The Lincoln Pilgrimage, we believe, is the largest, one day, annual Scouting event in the country. The next Pilgrimage will be held on April 25th at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Additional activities have been added over the years, leading to a full weekend of paying tribute to our greatest president and namesake, Mr. Lincoln.
Other activities during the weekend include:
Pioneer Days, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
Camping at one of three locations (New Salem State Historic Site, IL State Fairgrounds or Camp Illinek)
Hiking the Lincoln Trail (the first historic trail in the country to be recognized by the Boy Scouts of America)
Visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Hiking the Heritage Trail
Navigating the Oak Ridge Cemetery Trails
Visiting more than a dozen local museums
Other than the Pilgrimage and Pioneer Days, the other activities are available year round.
Pilgrimage Weekend Events
April 23-25, 2010
Camping
Friday, April 23-Sunday, April 25
Campers arrive and check in at New Salem, Illinois State Fair Grounds, and Camp Illinek.
Heritage Trail
Lincoln Trail
Saturday, April 24
6:00-10:00 am: Check-in and start of the Lincoln Trail Hike (south end of visitors’
parking lot at New Salem)
Oak Ridge Cemetery Trails
Museum Quest (to be posted)
Museum Trail (to be posted)
Pioneer Days (to be posted)
Saturday, April 24
8:00 am-2:00 pm: Check-in for Pioneer Days at the Illinois State Fair Grounds
9:00 am: Pioneer Days activities begin.
Pilgrimage Parade
Sunday, April 25
10:00 am: Wreath-laying ceremonies begin at WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials in Oak Ridge.
10:30 am: ALC Eagle Scout Honor Guard posts colors and begins standing guard in Lincoln’s Tomb.
11:45 am: All Pilgrimage participants gather at Lincoln’s Tomb
11:55 am: All American flag bearers assemble on Tomb steps.
12:10 pm: Wreath-laying ceremony
12:15 pm: Program begins.
1:00 pm: Procession to the Old State Capitol begins.