grand Levee, an annual celebration of the grand receptions held during the 1800s to honor government dignitaries and important visitors, will take place Saturday, June 14.
The event, which features an entire day of activities and entertainment, is free and open to the public. The historic site is at 315 W. Gallatin St. in Vandalia.
Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. on the lawn of the Vandalia Statehouse with period arts and crafts demonstrations, including blacksmithing, pottery, wool spinning, silk embroidery, hand-carved spoons, brooms and more.
The Ewington Chapter of the Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution will display 16 flags used during the American Revolution and give a unique perspective on the period.
Inside the historic site, visitors can enjoy tours of the Vandalia Statehouse. Brian Fox Ellis will portray Lincoln the lawyer with Billie Herndorn at 11 a.m.
The Vandalia Historical Society will offer a historic home trolley tour and tours of the little brick house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fayette County Museum and the National Road Interpretive Center will also host tours.
Unity Baptist Church and Porkorney will have food and beverage available for purchase.
Other activities will include the World Bird Sanctuary and caricature art by Dan Wild at 11 a.m. Wild Foam Adventures will have giant bubbles from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lucky R Mobile Zoo will have a petting zoo onsite from noon to 2 p.m. Local folk band Heritage Blue will also provide live entertainment from noon to 2 p.m.
A trivia contest with Abraham Lincoln, played by Randy Duncan, will be held in the House of Representatives chamber at 1 p.m. Teams can have up to five members.
The Grande Levee is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Old Capital Foundation. For a schedule of events and more information, visit the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site on Facebook or call 618-283-1161.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.
Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
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