Marion County communities plan full calendar of events

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 13 February 2007 18:00

Life in Marion County wouldn't be as rich without the annual events and festivals that the various communities have organized. Many of the major events scheduled for 2006 are listed below.

-- April 28: How Does YOUR Garden Grow? Women's Retreat, Peabody. Sponsored by Peabody Main Street Association, this event caters to women proving fellowship along with informational program about women's issues, interests and lifestyles. More information may be found on the City of Peabody Web site: www.peabodyks.com/ mainstreet.

-- May 6: Tour de Florence. This is the fourth year for this mountain bike ride. Cyclists of all ages will enjoy the 25-mile ride winding through the scenic Flint Hills. For more information, call 620-878-4217 or visit the Web site at www.florenceks.com.

-- May 12: Spring Frolic Tea Party, Ramona. Women ages 5 to 95 come from across Kansas to attend this annual gathering that celebrates Mother's Day and springtime in Ramona.

The tea is held at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church parish hall; the cost is $15 per person.

Tables are set with china and silver from the past to the present belonging to women in the community. The menu includes a variety of treats, such as traditional tea sandwiches, cheesecake, scones, fresh fruit dipped in chocolate, and a selection of international teas.

For more information and an invitation, call the California Sisters at 785-965-7110. Reservations are necessary.

-- May 25-28: Hillsboro Family Festival. Celebrate the pioneer lifestyle of Dutch-German settlers in the Hillsboro area. Highlights of this multi-day festival include a community block party, Mennonite Settlement Museum activities, car show, fly-in, all-school reunion, demolition derby and traditional Memorial Day activities. For more information, call the Hillsboro Convention & Tourism Bureau at 620-947-3506.

-- May 28: Lehigh Antique Tractor and Engine Show. Enjoy this Memorial Day collection of antique tractors, cars and hobby engines. Admission to the exhibits is free, and exhibitors are not charged to display their vehicles and machines.

The show begins mid-morning, and a parade is held in the afternoon. Food is served by local concessionaires, and homemade pies are sold by the Lehigh Parks Committee to help fund the event.

For more information, call the Lehigh City Office at 620-483-4176.

-- May 28: Memorial Day Service and Picnic in the Park, Ramona. Join the people of Ramona for a Memorial Day service at 10:30 a.m. at Lewis Cemetery followed by a potluck picnic in the park. The Ramona Improvement Committee furnishes the main dish and beverages, and family and friends bring salads, vegetables and desserts to add to the menu. Everyone is welcome.

The Dirt Gambler's Museum will be open and features a permanent veterans memorial and exhibit of Ramona high school and grade school memorabilia. For more information, call the California Sisters at 785-965-7110.

-- June 1-3: Chingawassa Days, Marion. This three-day festival features activities for children and adults alike.

A nationally sanctioned Elvis tribute artist contest will be held Friday night, followed by a concert Saturday night by country music artist Trick Pony.

A modestly priced button will gain you admission to all events except the concert, and for a slightly higher price you can buy a button that will admit you to everything. For more information, call 620-382-3425.

-- July 3: July Fourth Eve, Hillsboro. An old-fashion Fourth of July celebrations fills the grounds of the William Schaeffler House including Uncle Sam, Abe Lincoln, political speakers, bands, a parade, and soloists. Enjoy hot dogs and ice cream and the company of neighbors. For more information, call Hillsboro Museums at 620-947-3775.

-- July 4: Fourth of July Festival, Peabody. This year, the city is planning its 86th consecutive annual celebration. Organizers boast they have the "largest ground-display fireworks in the State of Kansas" every Independence Day.

Before the fireworks begins, visitors can enjoy horseshoe tournaments, children's games, a carnival and a parade. Food vendors will be set up on the park grounds.

For more information, call 620-983-2174.

-- July 4: Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks, Ramona. Experience a "Norman Rockwell Moment" in Ramona. The parade starts at 7 p.m., and fireworks begin at dark. Local vendors will offer food. Horseshoe and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments begin at 3 p.m. For more information, call the California Sisters at 785-965-7110.

-- July 21: Annual Hog Roast Community Supper, Burns. In its eighth year, this event is put on by volunteers, including master cook Ron Goodwin, whose company in Burns manufactures Good-One grills and smokers. The hog roast is one of several projects organized through PRIDE, a self-help program fostering community and economic development.

For more information, call 620-726-5878.

-- July 25-28: Marion County Fair, Hillsboro. The 76th annual Marion County Fair will offer favorite events, including a parade, rodeo, demolition derby, and 4-H contests. Special activities are planned for Family Day on Saturday. For more information, call the Hillsboro Convention & Visitors Bureau at 620-947-3506.

-- Aug. 3-5: Goessel Threshing Days. Attractions at this 34th annual event include living history characters; quilting, spinning and weaving demonstrations; a parade; wheat-threshing demonstrations using antique machines; a church service; and children's activities.

Visitors with an appetite for Dutch-German ethnic food will not want to miss this festival.

For a small admission fee, visitors will have access to the Mennonite Heritage Museum complex and all festival events.

For more information, call the Mennonite Heritage Museum at 620-367-8200 or the city office at 620-367-8111.

-- Sept. 1, 2, 3: Labor Day Celebration, Florence. The three-day event features a carnival, parade, city-wide garage sales, soapbox derby, Scottish bagpiping, the KCBS Barbecue Cookoff and many other activities. Kids' ranch rodeo and mutton busting will be a highlight again this year. For more information, call 620-878-4676.

-- Sept. 15: Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair. This one-day event attracts more than 400 artists from 15 states and more than 40,000 shoppers to Hillsboro. The event has been rated among the top 100 arts and crafts shows in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. Parking is available with shuttle buses to the festival area. The fair also features local food vendors serving ethnic Dutch-German food.

For more information, call the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Association at 620-947-3506.

-- Sept. 15: Art-in-the-Park & Craft Show, Marion. This 29th annual free event is held in the city's beautiful Central Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features more than 220 artists and craftspeople from 15 states. For more information, call 620-382-3425.

-- Sept. 29: Old Settlers' Day, Marion. The 95th annual festival, sponsored by the Marion Kiwanis Club, opens with a golf tournament on Friday. A variety of activities are scheduled throughout the day including a parade at 11 a.m. Visitors of all ages can enjoy food and games following the parade. For more information, call 620-382-2115.

-- Oct. 6: Lincolnville Community Octoberfest. This community in northeastern Marion County offers a Saturday of fun, food and friends. It begins with a breakfast at 8 a.m. and continues with craft displays, entertainment and activities for people of all ages.

Sample the diverse cuisine of the German, Mexican and Bohemian-Czechoslovakian heritage of area residents. For more information, call 620-924-5208.

-- Oct. 7: Santa Fe Trail Festival, Tampa. For "good, clean family entertainment" the Tampa Community Association invites you to attend its fourth annual Santa Fe Trail Festival.

Activities will include a cake walk, dutch oven cookoff, children's games, and much, much more. The festival will begin in the late afternoon. For more information, call 785-965-2639.

-- Oct. 20: How Does YOUR Garden Grow? Women's Retreat, Peabody. Sponsored by Peabody Main Street Association, this event caters to women with an informational program about women's issues, interests and lifestyles. More information may be found on the City of Peabody Web site.

n Dec. 1-2: Holly Days, Hillsboro. Hillsboro kicks off the Christmas season with Holly Days, featuring a parade, open houses at local businesses, music, crafts, and the lighting of the holiday wreaths in the evening. For more information, call 620-947-3506.

-- Dec. 7: Christmas Parade, Burns. The 7 p.m. parade through downtown Burns featured 22 floats last year, and planners hope for at least that many again this year.

-- Dec. 8: Bells, Boots and Buggies, Peabody. Sponsored by Peabody Main Street Association, this celebration will take you back to the wild west with Peabody's 1880s atmosphere.

The event includes kids crafts and games, craft and cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, a parade, Santa and more.

For more information visit www.peabodyks.com/mainstreet.