Cedar Springs Parks & Rec Marks 40 Years with Lincoln Event at Kent Theatre

CEDAR SPRINGS — Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation is marking a major milestone this summer and is inviting the community to celebrate in a meaningful way.

CSAPR will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Monday, June 22, 2026, with a special presentation, “A New Birth of Freedom!” featuring Kevin Wood as Abraham Lincoln. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Kent Theatre, 8 N. Main St. NE in downtown Cedar Springs.

The free community event will bring history to life as Wood portrays President Abraham Lincoln, sharing stories from Lincoln’s childhood through his presidency. The performance will highlight the challenges Lincoln overcame and include excerpts from some of his most famous speeches and writings in what organizers describe as an engaging and educational evening.

Wood has made more than 2,600 appearances in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and internationally, captivating audiences with his detailed and historically grounded portrayal of the 16th president.

The evening also ties into a larger celebration, honoring both CSAPR’s 40 years of serving local families and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The event is recommended for ages 8 and up and is limited to the first 250 attendees. While admission is free, donations will be accepted for the Kent Theatre to help continue offering future programming for the community.

Organizers say the evening is meant to be both a celebration and a reflection, bringing neighbors together to recognize the past while looking ahead to the future of community programming in Cedar Springs.

If you have a chance, come out to the Historic Kent Theatre and watch history come to life in this production. It’s a meaningful way you can support both the CSAPR and the Kent Theatre!