If you have been dreaming about participating in our  Enchanting Germany Rhine Cruise, August 18-25, 2013 be sure to wake up in time to register for the $500 per passenger discount, which expires on September 1st, 2012  -just days away!  You may register later, but you will lose out on this terrific travel bargain if you delay.

SPRINGFIELD - August 21, 2012. 2012 was a banner year for the Illinois State Fair.

Attendance soared 13 percent this year.  According to newly released figures from state fair officials, 918,875 people passed through the gates during the fair, which is 103,275 more than a year ago and the most since 2002. The fair concluded on Sunday.

"This was a great fair," Governor Pat Quinn said.  "Every year our State Fair team makes Illinois proud. Special thanks to State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick, Agriculture Director Bob Flider and everybody who visited the fairgrounds, especially the buyers who demonstrated their commitment to Illinois agriculture during this difficult time for the industry."

Grandstand attendance was up four percent, thanks to strong sales from country stars Eric Church and Miranda Lambert.  Church's concert on opening night of the fair drew 12,643 spectators, and Lambert's show on the final Saturday drew 10,103.  Collectively, the acts sold 51,732 tickets, the most in 12 years.  Several records were set during the 11-day run of the fair as well.

The grand champion junior steer shown by Seaton teenager A.J. Line sold for a record $52,000, surpassing the previous high of $51,200.  It was one of five record prices fetched at the Sale of Champions, the auction of prize-winning Illinois State Fair junior livestock.  The grand champion barrow ($24,500), grand champion sheep ($17,200), Land of Lincoln barrow ($11,000) and Land of Lincoln Supreme Dairy Champion ($3,000) were the other record-setters.  The event raised $159,210, not only for the youngsters who raised the animals, but also for the state's 4-H and FFA youth education programs.

"While the attendance is gratifying and makes the effort that goes into putting on the event worthwhile, it's what can't be quantified -- the lasting memories the fair creates, that is most important.  The families who attended this year likely will never forget their trip to Springfield," Acting Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "It's those memories that I hope will keep them coming back for years to come."

Preliminary, unaudited figures indicate revenue from admissions and parking also was up, increasing 33 percent to $1.5 million.

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GALENA, Ill. ? Call, text, tweet or Facebook your best girlfriends and get them together for a weekend in Galena you won't ever forget! Two full days (or longer if you'd like) of laughing, reliving memories and reconnecting all are planned just for you. The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce once again plans a special weekend for "girlfriends" of all ages from Friday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 9.

This annual Galena Girlfriends' Getaway will feature belly dancing lessons, Quartermania, a slipper party and more - just for the ladies - in beautiful, historic Galena in scenic northwest Illinois. A pre-registration fee includes your own Galena Girlfriends' Getaway goody bag, entry to all of the events and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree.

The ever-popular Quartermania auction will happen once again, Saturday night at the Galena Convention Center starting at 6 p.m. Ladies can buy a roll of quarters, bid on a variety of interesting items, and see who gets the great bargains. A Saturday night "Slipper Party" at the Wal-Mart Supercenter beginning at 9:30 p.m. will feature games, refreshments and coupons.

Sunday's finale at the DeSoto is a brunch with your "girlfriends" as the weekend will wrap up by announcing the winners of the shopping spree and gift baskets. Throughout the entire weekend, there are several dozen businesses throughout Galena and Jo Daviess County that are offering specials, drawings, and events to participants of the Galena Girlfriends' Getaway.

For more event info, including venues and fees, call the Galena Area Chamber of Commerce at 815.777.9050 or visit galenachamber.com. Pre-registration is also available online at galenachamber.com. Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau by calling 877.464.2536 or at www.galena.org. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) for on-site assistance and countywide information.

Ladies can enjoy Galena's historic Main Street during the 19th Annual Galena Girlfriends' Getaway weekend Sept. 7-9. Photo courtesy of the Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB.

CHICAGO -- (August 9, 2012) - The 200-year anniversary of the Battle of Fort Dearborn will be commemorated at the site of the 1812 battle. Several events will be held Saturday, Sept. 8 on Prairie Avenue and 18th Street in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood.

Several groups, including the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA), will mark this important Chicago milestone at the 6th Annual Festival on Prairie Avenue.

The commemoration will be at 2:30 p.m. and will include :

-- 1812 Infantry soldier reenactors and the Illinois Guard provide a ceremonialhonor guard.

-- Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Eagle Staff veterans and elders provide prayer, as well as ceremonial Native American drumming and dance to open the ceremony. The American Indian Center, the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian and Native American historians join in partnership for commemoration.

-- The Chicago History Museum's Chief Historian provides a historical overview focused on reconciliation and memorial.

-- The IL Army National Guard, the Daughters of the War of 1812, the Pritzker Military Library and the Illinois Commission on the War of 1812 honor Ensign George Ronan, who was killed on August 15, 1812 in the Battle of Fort Dearborn - and who was the first West Point graduate to die in battle.

-- Invited political leaders including, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Gov. Pat Quinn, 2nd Ward Ald. Robert Fioretti, among others recognize Chicago's city council resolution of reconciliation and remembrance.

Apart from the commemoration, the Festival on Prairie Avenue is expected to attract several thousand attendees and will feature many educational opportunities and exciting attractions including: A Native American flute player, storyteller, Native American crafts, a War of 1812 encampment, tours of the Battle of Fort Dearborn Park, Glessner House Museum and Clarke House Museum, an Art and Crafts Fair, a stage with music performances and entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo, magician, balloon characters, carnival games, inflatable bounce houses and moon walks, face painter, character artist, pie-eating contest, food and more.

This year the Art and Crafts fair at the festival will feature many artists including:

-- Jack Simmerling, an important artist whose original art work and lithographs have been featured throughout Chicago and the United States.

-- Dobrila Pintar, an outstanding artist whose work with lampwork beads, lampwork jewelry, glass sculpture and metal smithing will also be featured at Chicago's 17th annual  Chicago Artists Month.

QUOTES FROM ORGANIZERS AND PARTICIPANTS

"The PDNA could not be more thrilled and honored to be one of Chicago's main commemorations of this important Bicentennial," said PDNA President Tina Feldstein.

"This place is important because it provides a place of peace where there once was conflict," said John N. Low, a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. "It memorializes an event that reminds us that early contact between non-Natives and Natives on this Continent were often difficult -- and that rather than casting the parties as victims or victors, villains or heroes, it acknowledges that these were people first, often presented with difficult circumstances and choices. As much as this place was once a place of conflict, it now represents collaboration and reconciliation."

"The process of commemorating this important bicentennial anniversary has brought together a wide range of people and groups who are committed to bringing this history of Chicago to life," said Ald. Fioretti.

"Commemorating the Battle of Fort Dearborn is important because it helps all of us together and future generations understand who we are, and how we got here, and the sacrifices and bravery that went into the crucible that forged Chicago," said Jerry Crimmins, author of Fort Dearborn, published by Northwestern University Press in 2006.

"Fort Dearborn is an important part of the Illinois National Guard history as we trace our origins back to the militia," said Colonel Thomas Purple. "The Illinois National Guard holds Fort Dearborn in such high regard that many of the units within the state have an image of Fort Dearborn included in their unit insignia crests. By circumstance, the Illinois National Guard Armory on South Calumet Avenue is located near the battlefield. As part of the ceremonial honor guard, Guardsmen will participate in witnessing the commemoration which memorializes all those who lost their lives that tragic day."

"I look upon this commemoration as a time to celebrate together and learn more about each other each day. Remembering and knowing the past, prevents us from reliving it while allowing us to move forward in new directions. With the multi-cultural and multi generational gathering today, it is an honor to remember all American Indian people and the history of the first people of this country," said Joseph Podlasek, Executive Director of the American Indian Center.

"As Chicago has become an international city, commemorating this day reminds us that Chicago has always been a strategic global place," said Russell Lewis, Executive Vice President and Chief Historian for the Chicago History Museum. "The Battle of Fort Dearborn reflects the great diversity of people who lived in the Chicago area and struggled to make it their home, but also the importance of the Fort and of Chicago as part of a vibrant global economy."

"The John Kinzie Chapter and the Illinois Society of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 are pleased to participate in the commemoration of the Battle of Fort Dearborn" said Kathy Haas, State President - Illinois Society, N.S.U.S.D. 1812. "It commemorates the Illinois Territory's early participation in the War of 1812 against the British, and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812."

"The Battle of Fort Dearborn is another important layer in the rich history of the Prairie Avenue Historic District." said William Tyre, Executive Director and Curator of the Glessner House Museum and author of the novel, Chicago's Historic Prairie Avenue; published by Arcadia Publishing in 2008.

Event Specifics

2012 Festival on Prairie Avenue Saturday, Sept.8th from 12:00PM to 6:00PM

Commemoration of the 200 year anniversary of the Battle of Fort Dearborn, 2:30pm

Festival Location is 1800 S. Prairie Ave and Chicago Women's Park and Gardens

Festival suggested donation: $5 (children under 12 months Free)

Festival sponsors: PDNA and Doran's Landscape,  Lakeside Bank, Hyatt McCormick Place with additional support from the Glessner House Museum and other South Loop area businesses.

Festival food sponsors: Café Society and Reggie's cook up a classic picnic barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, wings and mac & cheese. Gigi's Cupcakes will be providing great sweets too.

About the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance is a community organization serving thousands of residents and neighbors in the South Loop area of Chicago, whose mission is socially conscious and supportive neighbors creating an inclusive and welcoming community.

Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) website

About the Battle of Fort Dearborn - August 15, 1812

From roughly 1620 to 1820, the territory of the Potawatomi extended from what is now Green Bay, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan and included the Chicago area. In 1803 the United States government built Fort Dearborn at what is today Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, as part of a strategic effort to protect lucrative trading in the area from the British. During the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, some Indian tribes allied with the British to stop the westward expansion of the United States and to regain lost Indian lands. On August 15, 1812, more than 50 U.S. soldiers and 41 civilians, including 9 women and 18 children, were ordered to evacuate Fort Dearborn. This group, almost the entire population of U.S. citizens in the Chicago area, marched south from Fort Dearborn along the shoreline of Lake Michigan until they reached this approximate site, where they were attacked by about 500 Potawatomi. In the battle and aftermath, more than 60 of the evacuees and 15 Native Americans were killed. The dead included Army Captain William Wells, who had come from Fort Wayne with Miami Indians to assist in the evacuation, and Naunongee, Chief of the village of Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Ottawa Indians known as the Three Fires Confederacy. In the 1830s, the Potawatomi of Illinois were forcibly removed to lands west of the Mississippi. Potawatomi Indian Nations continue to thrive in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oklahoma and Canada and more than 36,000 American Indians from a variety of tribes reside in Chicago today.

About the Clarke House Museum

Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, the Clarke House Museum is Chicago's oldest house. The house shows what life was like for a middle-class family in Chicago during the city's formative years before the Civil War. Its fascinating history began at a time when family members could see the campfires of Native Americans in the distance. Clarke House Museum website

About the Glessner House Museum

A National Historic Landmark, Glessner House was designed by noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, started in 1886 and completed in 1887. It remains an internationally-known architectural treasure in Chicago. A radical departure from traditional Victorian architecture, the structure served as an inspiration to the young Frank Lloyd Wright and helped redefine domestic architecture. Glessner House Museum website

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