Vandalia Statehouse Grande Levee set for June 16, 17 & 18

VANDALIA -- The 38^th Annual Grande Levee, a celebration of the grand receptions held during the 1800s to honor government dignitaries and important visitors, will be held Friday through Sunday, June 16, 17 and 18, at Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site.  The event is free and open to the public, and is cosponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Vandalia Friends of the Old State Capitol, Vandalia Tourism Commission, Vandalia Leader Union, and Baroque Folk.  The event coincides with the National Road Festival being held June 17 and 18 in Vandalia.

 

            The Vandalia High School Band and Cub Scout Pack 315 will begin the event with a flag raising ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, June 16.  An old-fashioned ham and bean dinner, funnel cakes and a homemade ice cream social will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Statehouse lawn.  At 6 p.m. George Portz will lead the Friday Night Fiddlers' Frolic.  A candlelight open house at the Statehouse will follow from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with music provided by Baroque Folk.

 

            Guided tours of the Statehouse will be conducted Saturday and Sunday.  Several entertainers are scheduled for both days, including Dr. Balthasar's Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show, DePriest Puppets, The Banjoleles Band, and Boneyard Creek Cloggers.  Pony rides will be available.  Returning this year will be Indian-style dances by the Kahok Dancers, and appearances by Abraham Lincoln.  Ritter Reproductions muzzleloaders will set up an 1800s camp and demonstrate period activities including tomahawk throwing, open fire cooking, and survival skills.   

 

            Special Saturday events include the Lewis and Clark Fife & Drum Corps at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and Larry Eyman & the Country Club Band from 7 to 9 p.m.  "Earth Woman" by Dianne Moran featuring live animals will be presented Saturday at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.   

 

            Period arts and crafts demonstrations will be held each day, including blacksmithing, basket making, pottery, tatting, wood carving, wheat weaving, and lace making.  Carmel corn and root beer will be sold, and many "Taste of Vandalia" food booths will offer local fare.

 

            Illinois professional artists will show their original work and compete at the Town & Country Art Show at the Fayette County Museum.

 

            Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was the seat of Illinois government from 1836 to 1839 and is the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois.  Abraham Lincoln served as a State Representative in the building.  It is now open daily for free public tours, although a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children is suggested.

 

38^th ANNUAL GRANDE LEVEE

 

5:00 p.m.                      Cub Scout Flag Ceremony, Pack 315

5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.      Vandalia High School Band

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.      Old Fashioned Ham & Bean Dinner

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.     Funnel Cakes & Homemade Ice Cream

6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.      George Portz & His Friends of Bluegrass Band

3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.      Town & Country Art Show

7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.      Candlelight Open House at Old State Capitol

7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.      Period Music by Baroque Folk

7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.     Tours of County Museum        

 

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      Tours of Old State Capitol

9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.     Tours of County Museum

9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      Town & Country Art Show

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.    Period Craft Demonstrations & Selling of Wares

                                    The Banjoleles Band, Children's Activity Area,

                        Food Booths, Tomahawk Throwing demonstrations,

History of the String Doll, Abraham Lincoln (Greg

Bergschneider), Town Crier Bret Brosman, Reynolds Pony

Express.

11:00 a.m.                    Kahok Dancers

11:30 a.m.                    Lewis and Clark Fife & Drum Corps

12:00 p.m.                    Dr. Balthasar's Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show

12:30 p.m.                    "Earth Woman" by Dianne Moran (live animals)

1:00 p.m.                      DePriest Puppets, House of Representatives

1:30 p.m.                      Lewis and Clark Fife & Drum Corps

2:00 p.m.                      Kahok Dancers

2:30 p.m.                      "Earth Woman" by Dianne Moran (live animals)

3:00 p.m.                      Boneyard Creek Cloggers

3:30 p.m.                      Dr. Balthasar's Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show

7:00-9:00 p.m. Larry Eyman and the Country Club Band

 

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.      Tours of Old State Capitol

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.    Tours of County Museum

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.    Town & Country Art Show

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.    Period Craft Demonstrations & Selling of Wares

                                    The Banjoleles Band, Children's Activity Area,

                                    Food Booths, Tomahawk Throwing demonstrations,

History of the String Doll, Abraham Lincoln (Greg

Bergschneider), Town Crier Bret Brosman, Reynolds Pony

Express.

11:30 a.m.                    Dr. Balthasar's Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show

1:00 p.m.                      DePriest Puppets, House of Representatives

1:30 p.m.                      "Earth Woman" by Dianne Moran (live animals)

2:00 p.m.                      Dr. Balthasar's Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show

2:30 p.m.                      Boneyard Creek Cloggers

3:00 p.m.                      Worship Service

 

TOWN ACTIVITIES:  Visit the Fayette County Museum and the Town and Country Art Show.