Lincoln’s hometown gets bicentennial bash

Lincoln’s hometown gets bicentennial bash

HODGENVILLE, Ky. — Abraham Lincoln’s hometown is making sure the 16th president gets a bicentennial birthday bash.

Hodgenville was forced to cancel the February kickoff of the two-year celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday because of bad weather, but it’s rescheduling the events for May 31, according to The News-Enterprise newspaper.

The celebration will feature the unveiling of a young Abe statue, children’s games from the early 1800s and various displays.

The National Park Service reported an increase in visitors at the birthplace park here, possibly in part because of media coverage and bicentennial marketing.

Although the president is most often associated with Illinois, where he was first elected to public office, Lincoln was born in a small cabin near what later became Hodgenville on Feb. 12, 1809.

Copy of Declaration heads to Minnesota

ST. PAUL — A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence is coming to Minnesota as part of the state’s 150th anniversary celebration.

The document is one of the 25 so-called “Dunlap Broadsides” that were typed and printed shortly after the handwritten version was signed in 1776, according to Minnesota Public Radio News.

It’s the only copy that still travels the country.

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the broadsides were used to declare war, inspire American troops and inform the British government.

The document will arrive in St. Paul on May 6 and go on display under carefully controlled conditions at the Minnesota History Center for 12 days. Admission is free.

South Africa hopes World Cup attracts lots

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa is enjoying a tourism boom and hopes to attract 10 million visitors by 2010 when it hosts the soccer World Cup.

The ministry of tourism said there were more than 9 million foreign arrivals last year, up from 8.4 million in 2006. This represents an 8 percent increase.

Visitors from the United States, Europe and Asia are all flocking to South Africa in record numbers, lured by the country’s famed wildlife, pristine beaches and cultural diversity.

The weakness of the rand makes South Africa a cheap destination for most foreign visitors.

Disney’s Epcot offers Flower Power concert

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — An oldies concert series is part of the annual Epcot International Flower Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort, now through June 1.

The Flower Power concert series includes performances by The Guess Who, Petula Clark, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Jay Black, Herman’s Hermits, Arlo Guthrie, Davy Jones, Jose Feliciano and Tony Orlando.

Exhibits include Disney Topiary, millions of blooms and Garden Town.

For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/flower or call (407) 824-4321.

Associated Press