Prairie State Wire

The annual candlelight walk at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site will occur from 7-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 5. The event marks the start of the fall festival season.

Visitors are invited to explore the site at night, with pathways in the historic village lined with candle lanterns. Site staff and volunteer interpreters dressed in period clothing will be present in many of the log homes and shops to discuss life in the original village and 19th century Illinois. Building interiors will be lit by candles, allowing visitors to walk through open buildings. Visitors are asked to keep flashlights off while experiencing the village by candlelight.

Admission and parking are free, though donations for site upkeep are encouraged. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from two food trucks and a coffee truck that will be parked at the site. Railsplitter Gifts and Eatery is now on site for dinner and souvenirs.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site is located at 15588 History Lane in Petersburg. The site is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.