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October events in Springfield include history lessons, Route 66 conference

Visit Springfield Photo: Contributed


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – There are plenty of Halloween-themed events in Springfield during the month of October, but there are other events themed on both history and historic Route 66.

Caitlin Coultas, Digital Marketing Specialist with Visit Springfield, tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch one of the history lessons can come your way by going to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.

“The New Salem Candlelight Walks…Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from October second through the 18th,” said Coultas.  “That’s where guests can go out and kind of enjoy the village in its most original experience.  There’s interpreters dressed up in period clothing, and all the homes are lit by candlelight.  It’s really beautiful.”

There will also be a fall version of a popular summertime series in Springfield for the first time, said Coultas:  the “History Comes Alive” series.

“That’s happening each of the Saturdays, October 3rd, 10th, and 17th.,” said Coultas.  “There’s various different activities going on at the Lincoln Home and the Old State Capitol that kind of give for visitors or locals a full weekend immersing themselves in living history.”

Also, in October, if you think the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66 are done, think again.

“The ‘Miles of Possibility’ conference — the 11th annual Route 66 Conference — from October 8th through the 11th at the Doubletree downtown,” said Coultas.  “One really exciting thing for that three-day conference is the keynote speaker, Jerry McClanahan.  He is the author of the famous ‘EZ 66″ Guide for Travelers’.”

Coultas says the conference includes three evening trips to various sites. And, if you live within 20 miles of Springfield, you get a discount on attending.

More details on plenty of events can be found at Visit Springfield’s website, linked above.

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