Weekend offers fun, memorial events
Marion County towns offer a mix of traditional memorial salutes to veterans and fun events this weekend.
Peabody
Saturday — The Peabody Historical Society’s annual fried chicken dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building will remain open until 3 p.m.
Visitors can buy a raffle ticket for a patriotic quilt, see the new Peabody research area, see a printing press in action, and visit about military uniform displays.
They may see Rock Island railroad tools that came from the transfer tower and an early community street scene from Mrs. Kyle’s seventh grade history class.
A quilt made by fifth and sixth graders in 1976 will be on display.
The Carnegie Library will be open during lunch so people can see changes there.
Sunday — Peabody Legion Auxiliary Golf Tournament will tee off at noon with four man teams. Entry fee is $25. Money raised will go to the building fund. Donations and questions may be directed to Myrna Wood at (316) 772-2669.
“Recollections of Gary Jones” memorial will be 2 to 5 p.m. at Santa Fe Park. In case of inclement weather, it will be at the Sunflower Theatre. People are asked to bring lawn chairs and memories to share.
Monday — Class of 2024 Memorial Day Dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peabody Burns High School Brown Gym.
The menu will include choice of smoked shredded sirloin, ham, or smoked chicken; cheesy potatoes, corn and green beans; rolls; assorted desserts; and a drink.
Lunch is catered by The Bomb BBQ. Advance tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for kids 14 and over, and $13 for kids 13 and younger.
Tickets at the door are $2 more.
To purchase tickets, contact Lisa Hutto, (316) 288-9424, Deanna Baker, (316) 772-2168, or any class of 2024 member.
Florence
Saturday — Florence 150th anniversary celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and last all day. Buttons will be sold to support the event, with purchasers’ names placed in a jar for a $150 drawing. Food and retail vendors will be open along Main St. all day.
A historical presentation at Harvey House will be at 10:30 a.m.
An alumni banquet will be served in the Florence gymnasium at noon.
Performances at downtown Veterans Park will begin at 3 p.m. Jeff Davidson will sing cowboy songs and tell cowboy stories, and Delano Dollies will present an Old West-style saloon show.
A simulated shoot-out by outlaws will be followed at 6 p.m. by a Patsy Cline tribute that will feature her best hits and the stories behind them.
Visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Sam Unruh will be live on his guitar at Fuzzy’s Bar and Grill after festivities.
Sunday — Florence Grand Prix, a reincarnation of the Florence Grand Prix races first held in 1972. Spectator buttons are $10.
An 8 a.m. church service near 5th and Main Sts. will kick off race day. A parade lap for vintage and modern classes will be at 8 a.m., with the vintage race at 10 a.m. The modern race will begin at 1 p.m. Trophies will be presented at 6:15 p.m.
Marion
Friday — “Backyard Vibes” cookout and music, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Historic Elgin Hotel. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased by calling (620) 382-3200.
Hillsboro
Monday — Steak dinner at Hillsboro American Legion at noon. Advance tickets $18 available at Hillsboro Hardware and American Legion.
Monday cemetery services
Pilsen Cemetery, 9:30 a.m. with full military honors by Gilbert Poppe American Legion Post 347 at Lincolnville.
Calvary Cemetery at Florence, 9:30 a.m. with military honors by American Legion Post 308.
Hillsboro Memorial Day services with military honors by American Legion Post 366 at Memorial Park, 10 a.m. Speaker will be Rep. Stephen Owens, special music will be patriotic songs by Rod Koons.
Cedar Point Cemetery, 10 a.m. with military honors by John McKay American Legion Post 308 and speaker Benny Holtzclaw.
Lewis Cemetery at Ramona, 10:30 a.m. with Clark Davis as speaker and special music by Becky Routh.
Lincolnville Cemetery, 10:30 a.m. with pastor Alan Roy Stahlecker as speaker and military salute by Gilbert Poppe American Legion Post 347.
Hillcrest Cemetery at Florence, 11 a.m. with military honors by John McKay American Legion Post 308 and speaker Jeff Davidson.
Last modified May 26, 2022