LARNED — Area residents and guests were invited to hitch up their wagons and come to Larned over the weekend for Santa Fe Trail Days, celebrating the historic trade route and the pioneer spirit.

The Santa Fe Trail officially began at river landings in Missouri and ended at the Santa Fe Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In central Kansas, the Trail passed through what would later become Great Bend, Larned and Dodge City. Having been established in 1821, the Trail was later protected by Fort Zarah and Fort Larned.

Santa Fe Trail Days was sponsored by the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pawnee County Economic Development Commission. Events took place from Friday through Monday, May 22-25.

Events in downtown Larned included a mix of modern and old-time entertainment including an ice cream social and a hamburger feed, a petting zoo, touch-a-truck, train rides and inflatables. There was also the Santa Fe Trail Showdown Livestock Show and the Santa Fe Trail Days Rodeo.

Other features were free admission to the Santa Fe Trail Center museum west of town, and a Saturday parade in downtown. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal was Philip Perez. Also featured was Miss Pawnee County Teen Volunteer Dakota Bradley and the Santa Fe Trail Days Rodeo Queen Nicole Dreiling.

The Memorial Day holiday was also the largest living history weekend of the year at Fort Larned National Historic Site, located just west of Larned. The fort, which was established to protect travelers along the Santa Fe Trail, came to life with soldiers and civilians performing their duties as they would have 160 years ago.

Daily programs ran through Monday, May 25, and included a blacksmithing demonstration, small arms and artillery firing demonstrations, and a Buffalo Soldier presentation. The day’s schedule also featured a Saluting of the Flag with cannon salute at noon, a Memorial for the Fallen, and a Retreat Ceremony.