Elk River Festival schedule

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

This year’s Elk River Festival, sponsored by the Howard Chamber of Commerce, promises plenty of fun for all ages, including an Old West-style bank robbery re-enactment, “golden oldies” music by The Benders of Wichita, great food, games for children and adults, and prizes awarded throughout the day. The event will take place in Howard all day Saturday, Sept. 24, on the Elk County courthouse lawn and in the vicinity.

This year’s festival theme, “Winds of Change” celebrates Kansas’ 150th birthday with an emphasis on “the good old days.” Highlights include a medallion hunt, a cake walk, chili cook-off, an ice cream freeze-off, a quilting demonstration, show and contest, a pet show, a horseshoes tournament, and a cow patty toss.

The festival starts with the medallion hunt during the preceding week. Each day, clues will be available at local businesses. An Elk River Festival button, also available at participating businesses, must be purchased and presented to receive clues. The winner will receive $50. Contact Shilo Crupper at 620-374-5090 for more information.

The Benson Museums will host a museum stroll from 8-11 a.m. Those who visit two of the seven museums will receive an entry for the cake walk. The cake walk will start at 9:30 a.m. in front of the City Building and will continue until all goodies are awarded. The Benson Museums also will be open from 4-5 p.m. for those who didn’t get a chance to visit in the morning.

The annual festival parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at Adams and Wabash streets. This year’s parade includes a costume contest for adults and children with a $30 first-place prize, as well as best-decorated float ($50 for first place) and other categories. Entrants are encouraged to decorate or dress in “old-fashioned” costumes (from the years 1861-1981). Antique and classic vehicles and machinery are welcome. Sign up and line up at 10 a.m. For more information, call Marjean Jacobs at 620-515-3182.

New this year is a bank robbery re-enactment by the Dalton Defenders of Coffeyville. Following the parade, the group will entertain the crowd with a tale involving a Howard bank, some short-sighted bank robbers, and the good fortune and timing of the local sheriff and his deputy.

The Howard Masons’ Hope Lodge 155 will host a free CHIP service to parents who want to create ID kits for their children. The kit will include a digital photo, DNA swab, fingerprinting, and video interview.

Quilters and others who appreciate fine needlework will want to watch a quilting demonstration on the courthouse lawn. There also will be a quilt contest; those who wish to enter quilts may bring them to the courthouse between 8-10 a.m. Votes will be tallied at 3 p.m. First-place winner will receive $25; second- and third-place prizes are $15 and $10, respectively. For more information, contact Judy Simon at 6290-374-2576.

Children’s games begin at 1:30 p.m., and will include a two piñatas, one for girls and one for boys, sponsored by Sweet & Spicy restaurant. There also will be a fishing line casting contest sponsored by Larry Crupper, and the winner will receive a handmade fishing rod.

The horseshoe tournament also starts at 1:30. There is a $5 entry fee, and prizes will be awarded. Adult games are set for 3 p.m. and include a cow patty toss and a nail driving contest. Crupper also will sponsor an adult line-casting contest, and the winner will receive a hand-crafted rod.

The chili cook-off is open to anyone who believes they deserve bragging rights for Best Chili of Elk River Festival 2011. First place earns $50, second-place receives $30, and third-place, $20. Each vote cast by tasters earns the chili chefs $1, plus entrants automatically receive $10 in Chamber Bucks to defray the cost of ingredients. Tasting starts at noon, with kits available for $3 each. For more information or to enter, contact Benji Crupper at 620-374-5090.

A pet show, sponsored by Fechter Pet Care, will start at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in the categories  “Cutest Pet,” “Most Unique Pet” and “Pet That Looks Most Like Its Person.” For more information or to enter, call 620-374-2424.

Who doesn’t love homemade ice cream? The popular ice cream freeze-off contest is set to begin at 2 p.m. The first-place winner will receive $50, second -place receives $30, and third-place, $20. Also, each vote by tasters earns contestants $1. Tasting kits will be available for $3. Entrants automatically receive $10 in Chamber Bucks to defray the cost of ingredients. For more information or to enter, call Shirley Black at 620-374-2503.

Food is always a festival favorite, and this year’s event is no exception. The West Elk FFA will serve a sausage gravy/biscuit breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the Cox Building, and Farm Bureau Financial Services will provide free popcorn throughout the day. Lunch concessions will be offered by the Howard Rotary Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. Other goodies will be sold by the Flint Hills Assembly of God Church and the Elk County 4-H Council. For those who enjoy good BBQ, the evening meal will be sure to please. The smoked pork, prepared by Mickey Wunderlich of Kansas Cooker, will be served with sides beginning at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults, and kids age 9 and younger eat free with a paid adult.

The Elk County Community Choir will entertain the dinner crowd at 6 p.m., singing selections from the 1860s-1940s’ “hit parade.” The button drawings –with prizes ranging from $10 to $25 – and contest and raffle winners will be announced at 6:30. Traci Smith of Traci’s Trends has created two gift baskets – one filled with Kansas products and the other featuring West Elk Patriots items, to be awarded.

The festival culminates as The Benders take the stage at 7 p.m., with music from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s that is sure to set toes to tapping and fingers to snapping. The free concert and street dance are sponsored in part by SKT and Devlin Enterprises.

[FuzzyBeez]

Who is in charge of the craft booths this year?  Last year it was Linda Cooke, but she has moved away.

[Howard Chamber of Commerce]

Jennifer Brummell is in charge of booth space. Her number is 620-205-8514.

[cwinn]

Why is there not going to be a talent show this year? The younger children always enjoyed it. Ava was really looking forward to being able to participate again this year. 

[Judy Harder]

If I come up to the festival, it won't be until 12 or so. Where is a place I can park where I don't have to do a lot of walking?
If I must stand around at booths, chatting and observing each thing to watch...i.e. people watching I love to do.....I will be using my cane, but is there a handicap parking? Or will it be where ever I can find and then walk to get there. Now, I am a walker, but I know my limits and the start and stop of the exhibits and hopefully the visiting will not be good for my legs.
Should I bring a lawn chair? I don't plan on being there for the parade.So any advice?

[Teresa]

There are places to sit.. but you might want to bring a lawn chair so you can sit where you want to.. I'm sure you can find a place to park Judy that won't be too far to walk. Looking forward to seeing you there. 

[indygal]

cwinn, it was a difficult decision to not have a talent show, but the biggest factor was the lack of interest, both by participants and by volunteers willing to chair the event. It's also difficult to find three people willing to judge the contest (and the parade, as well). I'm sorry Ava is disappointed. Perhaps if this is something people are interested in and want to see included as a festival event next year, someone will step up and offer to chair the committee.

Judy, there technically isn't a delegated handicapped parking area, but you still might find something close enough to make it a relatively short walk. There are handicap spaces near the senior center and Cox Building. There also might be spaces available at the Housing office. Also, you're welcome to sit at any of the tables that will be set up on the west side of the courthouse.

I hope I get to see you tomorrow!
Lynne

[Judy Harder]

Well right now I am wishy-washy about driving up.........but each year I say I am coming. One year when (would have to be about 89 I was working with Louie Britain and he had the jewelry store, Randy had his shirt-painting and I had my woodburning) we did have a booth. It was in the middle of the portion of the street right in front of where the medical clinic is now. It was warmish and I had a blast.
Didn't know anyone from Howard, but all who came by made it seem like a fun(strange??? maybe) town to live in. Knowing the forum, I am sure most of them were involved somewhere.
Like I said I knew no one.
I may use a lawn chair for a cane and see what I can do. Weather won't be a factor Unless it is on warm side, never has been warm enough for me until it hit 100+ but maybe. Look for me.

[farmgal67357]

We'll be on the North side of the Courthouse sitting at our "display" table, talking to folks and handing out flyers. Come and sit with us if ya want! We will be the ones in the strange clothes....
Lisa

[flo]

"The Winds of Change" - that's what the theme this year was.  Well, the chamber certainly lived up to that.  In my 71 years, this is the first parade I have ever attended that was not led by a Color Guard and the National Anthem.  Yes, there was a motorcycle with a flag hooked to the back.  Why didn't they have him at least stop in the intersection, remove the flag from his motorcycle, present the Colors while the anthem was either played or sang?  I was so disappointed.  This was a change that should not happen.  Another thing that irks me is for two years in a row I have seen the same adult try to beat the little children to the candy that is thrown.  She certainly fills her sack.  What is the matter with people? Maybe it's just that I am not having a good day, but there needs to be a bit more patriotism shown at public functions.  Okay, I'll put my soap box away and hide my disappointments.