Free food, music to kick off Chingawassa Days
The Seventh Annual Chingawassa Days festival scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday would not be possible if it weren't for the generous donations from local businesses and the City of Marion, and the support from those who attend the festival.
Since its inception, local business owners, the City of Marion, the Marion Chamber of Commerce, and individuals have contributed to the festival with donations of cash, services, products, and labor.
The three local banks — Central National Bank, Marion National Bank, and Tampa State Bank — contribute by sponsoring specific events.
"These events add so much to the festival," said Gene Winkler, 2003 chairman. "The committee can't do it all, so it's great when a local business offers to do the event from start to finish."
Others who provide major events are St. Luke Hospital which provides an ice cream social, Midlands Farm Services/Scully Estates provides two games (boot race and money in the hay) and Deer Trail Implement, Inc., provides the pedal tractor pull. SBC (Southwestern Bell) sponsors the Friday night dance.
Each year, the committee strives to bring back favorites — the anvil shoot, karaoke contest, mules rides, — and tries to provide entertainment that might be different and unusual.
This year is no different.
Wildwest Gunfighters and the Abilene Fast Draw Club will be among the entertainers. After their entertainment segments, the audience will be given the opportunity to learn and participate.
The River City Spinners Yo-Yo Club will delight the audience with fetes of yo-yo wizardry while Alex Stuchlik and family will provide polka music.
The button admission of $25 covers everything including the concert, and $7 which is everything except the concert.
The $7 button includes a free barbecue meal, free ice cream, a dance, anvil shoot, wildwest gunfighters, bed races, and a variety of entertainment.
For $25, you have the opportunity to see a professional concert with a national recording musical group, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and a popular warm-up band, Synergy, that will perform before the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. This is in addition to all of the food, events, and entertainment provided with a $7 button.
Variety
Food vendors will offer a variety of items in the park including Navajo fry bread, brats, hamburgers, Kettle Korn, onion blossoms, stuffed peppers, and cinnamon roasted nuts as well as soft drinks and other beverages.
New to the festival will be a lawn chair check at the front gate. Those who come for the weekend may check their chairs each evening and pick them up the following morning.
The Lincolnville Girl Scouts also will provide a baby-sitting service.
Schedule
Weekend festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Friday evening with the Marion National Bank Chingawassa barbecue in Central Park. At 7 p.m. St. Luke Hospital will host an ice cream social.
The ever-popular karaoke contest begins at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage with cash prizes being offered in three categories — youth, adult, and novelty.
At 9 p.m. everyone is invited to dance to the sounds of the Soul Preachers from Salina. Sponsored by SBC, the dance will be by the main stage.
Marion Kiwanis Club will provide a pancake feed from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Pancakes, sausage, coffee, and juice will be available in the Kiwanis tent.
At 9 a.m. the tradition of Dynamite Wanda continues as professional anvil shooters demonstrate their skills by the basketball court at the south end of Central Park. The demonstration will occur again at 5 p.m.
A new feature this year is the remote control car racing which begins at 9:15 a.m. at the basketball court. Various categories will be offered as will preliminary time trials. A championship race begins at 3:30 p.m.
Wildwest Gunfighters bring a taste of the Old West at 9:45 a.m. with a shoot-out on Main Street.
Tampa State Bank's Bed Rock 'N' Run bed races begin at 10 a.m. with more than 10 teams entering the competition.
At 10:45 a.m. the Bubble Man will demonstrate "a little science and a little art" with bubbles on the chamber stage in front of the gazebo in the park.
Area youth from Vicky's School of Dance participate at 11:15 a.m. in a "mini recital" on the chamber stage.
At high noon, Wildwest Gunfighters settle the score with a full performance.
The Alex Stuchlik Polka Band will perform at noon and 3 p.m. on the gazebo stage.
Midlands Farm Services/Scully Estates boot race and "money in the hay" is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m. a favorite from the Kansas State Fair, the River City Spinners Yo-Yo Club will have a demonstration on the chamber stage. Club members will be on hand afterward to teach audience members yo-yo tricks.
At 2 p.m. the Abilene Fast Draw Club and Miles Miller, fast draw world champion, will perform. After the demonstration, audience members will have the opportunity to test fast draw skills.
The pedal tractor pull, sponsored by Deer Trail Implement Inc., will begin at 2:30 p.m. Registration for this event begins at 1:30.
The Central National Bank watermelon feed will take place at 3 p.m. in the Kiwanis tent. Bingo follows at 3:30 p.m.
Larry and Deana Olsen of Cottonwood Miniature Horses will have a demonstration at 3 p.m.
Once again Wildwest Gunfighters will fight to see who is the last man standing. See the final battle at 3:30 p.m.
Alternative rock bands Agent 5 Nine and Heads or Tails perform at 4 p.m. on Luta Creek Stage.
Other events occurring throughout the day include mule rides, rides and activities by Fun Time Amusements, a dunk tank, massage therapists, and games.
At 5:30 p.m. the park closes to prepare for the evening activities.
When the park reopens at 6 p.m. only those with concert buttons will be admitted.
Announcements from the main stage will precede the chain saw art auction at 6:30 p.m.
The popular band Synergy from Wichita will open the show at 7:15. Ozark Mountain Daredevils will perform at 9 p.m. Souvenirs and concessions will be available throughout the evening.
Sunday's activities begin with a continental breakfast of rolls, kolaches, juice, and coffee from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, sponsored by Marion Kiwanis Club.
The weekend's festivities end with a community worship service at 10 a.m.
Buttons still are available at Marion National Bank, Central National Bank in Marion and Hillsboro, Tampa State Bank, Carlsons' IGA, Marion Pharmacy, G&J Video, and Seacat Hardware or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-0055.
