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Charlotte's Billy Graham Library will host a two-day birthday celebration for the Charlotte-born evangelist, who turns 90 today.
Graham, who is frail and has difficulty hearing and seeing, will not attend the festivities. But son Franklin, who heads the Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, will honor his father at the library today at 11:45 a.m.
Visitors to the library today and Saturday can make a 30-second video birthday greeting for Graham or eat birthday cake at the library's cafeteria, called the Graham Brothers' Dairy. Commemorative keepsakes will be available.
There will also be free tours of the library (4330 Westmont Drive, off Billy Graham Parkway) from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., both days.
The association has invited people to e-mail and send birthday messages, telling Graham how his ministry affected them. Those will be presented to Graham, along with the videos made at the library this weekend.
Tonight, Graham will attend a private birthday party with his family in Asheville. More than 100 family members – including his grown children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – are expected. On the menu: Carolina barbecue.
Another party for Graham, this one to include old friends, former staff members and others, will be held at a later date.
