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Logan County Tourism Bureau
announces 2026 mini-grant award recipients
[March 20, 2026]
The Logan County Tourism Bureau
is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Tourism Mini-Grant
Program, supporting events and projects that strengthen tourism
across the county. Organizations and businesses submitted requests
totaling $20,500, competing for $10,000 in available funds—the
highest level of interest in the program’s history.
For 2026, funding was divided into two categories: $5,000 allocated
to communities throughout Logan County and $5,000 designated for
organizations within the City of Lincoln. These grants provide
financial assistance for initiatives that draw visitors to the
area—encouraging them to explore, spend time, and enjoy all that
Logan County has to offer.
Funding for the Logan County Tourism Mini Grant Program is
generously provided by the City of Lincoln and the Logan County
Board.
Logan County Community Grant
Recipients:
• Mt. Pulaski – 2nd Friday on the Square ($500): Creates recurring
monthly events that draw visitors to Mt. Pulaski’s downtown,
increasing foot traffic and supporting local shops, dining, and
community vibrancy.
• Mt. Pulaski Fall Festival ($500): Draws visitors from across the
region for a weekend of free entertainment, boosting foot traffic to
local businesses, restaurants, and vendors while strengthening Mt.
Pulaski as a destination for community events.
• Hilltop Drop ($500): Adds a unique, family-friendly boxcar race
attraction to the Mt. Pulaski Fall Festival that draws spectators
and participants from outside the area, increasing visitation and
length of stay in Mt. Pulaski.
• Christmas on Vinegar Hill ($500):
Creates a festive seasonal destination that attracts visitors to Mt.
Pulaski during the holiday season, supporting local shopping and
dining while enhancing the community’s tourism appeal.
• Hartsburg Historic Jail Cell Restoration ($2,500): Preserves and
enhances a unique historic asset that will attract heritage tourists
and create a new point of interest for visitors exploring Logan
County.
• Hartsburg Founders Day ($500): Draws visitors to Hartsburg for a
community celebration that supports local vendors, increases
spending, and highlights the village as a destination.
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City of Lincoln
Grant Recipients:
• Logan County Fair ($1,300): Attracts large regional crowds
over multiple days, generating significant visitor spending and
overnight stays while showcasing Logan County as a premier event
destination. • John Welsh
Basketball Tournament ($1,300): Brings teams and families from
across the region to Lincoln, driving overnight stays and supporting
local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses.
• 2026 Land of Lincoln CEO Student Trade Show ($350): Draws visitors
to downtown Lincoln while showcasing local entrepreneurship,
encouraging attendees to explore and support area businesses.
• All-State Junior High Classic ($1,300): Attracts athletes and
spectators from across Illinois, generating hotel stays and
increased spending at local restaurants and businesses.
• 2026 Pride Fest ($350): Creates an inclusive, community-centered
event that attracts visitors to Lincoln and supports local
businesses through increased attendance and engagement.
• Route 66 Garage Sale ($350): Leverages the iconic Route 66
corridor to draw travelers into Logan County, encouraging them to
stop, shop, and explore local communities.
The Logan County Tourism Mini-Grant
Program supports projects that drive tourism growth while
strengthening local shopping, dining, and lodging opportunities. By
investing in these initiatives, the Bureau aims to create vibrant
experiences that benefit both residents and visitors.
The strong demand for this year’s program highlights the growing
momentum behind tourism development in Logan County. The mini-grant
program will reopen in January 2027, and organizations and local
businesses are encouraged to begin planning now and to submit
creative, competitive applications for future funding.
For more information on eligibility and application criteria, click
here.
[Contact: Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Executive Director
Logan County Tourism Bureau]
[Text received from file] |
