Ellinwood AHF kicks off Thursday

ELLINWOOD — The after-party is expected to be golden, even if this year’s harvest was not.

Ellinwood’s biggest party of the summer kicks off Thursday as the 50th annual After Harvest Festival opens for three days of activities, music and fun for all ages July 13-15. The AHF returns to where it all began, on the bricks of Ellinwood’s Main Street.

“When Ellinwood After Harvest started, it started in the heart of our downtown, so that’s where we’re bringing it back," noted AHF committee co-chair Nancy Baird. “The dances, the concerts, the barbecue — everything is going to happen downtown on the beautiful brick streets of Ellinwood.

“The hours are ticking down and it’s all coming together,” Baird noted.

Thursday kickoff

The Festival officially begins with 9 a.m. registration at the Ellinwood City pool, where youthful boat-builders will be tasked to put their best float forward for cardboard boat races.

Boats must be pre-made; the pool will not have boat-making supplies on hand. Acceptable materials include cardboard, duct tape, packing tape, rope, string, 24 feet of pool noodles and six milk jugs. Awards will be presented for speed boat, Titanic, and design star categories.

Also opening at 9 a.m. is the display of “50 years of AHF” at the Ellinwood Community Library.

Thursday evening begins with the Community BBQ at 6:30 p.m. at the Wolf Park band shell downtown. Homemade ice cream and a car show are among the activities planned at the park.

At 8:30 p.m., rev up for a traditional “Cruise Night” on the bricks.

The route leaves Wolf park on Main Street, with a left at Sixth to Humboldt, another left to Fifth, south on Main to the stoplight. Then it’s east on Santa Fe to the Pop’n Shop for a turnabout and then retrace the route going back. Repeat as desired.

The band Rice Co. Line is the opening concert beginning at 9:30 p.m. Thursday and continuing to midnight.

Here is a brief look at the schedule for the three-day event:

Thursday, July 13

9 a.m. — Cardboard boat races, Ellinwood City Pool

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Ellinwood Community Library “50 years of AHF”

6:30 p.m. — Community BBQ, $5 per plate, downtown Wolf Park band shell

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Wolf Park activities, homemade ice cream, Ali’s Dance Studio recital

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Car show, downtown Main Street

8:30 p.m. — “Cruise Night” on the bricks

9:30 p.m.-midnight — Free live music, Rice Co. Line

Friday, July 14

7-9 a.m. — Community breakfast feed, free will donation, Wolf Park bandshell

9 a.m. — 7 p.m. Ellinwood Community Library “50 years of AHF”

1 p,m. — Wolf Hotel Tunnel Tours, start at Emporium

2-8 p.m. Wolf Hotel “Escape Room” advance tickets only at historicwolfhotel.com

6 p.m.-midnight — Beer garden, Kansas Sidewinders Motorcycle Club

6:30 p.m. Co-ed softball tournament, South Man fields, 12 teams max

7 p.m. Family Fun 5K Run/Walk, 3-person relay, advance registration at Ellinwood Hospital Foundation Office, 16 N. Main.

7-11 p.m. — Wolf Hotel Karaoke

8 p.m.-midnight — Lazy Wayne Band, free admission, Main and First Streets

Saturday, July 15

8 a.m. — Fishing Derby, Wolf Pond

8 a.m. — Co-ed softball tournament, South Main fields

10 a.m. — AHF Parade, lineup begins 9 a.m., preregister at www.ellinwoodchamber.com

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Family Fun Fair, Wolf Park band shell. Magic show, balloon characters, KWEC minnow races, inflatables, animal shows, games and snow cones

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Restored historic military vehicles display

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — USS Dorado 16-foot model Gato Class Fleet Boat display

11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Ellinwood High School Tours

11 a.m. — 3-on-3 basketball tournament registration, noon start, $30 registration fee

Noon — Kids Tractor Pull, Wolf Park

1 p.m. — Wolf Hotel Tunnel Tours

1 p.m. — Corn hole tournament, $40 per team, noon registration

1 p.m. — Horseshoe tournament, Wolf pond, $20 entry

1 p.m. — AHF golf tournament, 2-person scramble, Grove Park Golf Club

2-8 p.m. — Wolf Hotel “Escape Room”

2:30 p.m. — Duck Run, Ellinwood City Pool

7 p.m. — Comedy Night at Underground Station, Wolf Hotel, advance tickets