Go Fourth!
Leland men have been warned.
Those age 18 and older who are spotted during Fourth of July celebrations downtown not sporting facial hair risk being thrown in the pokey, according to a recent news release.
The Village of Leland is celebrating its sesquicentennial with several activities, Friday through July 12.
Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, the release said, men who don’t have a beard or mustache risk having to pay a fine to get out of a court appearance – or they can purchase $1-bail buttons from the Brotherhood of the Brush before the event, at the Leland Casey’s or from any member of the sesquicentennial planning committee.
Repeating a beard judging contest featured at Leland’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1959, men can enter the beard-judging contest at 5 p.m. Saturday to win $60 prizes for “most creative,” “whitest,” “longest,” “scraggliest” and “best mustache.” For information, call Jim Spring at 815-495-9344.
Other events during the week include learning more about the history of the village, especially with self-guided history tours all week. The Leland Historical Presentation, 7 p.m. July 9 at the Leland School, will include these facts, according to the release: two Leland citizens lost their lives aboard the Lusitania; Leland had gambling houses – and a reputed brothel, until it burned down in the 1880s as the citizens watched; and 20,000 people attended the Bicentennial Parade in 1959, which was filmed by a professional camera crew from Chicago. The free and public presentation will be given by Laurinda Kidd, Leland’s local historian, and Jim Spring, history teacher at Leland High School.
During Leland’s celebration, “General Jim Leland” will command troops recreating the Civil War experience: The North vs the South. Soldiers will live the life of the 1860s, with a blacksmith on-site, demonstrating his artful techniques and selling his wares. A group of Dutch-oven cooking specialists will offer free samples of their finest fire-roasted cuisine from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artisans and crafters will be on-hand with their unique handmade creations – under tall oaks near a creek, a spot that appears unchanged from the 19th century. This family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11 at Villa Farms, 1000 E. Railroad St. Signs downtown will point the way to the farm. For further information, call Mary Spring at 815-495-9344.
Visit www.lelandil.org for more information.
LELAND CELEBRATIONS
Sesquicentennial schedule of events
Friday
Croquet tournament: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., corner of Main Street and the spur road
Pork chop dinner: 4:30-7 p.m. at Lion’s Pavilion, followed by karaoke at 7 p.m.
Saturday
Parade: 10 a.m., downtown
Pig roast: Noon at Lion’s Pavilion
Outhouse races: Noon on Railroad Street
Ice cream social: 3 p.m. at Casey’s
Carriage rides: All afternoon
Brotherhood of the Brush: 1-5 p.m., downtown, with beard contest at 5 p.m.
Dixie land band: 7:30 p.m., school grounds
Fireworks: approximately 9 p.m., school grounds
Sunday
Old-time community worship service: 10:30 a.m., Bethany Lutheran Church yard
Family picnic: immediately following worship, Bethany Lutheran Church yard
July 6
Movie night in Leland: 8:30 p.m., in the Media Center courtyard at Leland School. This outdoor film night will include some cartoon shorts and a screening of Leland’s Bicentennial Parade in 1959, produced by a professional studio from Chicago, before a feature film showing of “Night at the Museum.” People can bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Popcorn and pop will be available for a nominal charge.
July 8
Outdoor big band concert: 6-8 p.m., Lion’s Pavilion
July 9
Leland History Presentation: 7 p.m., Leland School media center
July 10
Carnival: 3-9 p.m., on Railroad Street
Live music by BlueStone: 8-10 p.m., Railroad Street
July 11
Civil War Encampment: all day, Villa Farm, 1000 E. Railroad St., with Dutch oven and blacksmith demonstrations from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Youth Group Fish Fry: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church parking lot
Car Show: 5-9 p.m., at Maddie’s, on Main and North streets.
Sock Hop: 7-9 p.m., Lion’s Pavilion
Leland Alumni Reunion: 6 p.m. at Pitsticks Pavilion, Ottawa. Cost is $20 per person. Reservations must be made by Sunday, with checks payable to Leland Alumni Association, mailed to LHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 52, Leland IL 60531. Leland High School grads can hear special music from each decade and see what was “cool” back when they graduated. All available photos of Leland High classes from 1885 to 2009 have been compiled in a hardcover, color, 140-page book, which also includes photos of the old schools, current schools and the history of the schools. Cost is $45 each if ordered by July 12.
July 12
Antique tractor and fire engine show: all afternoon, Railroad Street, across from fire station
Firemen’s water fights: Noon, Railroad Street
Grain elevator beer tent: 3 p.m., Lion’s Pavilion
Ag Olympics: 2 p.m., school grounds