LARNED — The 2011 Santa Fe Trails Days, “Celebrating Kansas’ 150th Anniversary” will feature a few new ideas for the annual event scheduled April 29-30.
“The Larned Area Chamber of Commerce has voted to block off Broadway from 4th Street to 8th Street  for vehicular traffic to create a safe environment for you and our visitors while creating better sales opportunities for our vendors and businesses,” said Courtland Holman, Larned Chamber of Commerce director. “We are working with the city of Larned to create this safe experience while providing the entertainment that you have enjoyed in the past.”
Sales vendors, food vendors, car show, parade, Pump it Up Jumpees, provided by the Larned Assembly of God, petting zoo, face painting and balloon art will also be featured. More than 50 vendors will be featured along with a car show and tractor exhibit.
The Santa Fe Trail Day buttons are on sale for $5 at the Chamber of Commerce and various stores.
The button allows button-holders to enter the Ranch Rodeo for a reduced price and offers a reduced price for the Chamber Hamburger Feed. The Ranch Rodeo, $240 per team, will start at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Pawnee County Fair.
The Chamber also plans to promote businesses that offer special incentives for button-holders. Other businesses located off Broadway will be offered space to promote their businesses.
Holman is also finalizing a list of major sponsors to insure they are properly promoted. Chamber board members contact individual businesses.
“I want to make sure that no one is missed, but I need enough time to make that happen and check the list not once, nor twice but thrice,” he said.
DOWNTOWN VENDORS
Arts, crafts and food booth vendors will be featured during the Santa Fe Trail Days Celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30. Set-up time begins at 6:30 a.m.  Booths this year will be located in a court area on blocked off streets or in front of downtown businesses. Businesses will tents or canopies will receive priority placement.
Exhibitors must provide their own tables and chairs. Map will be sent out the week prior to the event.
Space is reserved first come, first served.
PARADE ENTRIES
 Entry information for the parade is available at the Chamber office, Parade entries are needed by April 5. Check-in for the parade is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 4th and Main, The parade lineup crew will wear orange vests to check-in and find out where to place your parade entry for line-up. 
“For Chamber business owners not located in town, the parade is a great opportunity for you to promote your business,” Holman said.
For information about downtown vendors or parade entries, call the Chamber at (620) 285-6916 or 1-800-747-6919.