If parades, pageants, food, fun, music, dancing and derbies get your motor running, you’ll probably be in Hoisington this weekend. The annual Hoisington Labor Day celebration begins Friday night, and the activity doesn’t stop until Monday afternoon.

Friday night is the opening night for the Hoisington Cardinals football season, and the Cards will be playing Larned starting at 7 p.m. Arrive early for a barbecue from 5-7 p.m. at the space next to Landmark National Bank, located across the street from the high school. A beer garden will be open before and after the game, and will continue to serve until midnight. It will also be the opening night for the Lewellen Amusements Carnival, which will be set up on Broadway through Monday afternoon.

Saturday morning, there will be no shortage of children’s activities. Touch-a-Truck returns to the Hoisington Activity Center.  Many new features include the
Kansas Strong Mobile Energy Education truck with interactive exhibits and flat-screen televisions that demonstrate a variety of oil related activities, like seismic surveys, hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. It even features a three-dimensional oil derrick. The Southwest Dairy Farmers mobile dairy truck will also be on hand. The 32-foot classroom features a fully operational milking parlor, and a live cow. Children can learn to milk a cow. Turtle races and kids foot races will also be held at the activity center at 9 a.m.
Three pageants will be held at the high school auditorium, starting at 9 a.m. for the Labor Day baby pageant, 10 a.m. for Labor Day Junior Princess, and 11 a.m. for Labor Day Princess.  Winners will be spotlighted in the parade Monday.
All afternoon, helicopter rides take off from south of the railroad tracks from noon until dark, and then more grown-up entertainment starts, with the Roto-Mix Roundup at 7 p.m. and “Thunder in the Wetlands” fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Sunday, helicopter rides continue south of the tracks, and the 32nd Annual Kansas State Demolition Derby takes place at 1 p.m. at Bicentennial Park. For the uninitiated, the derby is a loud and unforgettable experience. Remember water, sunscreen, and whatever else you’ll need to be comfortable in the weather as you watch competing wrecks go after one another until only one is left running. Later that night, head downtown for street dances with live music.
Monday, after a 5K and 10K run/walk, find a good viewing spot on Main Street and sit back for what may be the biggest Labor Day parade in the state, according to local sources. The children’s parade starts at 10:10 a.m., followed by the main parade. Then, plan to stay downtown through the afternoon and check out the car show and stop at the Knights of Columbus beer and pop identification contest at the K of C hall.
Participants in the beer i.d. challenge must be 21 years of age or older. There is a charge to enter, and cash and prizes can be won. Proceeds support area charities. The same is true for the cola i.d. challenge, but everyone can enter this contest. The Knights will also serve a variety of sandwiches and the trimmings for lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.
The Knights of Columbus Hall is air conditioned, and this can be a boon if it’s hot.