ELLINWOOD — With a full slate of events  for its 40th birthday, this year’s Ellinwood After Harvest Festival promises to hold something for everyone, July 18-20.
“There is something to offer every age,” said Nancy Baird, director of the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, July 18 pirates will fill the Ellinwood City Pool with activities for all of the kids 5 to 14 years old.
Family fun begins with the community barbecue and a variety show featuring Alex Cartwright and the Backroad Band.
A regular carnival will have a $20 wrist band special on Thursday and Friday.
“Nunsense II” will be presented by the Ellinwood Community Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday events will include a beverage tent at City Park with the band Home Brew playing beginning at 5 p.m.
Tours will be available of the Wolf Hotel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will also have other events during the weekend.
Saturday opens with biscuits and gravy at the Wolf Hotel at 7-10 a.m. or for those who like to exercise, the annual 5K/10K run begins at 7 a.m. at City Park.
The children’s parade, back for this year, starts at 9:30 a.m. followed by the classic cars, and then the regular parade.
This year’s theme of the parade is “Home is where the Heart is” with Duane “Schwabie” Schwab as the Grand Marshal. He is a native Kansas.
According to the Ellinwood Rotary Club, there is still time to enter the Ellinwood After Harvest Festival parade, which will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2013.  Entry forms may be obtained on the web at www.ellinwoodchamber.com or by calling 620-792-9553 or emailing joinerr@fmi-ks.com.  Entries should be submitted prior to July 18, 2013. Categories of the parade include all around, antique tractor, classic/antique vehicles, commercial, most original, religious, theme, and youth entry.
Scottish bagpipes will  play at the historic Wolf Park  Band Shell at 11 a.m. The band shell was built by the Works Progress Administration in the early 20th century.
Also at 11 a.m. is a horseshoe tournament.
Other events occur throughout the day on Saturday.
In addition to the regular carnival, there will be an inflatable carnival.
A highlight to the weekend will be Real Encounter, an action sports ministry featuring BMX riders. They have a positive message about making good choices. They will be in downtown Ellinwood and the cost will be a free will offering.
The weekend will close with a dance featuring Second Nature from 8 p.m. to midnight at City Park, and a breakfast at the American Legion.