HOISINGTON — Building on the theme, “Our Children, Our Future,” Hoisington will celebrate for the 116th time on Labor Day weekend beginning Aug. 30- Sept. 3.
“Each year, the town of Hoisington puts on a fantastic Labor Day Celebration,” said Chamber of Commerce President Gene Mooney.  “It’s everything you’d expect in small town America… Community BBQ, kid races, sidewalk and garage sales, demolition derby, car show, outdoor dance, flea market, carnival and one of the largest parades in the state, to name a few of the events. As always the parade is an impressive display of beautiful floats, antique vehicles, waving politicians, commercial exhibits, bands and horses.”
Mooney also spoke about the theme for this year. “The parade is an ongoing symbol of our city’s heritage and traditions. Our children hold the key to our hopes, dreams and expectations for tomorrow’s world. The values, principles, skills and knowledge that we instill in our children today form the foundation on which that future is built. The Labor Day Committee asks that all entries in the parade incorporate this theme/concept into their entries and floats.”
Several new events have been added to this year’s schedule of events. Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight touring the Hoisington area viewing the scenery, events and action from an aerial perspective. The 3 -4 minute flight is$35 per person. DWTA Helicopters plan to provide helicopter rides, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Hoisington High School football field. The cost is $35, and there is a weight limit.
 On Saturday, a new event is Bubba’s First Labor Day BBQ Cookoff, hosted by Ron Van Ness. Start time is at 7 a.m. at 271 S. Main. Call 620-793-4904 to register.
On Monday a “Beer Identification Challenge” will be held at the Hoisington Knights of Columbus, 114 N. Main. It runs from 2-4 p.m. on Sept. 3.
The celebration kicks off with the annual Community Barbecue scheduled from 5-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Rd.
The Hoisington High School Cardinals will take on the Great Bend Panthers on Friday. Opening kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the Hoisington High School Football Field.
Saturday is scheduled with many events. The USD 431 Foundation Golf Tournament to benefit scholarships for Hoisington students runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Barton Golf Club.
Selection of the Labor Day Baby Girl and Baby Boy will be at 9 a.m. at Hoisington High School Lee Dicks Memorial Auditorium.  The Labor Day Princess contest starts at 11 a.m. also at Hoisington High School Lee Dicks Memorial Auditorium.
The 29th annual Kansas State Demolition Derby is at Bicentennial Park 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. As an added bonus to this year’s Demolition Derby they have added a compact car division. Rules and Regulations are available at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce or on our web site www.hoisingtonkansas.com. Early registration is Aug. 29.
To conclude Sunday’s events, dance under the stars with local Kansas band “Homebrew” at Bicentennial Park. The start time is 8 p.m.
The parade will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 3 and will follow the traditional route on Main Street. Hoisington’s parade is one of the largest in Kansas with well over 200 entries, according to the Chamber.
 After the Labor Day parade, there will be a steam engine and wheat thresher demonstration at 271 S. Main.
A full list of events is available on the chamber’s website.