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As part of the Lincoln-Douglas Sesquicentennial Festival in Alton, the public is invited to enjoy either a “Dinner with the Debaters” on Friday, Oct. 17 or “Breakfast with the Debaters” on Saturday, Oct. 18, to meet Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas prior to their first debate presentation.

As a feature of Alton’s Lincoln-Douglas Sesquicentennial on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 & 19, the Reunion Tour ’08 performance will take visitors back in time to see Lincoln & Douglas address the issues of the day. Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by George Buss, and Stephen Douglas, portrayed by Tim Connor, have been performing across the state of Illinois as the official Lincoln and Douglas for the sesquicentennial. They will confront the issues of the day in press conference style with Reunion Tour ’08 performances on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon.

Meet the Buss and Connor at the “Dinner with the Debaters” on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can mingle with Lincoln and Douglas over dinner, and they will also give a short preview of their Reunion Tour ’08 performance. Additional entertainment will be provided by Kathy Croxton as she plucks out soothing tunes of the 1850s on her dulcimer.
A home-style meal will be served, similar to what would have been served at Lincoln’s table. Menu items will include pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans and all the trimmings. A special dessert will be served in honor of Mary Todd Lincoln. The “Dinner with the Debaters” will take place at the Temple Banquet Center, 300 State Street in Alton. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at the Alton Visitor Center at 200 Piasa St. and Picture This & More at 520A W. Delmar Ave. in Alton. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Alton Museum of History & Art. For more information, call (618) 465-6676.

On Oct. 15, 1858, Lincoln and Douglas arrived in Alton by steamboat and shared breakfast as friends before departing to prepare for the debate. My Just Desserts, located at 31 E. Broadway in Alton, will host a “Breakfast with Debaters” on Saturday, October 18 at 8 a.m. As a prelude to the first Reunion Tour performance, attendees will be able to rub elbows with the re-enactors and enjoy a short preview performance in an intimate setting. Breakfast will include biscuits, gravy, cherry preserves, baked ham, pumpkin banana bread, potato egg casserole and a raspberry scrub. Those attending the breakfast will also receive a Lincoln-Douglas sesquicentennial souvenir to take home. Tickets are $12.95 each and can be purchased at My Just Desserts. For more information or reservations, call (618) 462-5881.

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