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Community Events
Published 5/2/2012
A list of some of the major community events being planned in and around Garden City and southwest Kansas in 2012:
1
Laurie Sisk/Telegram Dancers from Garden City High School entertain guests at the annual Tet Celebration at Fiesta Courtyard.
2
Brad Nading/Telegram Alfonso Aldana, left, dances with his mom, Maria, in the El Remedio parking lot on Mother's Day as one of the bands plays in the background during the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in May 2011.
3
Brad Nading/Telegram Kathy Guerrero, right, and Florene Romesburg clap and cheer as the Senior Center Line Dancers perform in September 2011 on Main Street during FallFest.
4
Brad Nading/Telegram Jack Kline, center, moves a steak from a grill to a pan so Sharon Bacon, left, can smother it with butter in June 2011 during the annual Beef Empire Days Roto-Mix Cattlemen's Steak Cookout under the grandstands at the Finney County Fairgrounds.
5
Brad Nading/Telegram Grady Hammer, 12, Wallace, looks over a set of steers from inside a pen as another pair of participants sit on one of the pen's rails in June 2011 during the Beef Empire Days livestock judging event at the Finney County Fairgrounds.
6
Brad Nading/Telegram Members of Fireflight perform in August 2011 on the north stage of the Tumbleweed Festival during a Christian rock concert. The Christian rock band was followed by the band Thousand Foot Krutch.
7
Brad Nading/Telegram Stephen Brown turns a lever to get gears and pulleys moving on a piece of Randy Haggard's art work in September 2011 at Stevens Park during Art in the Park.
May
Cinco de Mayo
When: On or around May 5
Where:Garden City
What:Cinco de Mayo is the remembrance of the Mexican militia's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Garden City's Mexican-American community marks the occasion with a celebration around May 5.
It began about 20 years ago, when Juan Andrade, owner of El Remedio Market, 1005 E. Fulton St., decided to have a celebration at his market. And the event has grown from there, with hundreds of people filling the El Remedio parking lot to listen to live Mexican music, watch folkloric dancers and dance, socialize and enjoy Mexican food and games.
Satanta Days
When: May 12
Where: Satanta
What: Satanta Day is a day-long celebration, held the second Saturday of May each year. The day is packed with activities, including a two-mile fun run, parade, barbecue, golf tournament, carnival, craft show, car show, all-school reunion and dinner, and dances.
Beef Empire Days
When: May 30 through June 11
Where: Garden City
What: In its 44th year, Beef Empire Days will celebrate the beef industry this year with the theme "Make Mine Beef!". This year's nearly two-week long celebration offers up nearly 30 events geared to the cattle feeding industry, the arts and humanities, sports and entertainment.
Beef Empire Days is a time to educate people about, as well as celebrate, the beef industry. The schedule includes many industry-related events, like livestock judging contests and a steer trial auction. Yet there also are activities for the whole family, including a parade, a carnival, entertainment, sporting events and plenty of meal opportunities to enjoy beef as the main course.
On the Web: www.beefempiredays.com
June
Beef Empire Days P.R.C.A. Rodeo
When: June 7 through 10
Where: Grandstand Arena, Finney County Fairgrounds in Garden City
What: Korkow Rodeos will be back in Garden City this summer to serve as stock contractor for the 2012 Beef Empire Days P.R.C.A. Rodeo, where some of the world's finest rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will converge for a four-day competition at the Finney County Fairgrounds Grandstand Arena. A third generation rodeo producer and stock contractor, Korkow Rodeos has been producing rodeos for more than 60 years. The Korkow family's "A-Team" stock has been selected by the top cowboys to buck at every National Finals Rodeo since the rodeo's inception in 1959 — a claim only two other stock contractors can make.
July
Finney County Fair
When: July 26 through 28
Where: Finney County Fairgrounds
What: Contests, food and entertainment abound at the Finney County Fairgrounds during the fair. Throughout the three-day celebration, 4-H students compete to have the top dog, or to be the best in horse showing, photography, clothing, baking and other events.
Meanwhile, those attending the fair can find a plethora of food while they enjoy carnival rides and events like concerts, a demolition derby and a kids' pedal pull contest.
On the Web: www.finneycountyfair.org
Contact: 272-3844
August
Southwest Kansas Pro-Am
When: Aug. 6 through 11
Where: Buffalo Dunes Golf Course and the Golf Club at Southwind, Garden City
What: The annual golf tournament, in its 33rd year, brings professional and amateur golfers together to raise thousands of dollars for the Newborn Intensive Care and Pediatric units at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. The almost week-long event includes a Ladies Pro-Am, as well as professional and amateur tournament play.
On the Web: www.southwestkansasproam.org
Contact: Beth Koksal, coordinator — 272-2530 or elizabethkoksa@catholichealth.net
Tumbleweed Festival
When: Aug. 25 through 26
Where: Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City
What: Musicians and performers from near and far come to Lee Richardson Zoo for this weekend festival. The event features music and entertainment for adults, as well as storytellers, puppeteers, magicians and arts and crafts to entertain the kids. More information is available at www.tumbleweedfestival.com or by calling Kathy Friesen at (620) 290-1011.
September
Wild Affair
When: Sept. 8
Where: Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City
What: A fundraiser event for the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, the event features food from various local restaurants, as well as live and silent auctions.
Community Mexican Fiesta
When: Sept. 8
Where: Garden City
What: In the early 1900s, Hispanic immigrants came to the Garden City area to work in the sugar-beet fields and on the railroad. As a way to bring their community together and preserve part of their cultural tradition, they organized the first Mexican Fiesta in the early 1920s. Fiesta is a celebration of the day the battle for independence from Spain began on Sept. 16, 1810. Fiesta is now celebrated on the weekend nearest that date. Activities include a queen pageant on Friday, and then a parade down Main Street followed by food, music, dancing and festivities in Stevens Park and a community dance on Saturday.
Art in the Park/Fall Fest/Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 15
Where: Stevens Park, Garden City
What: An arts and crafts lover's dream, Art in the Park has been moved to September to coincide with Fall Fest and Oktoberfest. Art in the Park is hosted by the Sandhills Art Association. The event, which began in 1969, draws selected artists from around the region to show their wares in painting, jewelry making, woodworking, metal working, candle making and more. The event, which also features food booths and activities, is a fundraiser for Sandhills' scholarship fund. For more information, call 260-9700. The Fall Fest is part of the celebration that includes the Knights of Columbus Oktoberfest and Downtown Vision's Fall Fest event in Garden City.
Grant County Home Products Dinner
When: Sept. 18
Where: Civic Center, 1000 W. Patterson Ave.,Ulysses
What: The 50th Annual Grant County Home Products Dinner, organized by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, will feature locally produced and prepared food for only $7 per person. Each year, dignitaries, the people of Grant County, and people from all over Western Kansas gather at the Civic Center for the annual dinner, where approximately 1,500 people will be served. This year's featured speaker is Judge Tommy Webb from Sublette.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: Sept. 21 through 23
Where: Garden City, Finney County Fairgrounds
What: After a one-year hiatus, the Hot Air Balloon Festival returns for its eighth year, only now it's been moved from its previous date in late August to late September. The Garden City Hot Air Balloon Festival features balloon launches throughout the weekend and opportunities for the public to ride or help with a launch. The event is sponsored by the Finney County Convention Tourism Bureau.
Whimmydiddle Arts and Crafts Fair
When: Sept. 24
Where: Scott City Park in Scott City.
What: Whimmydiddle Arts and Crafts Fair comes to Scott City Park on the last Saturday of every September. One of the largest craft shows in Western Kansas, this event features more than 200 exhibitors from across the United States who arrive with original art, metal working, pottery and crafts in wood, fabric, jewelry, silk and dried flowers. The Whimmydiddle also offers a variety of tempting food concessions to entice visitors to indulge themselves.
October
Boo! at the Zoo
When: Oct. 20
Where: Lee Richardson Zoo
What: The zoo takes on a spooky atmosphere for this trick-or-treating event for area children. Local businesses and organizations set up booths to distribute treats for Boo! at the Zoo, which in recent years has attracted several thousand people. Proceeds go to the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, which helps fund zoo improvements.
Western Kansas Antique and Craft Show
When: Oct. 27
Where: Finney County Fairgrounds Exhibition Building
What: Crafters and collectors will gather for this 42nd edition of the show. It features nearly everything from antique crockey and furniture to old comic books and candles. Don't forget the fresh baked breads. Vendors come from across southwest Kansas and adjacent states.
Veterans Day Parade
When: Nov. 11
Where: Downtown Garden City
What: More than 53 area businesses, schools and churches traditionally take part in this patriotic parade that marks the official end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, Congress in 1954 designated the day Veterans Day to honor all veterans of United States wars.
Stevens Park Tree Lighting
When: Nov. 24
Where: Stevens Park, Garden City
What: A week after volunteers hang Christmas lights on the many trees around Stevens Park, the lights are flipped on for the first time at a celebration that also includes entertainment and refreshments. More information is available from Beverly Schmitz Glass at Garden City Downtown Vision Inc., 276-0891.
Santa's Christmas Carnival
When: Dec. 1 and 2
Where: Finney County Exhibition Building
What: Children can enjoy carnival rides and games, plus photos with Santa Claus, at this two-day carnival at the Finney County Fairgrounds. The event includes food and prizes. More information is available from the Garden City Recreation Commission at 276-1200.
Tuba Christmas and Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 8
Where: Downtown Garden City
What: The celebration in downtown Garden City will begin in the afternoon with Tuba Christmas, in which area tuba or euphonium players gather on Grant Avenue to perform holiday music.
The festivities continue through the evening, when decorated floats and vehicles light up Main Street during the annual Christmas Parade.
More information is available from Beverly Schmitz Glass at Garden City Downtown Vision Inc., 276-0891.
Tet celebration
When: January/February, 2013
Where: Garden City
What: An event that marks the start of the new year in Vietnam, Tet is also like a birthday and Thanksgiving celebration. It's a time for Vietnamese people to give thanks for the people in their lives and remember their ancestors.
A Tet celebration lasts several days, and its timing is based on the lunar calendar. A cultural gathering with food and dancing falls close to this time in Garden City.
GCCC Endowment Auction
When: April 5
Where: Finney County Exhibition Building
What: One of the more popular, and well-attended, one-night events of the year, the auction raises funds for GCCC student scholarships.Hundreds of items are available in the event's silent auction, which starts early in the evening and is followed by the main live auction. For more information, call 276-9578.
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