HOISINGTON — Hometown holds a special place in the heart for many, and this year, Hoisington will celebrate hometown and those that are homeward bound at the 118th annual Labor Day Celebration Aug. 28-Sept. 1.
All of the old favorite activities will be there. “We’re bringing back more involvement for the kids,” said Kristi Lovett, Hoisington chamber executive vice president. And with that will be the turtle races, the wheel barrow races, the dashes and the prizes and ribbons.
Thursday starts off with a bang with the Kans for Kids Benefit concert by Craig Jaynes at St. John Catholic Church. Bright and early Friday morning, the USD 431 Foundation Golf Tournament begins. Kans for Kids benefits kids in Barton County with cancer, and the golf tournament proceeds benefit the USD 431 Foundation which provides scholarship to graduates of Hoisington  High School.
National country western act Josh Thompson will headline the Friday, Aug. 29 concert at Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Rd. Tickets are $20 to see the singer with an album in the Top 10. His 2010 debut album was “Way Out Here.”
Codie Prevost will open. Prevost is from Canada, and this event in Hoisington will be his only U.S. appearance. He will also prevent an anti-bullying speech to Hoisington High School earlier in the day.
Prevost’s album “All Kinds of Crazy was nominated for the 2014 Canadian Country Music Award Album of the Year.
Prior to the concert, visitors can eat at the Community Barbecue and Beer Garden under the water tower at Hoisington Activity Center.
The carnival is back in town, and they have brought their entire slate of rides beginning Friday. “They are bringing their entire show,” said Lovett. She added that there will be more food vendors this year.
The logo for this year’s event is “Homegrown Hometown Hoisington” and was designed by Lindsey Bogner.  Lovett said the idea behind the logo was a neighborhood feel and look.
Saturday opens with a whirlwind of activities including a barbecue cookoff, helicopter rides, the USD 431 golf tournament, baby and princess contests and 3 on 3 basketball. Always entertaining in entirely unpredictable ways, the baby and princess contestants are not only from Hoisington, they are from throughout Barton County.
The Touch-a-truck event showcases unusual and interesting heavy duty vehicles that inspire curiosity. It begins at 9 a.m. at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Rd.
End the day with “Thunder in the Wetlands,” billed as a fantastic fireworks aerial display at sundown.
For those who enjoy crashing cars, Sunday brings the 31st annual Kansas State Demolition Derby at Bicentennial Park. Fittingly, Homebrew will sing at the street dance on Sunday evening. Some of the members of the band call Hoisington home. Cost is $5 for adults.
Runners can stretch their legs at the Labor Day 5K Run/Walk on Monday, Sept. 1. Call 620-653-4050 for more information.
One of the largest parades in the area, the 118th annual Labor Day Parade begins at 10:30 a.m., and activities continue throughout the day. The Children’s Parade begins at 10:10 a.m.
While the Hoisington Labor Day celebration began as the railroad’s town picnic, it has turned into a multi-day celebration. Labor Day pays tribute to the American worker, volunteers and businesses that make up the nation.
Call the chamber at 620-653-4311 or visit the website at www.hoisingtonkansas.com.