ELLINWOOD — The city of Ellinwood will party this week to celebrate the 39th annual After Harvest Festival with a full range of activities for the entire family  Thursday through Saturday.
“There is something to offer for every age,” said Nancy Baird, director of the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce. The theme is “Celebrate Ellinwood - 140 years: 1872-2012.”
The event opens with Swimming Olympics at the City Pool with benefits going to Kansas for Kids.
That Thursday evening, the community BBQ will run from 5-7 p.m. at City Park. The cost is $3 a plate. Following will be a homemade ice cream social with performances by  the praise band from the Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
“Nunsense,” a hilarious comedy will be performed at 7:30 p.m. at Ellinwood High School by the Ellinwood Community Theatre. The cost per ticket is $5.
The inflate-o-fun carnival will be open from 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Saturday morning will open bright and early with the 5K/10K run with registration at 6:45 a.m. The 35th annual fishing derby will be begin at 7:30 a.m.
New this year there are Old Tyme Photos from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wolf Park.
At 10 a.m. the parade beings. The theme is “Celebrate Ellinwood - 140 years: 1872-2012,” and Terry Brown is the grand marshal.
Kids and the kids at heart will have the opportunity to check out their chompers in a corn eating contest after the parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. There will be a time limit of two minutes, and the winner will be determined by how many cobs of corn are eaten.
In addition, the Ellinwood Fire Department will have its annual Duck Run at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the pool. This is a fund raiser for the department.
AHF T-shirts will be available, designed by Sharon Sturgis and Josh Sturgis.
Plus, there will be food vendors, a beverage tent and a two-man golf scramble at Grove Park Golf Club at 1 p.m. on Saturday.