Organizers of the upcoming and 40th edition of Farm-City Days are looking back to the annual festival’s roots.
Serving as grand marshals for Farm-City Days, which runs Oct. 12-15, are Gary Parker, Leon Catron and Paul Setter. All three were among participants in the inaugural Farm-City Days 40 years ago.
“We’d really like to get other people here who may have been involved with the first Farm-City Days,” said Mike Jewell, one of the organizers.
Perhaps some of the original participants could set up a float for the parade, he suggested.
“It’s not too late,” he said. “We’d love to have them.”
A number of activities will fill the four-day celebration, including the inaugural Little Miss Farm-City Days Pageant, open to girls ages 2-12 and sponsored by All About U Salon.
Themed “Cowgirl Up,” the pageant will honor the entrants with the best cowgirl costume, as well as special awards for best hair, eyes and smile. Festivalgoers also can vote on the most photogenic at a special booth the evening of Thursday, Oct. 13, during Family Fun Night.
The pageant will take place the morning of Oct. 15, with the winner and runner-up from four age divisions each riding in the Farm-City Days parade.
There is some urgency. The â¨filing deadline for the pageant is Saturday. For more information, go to the festival’s website, www.farmcitydays.com.
Lewellen Carnival will once again set up shop along a two-block stretch of Jackson Avenue on the north side of the courthouse square starting Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Wristbands, granting unlimited access to carnival rides are available for $20 in advance at Great Southern Bank, Emprise Bank and the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce. Wristbands at the carnival sell for $25 apiece.
OTHER ACTIVITIES for Family Fun Night on Oct. 13 include several kids games, such as limbo, penny in a haystack search, cakewalk and car bash from 6 to 8 p.m., and a performance by the Reba E. Davis Memorial Drum Circle at 6:30 featuring elementary school students under the direction of Karen Jesseph. Voting for LIttle Miss Farm City Days’ most photogenic contest runs from 6 to 8.
The Wesley United Methodist Church youth group will sell hot dogs throughout the evening.
THE FIDDLERS and Pickers highlight activities on Friday, Oct. 14, with a performance at the bandstand from 6 to 8 p.m.
Other activities include Cruise Night for hot rod owners from 6 to 8 and the Farm-City Days Pub Crawl starting at 7 o’clock.
The Allen County Animal Rescue Facility will sell food for festival-goers during the evening’s events.
The pub crawl will take participants from the Iola Elks Lodge to Sidelines Bar and Grill, El Charro Mexican Restaurant, Denny’s Sports Center, 5 O’Clock Somewhere and wind up at Scooters. At each stop, teams, between six and eight members, will partake in two “minute to win it” timed events. Items also will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Farm-City Days Committee.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Jana Taylor, Farm-City Days Committee member.
Jewell noted that while several stops are in drinking establishments, many participants will not consume alcohol. None of the competitions feature drinking.
“We were concerned we might be too loud, but businesses have encouraged us to do things like this more often,” Jewell said.
Participants must be at least 21. The entry deadline is Oct. 7, and the competition is limited to 10 teams.
THE FUN hits high gear the morning of Saturday, Oct. 15, with the Little Miss Farm City Pageant and crowning; the start of the car and motorcycle show on West Street; a Farm Bureau Ag Central interactive display on the southwest corner of the square; an antique tractor show; a horseshoe tournament at Riverside Park; and commercial and craft booths setting up shop on the square. All start at 9 o’clock.
At 9:30 is a 5K run, sponsored by Allen County Mat Warriors. The running route will head from the square to Cottonwood Street, then to the north through Highland Cemetery and back south along Jefferson before winding up back at the square.
“It’s almost the same route as the Charley Melvin Run,” Taylor said.
The Kansas National Guard will set up an obstacle course on East Street at 10, at the same time artisan demonstrations begin on the courthouse lawn.
Sidelines will host a Chili Bowl Challenge at 11 o’clock. Entrants and judges both are needed, Jewell said. There is no entry fee.
The parade starts at 1 p.m., with lineup starting in the morning along South Washington Avenue. The registration table will be in front of the Iola Register at 302 S. Washington Ave.
“We still would love to see more parade entries,” said Marty Meadows, committee member and parade chairman.
Free music shows will be offered as well on the stage adjoining the courthouse. Performing will be the Iola High School jazz band and choir and the Allen County Community College choir before the parade. Immediately after the parade, the Loaded Goats, a bluegrass and rock-and-roll band, will perform.
A special booth filled with military artifacts will be set up on both Oct. 13 and 15.
Saturday’s activities wrap up in the evening with the Battle of the Bands at the American Legion Post on Patterson Avenue.
Five area bands will vie for a $500 grand prize. Advance tickets are available for audience members at the Chamber of Commerce office for $7. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10. Audience members must be at least 18 to enter.
The fun concludes on Sunday, Oct. 16, with a pickleball tournament at Meadowbrook Park hosted by Lyle Kern.
For more information on these and other activities, visit www.farmcitydays.com.
JEWELL spoke briefly about the cooperation among downtown merchants, many of whom have business impacted one way or the other by Farm-City Days.
Some welcome seeing added visitors, while others are adversely impacted, Jewell said.
For example, Shields Barber Shop on West Street will be open Oct. 15, but customers must find another place to park with West Street closed for the car show.
Jewell encouraged festival-goers to remember the merchants and pay them a visit before or during Farm-City Days.
“We appreciate their understanding,” Jewell said.
