Bridge Celebration Planners have partnered with Savanna Historical Society, to sponsor a series of events and fund-raising activities on the second and third weekends of January 2018. The events include:
- an exhibit of new and old bridge photographs
- programs on “building the new bridge”
- fundraising to offset costs for the bridge dedication in June.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
- The exhibit will feature bridge-related photography of Roger Husband, including photos of the old Savanna-Sabula Bridge and the new Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge. They contain numerous photos of bridge workers in action, the machines and tools they used, and photos of the new bridge throughout its construction.
- The exhibit will be at Savanna Museum and Cultural Center, 406 Main Street, Savanna, IL, open to the public from noon until 5:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, January 13 and 14 and 20 and 21. There will be no admission charge, although donations are greatly appreciated.
BRIDGE BUILDING PROGRAMS
Two educational and informational programs, concerning phases in the building of the Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge, are set at the Savanna Museum and Cultural Center, beginning at 2:00 p.m. A reception with light refreshments follows each program. There will be no admission charge, although donations are greatly appreciated and will be divided between the Historical Society and the Bridge Celebration Planners.
- Sunday, January 14: Faith Duncan, Project Engineer, Studies & Plans, from IDOT, will present the Phase I Study and Phase II Contract Plans to replace the aging U. S. 52/IL 64 bridge over the Mississippi River.
- Sunday, January 21: Kirk Nelson, Municipal Services Manager from Missman, Inc. in Rock Island, IL, will discuss the construction phase of the new bridge, with a focus on the main river crossing. It will show wall construction on the Illinois approach.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
- Photo Sale: All photos featured in the Photography Exhibits on January 13, 14, 20, and 21 will be available for purchase. Roger Husband will donate 25% of the profit from each photo to the Historical Society and the Bridge Celebration Planners.
- Raffle Tickets: Bridge Celebration Planners will sell raffle tickets at $5 for a Cash Raffle with a $1000 1st prize; $500 2nd prize; $250 3rd prize. The drawing will take place on Saturday, March 24, at Manny’s. Winners do not have to be present.
- Volunteers will take photo orders and sell raffle tickets all four days of the exhibit.
Bridge Celebration Planners are raising funds to offset costs of a bronze dedication plaque and with celebratory events being planned to honor local veterans, on June 16 and 17. All funds raised that are not needed for the celebrations will be donated to American Legion Post #148, to help fund the new Veterans Memorial Park.