There are a lot of new, exciting changes to Farm-City Days this year, said Farm-City Days committee member Jana Taylor.
A Family Fun Night, chili cook-off and ventriloquist with a giant puppet sidekick all await attendees to the 39th annual celebration Oct. 13-16.
Colorado ventriloquist Wayne Francis and his sidekick, Wingnut, are “something completely different that we’ve never done before,” Taylor said.
“Wayne and Wingnut” will perform a free show from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15, and will entertain folks in area nursing homes in the afternoon beforehand, she said. A freewill dinner of burgers and chips will be offered at the same time near the performance tent at the southwest corner of the Iola square, Taylor said, providing a complete evening out for the whole family.
Oct. 14 also features family entertainment. From 4 to 6 p.m., “3” Rusty Nails will perform on the Iola square bandstand. A freewill dinner of burgers, chips and baked beans will be offered nearby, with beverages for sale. The meal is courtesy of Lewellen carnival.
Carnival rides will be up for thrill seekers, with wristbands on sale now for $20 at all area banks and the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, 208 W. Madison. Prices increase to $25 starting the 14th.
On Oct. 16, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Allen and Neosho Counties will provide a fundraiser breakfast on Jefferson Street at the east side of the square from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
A pickleball tournament ensues at Meadowbrook Park at 9 a.m., while a horseshoe pitch begins in Riverside Park at the same time.
Also starting at 9 are a vintage car and motorcycle show on West Street near the post office and an antique tractor show on Washington Avenue.
From 9 to 4, the Allen County Farm Bureau will offer “Ag Central” in the tent at the southwest corner of the square. This also is a new event, Taylor said.
“Traditionally, the Farm Bureau has sponsored a dinner,” she said. “This year, they’ve decided to do something new.”
Ag Central will feature a hay bale maze, agricultural displays and activities geared toward education, she noted.
Also from 9 to 4, commercial and craft vendors open their booths to the public.
At 9:30 a.m., the Big Brothers Big Sisters 3K walk and 5K fun run begin at the intersection of Jefferson and East streets. Pre-register for this event at the chamber office.
A 16-inch-circumference softball tournament takes place at 9:30 a.m. at Riverside Park. “It’s played more up north,” Iola Recreation Department Director Luke Bycroft said of the extra-large ball that keeps play closer to the infield because the ball can’t be hit as far. “We thought we’d try it out.” Teams, which play nine in the field, need to register by Wednesday at the Rec Department, 365-4990, or Chamber office, 365-5252. There is a $110 fee per team. Men’s or coed teams can register. “We’ll provide the balls,” Bycroft added.
AT 10 A.M., the Iola High School Jazz Band takes the entertainment stage near the south entrance to Allen County Courthouse, while demonstrations of loom weaving, flint knapping, basket weaving and blacksmithy are offered from 10 to 4 around the square.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the public can taste the fares of entrants in the Sidelines Sports Bar Chili Bowl Challenge. A $3 fee gets you samplings of each chili entered in the contest, plus the opportunity to vote for your favorite dishes. The top vote-getter receives a special “People’s Choice” award. A judges panel will select first- through third-prize winners. Those winners, plus the people’s choice, will split a $250 pot.
Entry forms for the Chili Bowl Challenge can be printed off of the farmcitydays.com website or picked up at the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce office. Forms should be returned by 5 p.m. Wednesday, with crockpots due at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16. There is a $10 fee per entry.
At 11 a.m., the Iola High School Show Choir takes the entertainment stage. At 11:30, the Pregnancy Resource Center sponsors a baby contest there.
One o’clock marks the grand parade.
Parade city marshals this year are Dave and Mary Kay Heard, while farm marshals are Rick and Becky Robb.
There is still time to enter a float or procession in the parade, Taylor said. Just fill out an entry form at the Chamber, or print one off from farmcitydays.com. Forms can also be e-mailed to [email protected]. There is no fee to enter a display in the parade.
At 2:30, Chili Bowl Challenge prizes are awarded on the square.
At 3 p.m., the Fraternal Order of Police host their popular “Kiss a Pig” competition.
Come 7 p.m., it’s the second Farm-City Days Battle of the Bands at the American Legion Post, 715 W. Patterson.
Advance cover charge is $7 with tickets costing $10 the night of the show. At press time, four bands were scheduled to rock. Krushead, Latent Content, Safe for Consumption and Led Astray have signed on to be named top band.
On Sunday, “We have something new, too,” Taylor continued.
“We’re going to have go cart and lawnmower races at the Riverside Park rodeo grounds,” she said.
“We’re not taking any entries to the race,” she noted. Instead, a company will come, build a track and provide both racers and carts of all ilk for the event.
Gates open at 11 a.m., Taylor said, with hot laps at 1 p.m. and races starting at 2. There are eight cart classes.
Updated information about Farm-City Days can be found on Facebook (search Farm-City Days) or at farmcitydays.com.
VOLUNTEER opportunities will abound throughout the event, Taylor said. Call her at 365-5252 to sign up now, or stop at the information booth near the clock on the square on Oct. 16. Farm-City Days T-shirts and Battle of the Bands tickets will also be available there.
In addition, those with ideas about expanding or improving Farm-City Days should contact Taylor and pass them on.
Planning begins in February each year, Taylor said, and “we would love to have additional volunteers. The more we have the easier it becomes because you can take on just one small piece” of the planning. “It can be anything from organizing the parade to finding crafters and providing ideas — ideas are the big thing.”
