HOISINGTON — The sidewalk along Main Street in Hoisington continues to fill with Cardinal red stars in the run up to Labor Day weekend. The theme for the 123rd Labor Day Weekend celebration is “The Stars of Hoisington,” and the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce is leaving its mark with a temporary walk of fame reminiscent of the iconic sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif. The effort is turning out to be a lucrative fundraiser to replace the city’s aging Christmas lighting too. Each star, which can be purchased for $20, will contain the name of one individual who has made his or her mark on the city in some fashion, great or small. Hoisington high school students from the FCCLA group have been painting the stars on the pavement using latex paint since early August. According to Hoisington Chamber Executive Director Karen Baldyga, the paint will eventually wear off within a few months, which is fine because they were never intended to be permanent. 

Friday evening, the weekend officially begins with a community barbecue at the open lot at E. 9th and N. Main, across the street from the high school football field. The Cardinals football team will not be playing a game during the weekend, but there will be a scrimmage in Great Bend. There will be a beer garden available, starting at 9 p.m., as well as live music provided by solo artist Laurel Dawn and the band Miami Over Moon. The Wee Carnival and Midway will be open from 6 to 10 p.m.

Then, on Saturday, the fun starts as the sun rises. The area’s best barbecue masters will check in for the 8th annual Buba’s BBQ Cook-Off in front of Barnard’s Tire and Automotive parking lot. The public can sample their efforts beginning at 1:30 p.m. for suggested $5 donation. Proceeds will go to the Kansas for Kids Foundation. City wide garage sales will also begin selling at 7 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, the Hoisington Activity Center will host Kid Stop, where several simultaneous kid-centric activities will be available for children of all ages. Touch-a-truck, turtle races, kids races and crafts cater to a wide variety of interests. 

Along Main Street, Kans for Kids will hold an open house at their new offices, and a down town Street Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Hoisington Historical Society will be open, and the Golden Belt Railroad Association will have trains running. Helicopter rides, dodge-ball tournament, a car show and a cruise night are some of the activities that will appeal to the adults in the community. 

This year, with so many class reunions taking place, the Hoisington Chamber opted to give everyone a break, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be anything to see Saturday night -- in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone won’t want to miss the Thunder in the Wetlands Fireworks Display Saturday night. According to Jason Dodey at Car Quest, the sponsor of the event, “If you thought last year’s show was good, this year’s show will blow it away.” Bring your lawn chairs down to downtown and enjoy the display.  

On Sunday, more helicopter rides by DWTA Helicopters can be booked for $40 per person at the high school practice field. In the afternoon, don’t miss the annual Demolition Derby and Kids Power Wheel Demolition Derby starting at 1 p.m. at Bicentennial Park. This is the 36th Annual Kansas State Demolition Derby, and will include vehicles in the old iron, semi stock, stock, compact classes and more. Cars need to be registered and inspected before noon the day of the competition to participate, and don’t forget your crash helmet and seatbelt are required. Spectators are in for a spectacle to remember. 

Sunday evening, in addition to the midway and carnival, the Labor Day Street Dance starts at 8 p.m., on Main Street downtown. In the event of rain, it will be moved to the City Auditorium at E. 1st. The band will be a Hoisington favorite, Homebrew. 

Finally, Monday is the big day. The 123rd Annual Labor Day parade begins with the kids parade at 10:10 a.m., followed by the traditional parade at 10:30 a.m. The grand marshal of the parade this year is long-time elementary school principal Alan Charles, who retired at the end of the school year this year (see related article). The lineup this year will include something special. From Fort Riley, home of the First Infantry Division, the Commanding General’s Mounted Colorguard and the First Infantry Division Band can’t be missed. The Commanding General’s Mounted Color guard provides a link to Fort Riley’s historic past, with members dressed in period U.S. Cavalry uniforms, with historic accouterments and weapons, demonstrating the horsemanship skills of Calvary soldiers. 

The Hoisington Masonic Lodge is also planning to wow the crowd with a trailer-mounted display of a car owned by Drive-ins, Diners and Dive’s host Guy Fieri, which the service club is selling raffle tickets for. The car will be awarded later this year. 

After the parade, enjoy one last opportunity to visit the carnival and midway before the weekend activities end later that afternoon. 

Sidewalk stars can be ordered through the Hoisington Chamber website or at the Chamber office, 123 N. Main, Hoisington.