HOISINGTON — Hoisington’s Labor Day celebration grew out of a family-friendly picnic in days gone by. It’s important to keep that feeling alive, noted Hoisington Chamber Executive Director Karen Baldyga.
“There was a time, that nobody alive can remember, there wasn’t a carnival, or events, or arranged activities,” she said. “It was a time when people came together just to march down Main Street and then go and have a nice picnic by the railroad.”
Today, the focus is for a fun time for an extended four-day weekend.
“When people come back here with their families, they already have so many memories. They want their children to have those, but their children’s memories won’t be the same as their parents,’” she said.
“If there are fun events that are going on, their kids will remember those. There’s a little something for everybody, for every age.”
Kid-related activities over the four-day weekend include:
Saturday KidStop at HAC
There will be a lot of trucks and vehicles at the Touch-A-Truck. Then there’s turtle races and kids races and arts and crafts.
“For the first time ever, we’re going to have a kids’ tractor pull, sponsored by BTI. We’re really excited about that,” Baldyga said. As a feature of the event, kids that finish in the top placings will be eligible to go on to the Kansas State Fair. Those that earn first place in their age group will receive wooden trophies made by V’s Workshop in Hoisington.
Concessions will be provided by Concordia Lutheran Church and GPS Kids Club. Hoisington High School’s FCCLA organization will be doing tattoos and face-painting.
Sunday’s Derby warmup
Prior to the 40th anniversary running of the Kansas State Demolition Derby in Hoisington, the kids will have the arena to themselves, Baldyga said. “We let the kids bring in their Power Wheels at no fee. They can just come in and have a bit of fun.”
Monday’s parade
Also, prior to the 127th annual Labor Day Parade, kids with have their own chance to march down Main Street. “Any child that enters in the Kids’ Parade will receive a little gift bag from the Chamber with goodies. There’s also a wristband to wear for admission to the inflatables offerings at the City Building after the parade,” Baldyga said. They can also enjoy the carnival-stye activities provided by the Hoisington Elementary Parents Association.
See page 3 of today’s Great Bend Tribune for a full schedule of events.
