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10/02/2003 Archived Entry: "A WEEK FROM TODAY THE TOWN IS GONNA GO WILD WITH ACTIVITY."

A WEEK FROM TODAY THE TOWN'S GONNA GO WILD WITH ACTIVITY

The first sign of what will follow during the weekend will begin on Thursday the 9th when the wagon train of cowboys and cowgirls arrives in town. Most will come a more modern way on wheels, but a few will arrive on trusty steeds. They'll be heading out to the Cow Camp with their tents and campers, the Ira E. Lloyd and Castle Rock Bed and Breakfasts and the motel. Calamity Jane, or whatever persona she assumes this year, is coming here to stay.

After that, there will be evidence of police officers, fire trucks with screaming sirens loaded with screaming kids, dedications, music, food and more food, fundraisers and programs of all kinds.

Friday there will be events for the grade school students at the Cow Camp. The re-enactors will be there with all their early history paraphernalia. It will be a step back in time and a learning experience for all.

The centerpiece of the weekend will be the rededication and 130th anniversary celebration of the 1873 jail which is owned by the Ellsworth County Historical Society. That event starts at 1:00 on Friday and will offer special recognition of Ellsworth County law enforcement personnel. Re-enactors will be there to lend flavor to the period when the jail was first constructed. There will be a stream of dignitaries and a reception for all following the ceremony at the Senior Center. The jail was placed on the Rigister of Kansas Historic places in May of this year.

There will be an annual soup supper from 11:00 until 1:00 p.m. at the fire department. Truck rides will follow the dedication.

The re-enactors will be at the Cow Camp, in all their regalia, to entertain and educate the school children and others with living history demonstrations on Friday and again on Saturday. There will be a high tea at the Rec Center at 2:00 Saturday and a cowboy ball will be held there that evening.

Sunday will feature a cowboy church service followed by a soup lunch at the H.S. Commons. Musician Steve Bowman will perform a concert at 2:00 at the PAC. Tickets for the concert are $5.00.

It's going to be a great weekend of activities...with a lot of thought, planning and hard work on the part of many to make this weekend possible for the rest of us. Let us support it with our attendance and donations. Events such as these bring visitors to our city and help our economy. Encourage others to attend and be there if you can!