Chautauqua-Wawasee has invited Abraham Lincoln to speak at a Patriot’s Day celebration June 27 in Oakwood Resort. Lincoln re-enactor Danny Russel brings Lincoln’s wonderful humor, honesty, love of learning, mastery of language and empathy for his fellow man to life in a one-hour presentation on the lawn at Oakwood Resort. 

Russel’s uncanny likeness of Honest Abe in his customary black suit and stovepipe hat will provide a fascinating panoply of uproarious comedy, gentle reminiscence, political intrigue and insightful commentary on the human condition. The public is invited to join Chautauqua-Wawasee for this one-hour patriotic event starting at 4:30 p.m. on the lawn at the Oakwood Resort.

Following the event at 7:30 p.m., the Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes will perform its annual Patriotic Pops Concert, also on the lawn at Oakwood Resort. The first half of the program will include Charles Ives “Variation on America,” Sousa’s “Washington Post March” and the Armed Forces Salute. The second half will include several patriotic numbers as well as a suite of six numbers from the musical “Hamilton.”

Wagon Wheel’s Symphony of the Lakes was invited to play when the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s board and musicians union were engaged in a lengthy contract negotiation that was not settled until May 24 and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic was unable to make a commitment to the annual Patriotic Pops Concert in a timely manner.

The Symphony of the Lakes has been part of the Warsaw/Winona Lake community for approximately 40 years. It is made up of 65 professional orchestra members, some who come from as far as Chicago, as well as from the local community. The symphony plays a variety of musical genres from Ives to jazz, film music and American musical theater.

Chautauqua-Wawasee invites the community to start with Lincoln’s tour-de-force at 4:30 p.m., then have dinner at Oakwood’s Pier & Back Porch lakeside restaurant, then head back to the lawn for the 7:30 p.m. pops concert. Lincoln’s presentation and the Pops concert are free to attend.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Chautauqua-Wawasee provides life enriching cultural programs in support of four Chautauqua pillars: arts, education, faith and recreation. Oakwood Foundation Chautauqua-Wawasee is a non-profit 501-c3 organization with programs throughout the year; programs are held in the Kosciusko County Syracuse-Wawasee area.

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