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| For Immediate Release: May 5, 2009 |
Contact: Dan Tindell (815) 858-2028 |
"Gathering of Elizabeths" June 27 seeks to break world record of 436 set at last year's event ELIZABETH, IL — Apple River Fort State Historic Site in Elizabeth, Illinois is the place to be on June 27 if your name is Elizabeth. Organizers of the second annual "Gathering of Elizabeths" are trying to break the world record set at last year's event for the largest number of people named Elizabeth who are gathered in one location at the same time. A total of 436 people named Elizabeth, ranging in age from 9 to 87 and representing 128 cities and eight states, traveled to Jo Daviess County in northwest Illinois for the 2008 "Gathering of Elizabeths," establishing the world record they hope to crush this year. The "Gathering of Elizabeths" is a project co-sponsored by the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Apple River Fort Foundation as a way to honor the town's namesakes, several women from the early 1800s who were among the town's original settlers, and all of whom share the name Elizabeth. They famously helped defend the town from attack, causing The Galenian, a nearby newspaper, to write on July 4, 1832: "God grant that America may never have greater cowards in her armies, than the ladies on Apple River fort." Several Elizabeths commented on last year's event: "My family and I had a great time! We really thought it was a 'cool' event." "It was a great experience. I enjoyed the time that I could spend with my daughter on this special day. It let her know that there is a lot in a name." "I really don't know what could have been better. It was a great day all around." For more information on the event, visit www.mostelizabeths.com. And tell them Elizabeth sent you. ###
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