Mount Pulaski Founders Day Festival

Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4

School students get a free day off from studies each year in March for a state holiday called Casimir Pulaski Day. Well, Mt. Pulaski was named in 1836 after Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish brigadier general who gave his life in the Revolutionary War. Town founders added the word “mount” because the town, 28 miles northeast of Springfield, is set on a hill.

The small village of approximately 2,000 today celebrates 175 years of existence in a big way this year on the Fourth of July weekend with a grand slate of entertainment and activities for locals, alumni and the public to enjoy.

The organizing committee of the Founders Day Festival has brought in 24 musical acts for the four-day party, including the well-known jazz ensemble St. Louis Rivermen; nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and folk musician Chris Vallillo, who

PAINTING BY LLOYD OSTENDORF

plays a sweet guitar; the Philadelphia-based 176-key Dueling Pianos, known for their interactive style of piano playing; rock band Highway J; bluegrass music and more.

Tours are available of the historic courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law on the Illinois 8th Judicial Cirucit, as well as the town cemetery, and there’s an agricultural tour offered off-site. Other highlights of the festival are re-enactors, an old-fashioned rifle shoot, a style show, wine tasting, a parade, and on July 4 at 9 p.m. a huge fireworks display.

Food is available for purchase in two large air-conditioned tents. Most of the activities take place around the square.

For more information on the Mount Pulaski Founders Day Festival visit www.mtpulaski175th.com or email [email protected].