MORAN — While the community celebrates Kansas’ sesquicentennial as part of Moran Days this weekend, locals will get to learn about pieces of Moran’s history as well.
Saturday’s festivities will once again include the time-honored Moran Day standards, such as the parade, free bean feed and merchants drawing.
In marking Kansas’ 150th anniversary of statehood, Molly Trolley organizers will give a tour of town, with photos to show the passengers what neighborhoods looked like decades ago.
Iolan Donna Houser will serve as the narrator for the 45-minute ride.
The rides are free, courtesy of donations by Emprise Bank, Pump’N Pete’s and Personal Service Insurance.
The rides start in the park as soon as the 11 a.m. parade ends and will run until about 4 p.m.
THERE ARE plenty of other activities to keep festival-goers busy throughout the day.
The events kick off bright and early at 7 a.m. at the Moran City Park with the third annual Marmaton Valley FCCLA Fitness Walk/Run Marathon.
Walkers can go 2 miles; runners can follow a 5-kilometer course.
Registration starts at 6:45 a.m.
There are no rules; participants are encouraged just to have fun and enjoy some physical activity, FCCLA sponsor Elaine Stewart said.
Marathon T-shirts can be purchased for $10 either by calling (620) 237-4251 or (620) 228-2175 in advance. There might be some shirts available on race day.
Also at 7 o’clock, FCCLA members will serve biscuits and gravy at the park.
The Moran Public Library begins its annual book sale at 8, and sign-up for those seeking chances in the merchants drawing begins at 9.
The 11 o’clock parade will rely on the Moran Day theme, “Kansas — 150 Years Strong.” E.J. and Barb Siefker are the grand marshals.
Immediately after the parade, First Christian Church will serve lunch at the American Legion building.
From there, festivities hit high gear at the park with arts and crafts, a disc jockey and cake walk.
Inflatable kids games and pony rides start at noon, a pedal pull ensues at 2 p.m., and the merchants drawing and grand prize drawing are at 3. Entrants must be on hand for the merchants drawing. Hopefuls in the grand prize drawing for a processed quarter buffalo need not be present to win.
The free bean feed begins serving at 4, with corn bread available by FCCLA.
A miniature horse pull wraps up the day’s festivities from 5 to 7 p.m. at the park.
