Annual Event · Lincoln Log Cabin

Harvest Frolic

Free & Open to the Public

Celebrate the Arrival of Autumn

Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Harvest Frolic — a beloved annual tradition at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. The event is free and open to the public and takes place across both the Lincoln and Sargent farms, filling the grounds with music, crafts, food, and the sights and sounds of 19th-century rural life.

Activities include children's crafts, food preservation demonstrations, and hearth cooking. Artisans from across the region demonstrate a wide range of traditional skills throughout the weekend.

What to Expect

Spinning & weaving
Pottery & tinsmithing
Blacksmithing
Ropemaking
Embroidery & soapmaking
Hearth cooking demos
Children's crafts & games
Food preservation
Vintage base ball (Saturday)
Historic cricket (Sunday)
Live music & storytelling
Food trucks both days

2026 Schedule

Activities take place at both the Lincoln and Sargent farms as well as the Visitor Center. The schedule below is based on 2025 programming — check back as 2026 details are confirmed.

Saturday, September 26

  • 10:30 am19th-Century Street Performer Clockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 11:00 amPunch & Judy Puppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 11:30 amKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 11:30 amThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center
  • NoonChildren's Sack Race — Sargent Farm
  • 12:15 pmChildren's Dipper Cup Race — Sargent Farm
  • 12:30 pmClockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 1:00 pmPuppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 1:30 pmKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 1:30 pmThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center
  • 2:00 pmChildren's Pie Eating Contest — Lincoln Farm
  • 2:15 pmTwo-Man Saw Contest — Lincoln Farm
  • 2:30 pmClockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 3:00 pmPuppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 3:30 pmKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 3:30 pmThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center

Sunday, September 27

  • 10:30 amClockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 11:00 amPuppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 11:00 am"Adventures with John James Audubon" — Brian "Fox" Ellis — Visitor Center Auditorium
  • 11:30 amKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 11:30 amThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center
  • Noon"Birdwatching with Audubon" nature walk — Brian "Fox" Ellis — Meet at Visitor Center
  • NoonChildren's Sack Race — Sargent Farm
  • 12:15 pmChildren's Dipper Cup Race — Sargent Farm
  • 12:30 pmClockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 1:00 pmPuppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 1:30 pmKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 1:30 pmThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center
  • 2:00 pm"The Underground Railroad in Illinois" — Brian "Fox" Ellis — Visitor Center Auditorium
  • 2:00 pmChildren's Pie Eating Contest — Lincoln Farm
  • 2:15 pmTwo-Man Saw Contest — Lincoln Farm
  • 2:30 pmClockwork Clown — Sargent Farm
  • 3:00 pmPuppet Show — Sargent Farm
  • 3:30 pmKB Circus Spectacular — Sargent Farm
  • 3:30 pmThe Dulcimer Guy — Visitor Center
  • 4:00 pmQuilt Raffle Drawing

Food Trucks

Food trucks are on site both days. 2025 vendors included CZ's Fried Green Tomatoes, Kettle Korn & Shaved Ice, How I Roll Bake Shop, and We-Lik-It Ice Cream. Check back for 2026 vendors.


Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Harvest Frolic is produced and funded by the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation with generous support from our community partners.

2026 Sponsors & Partners

Charleston Area Charitable Foundation · Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition · Mattoon Tourism · Charleston Tourism · First Neighbor Bank · Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System

Harvest Frolic at Lincoln Log Cabin