Kansas Day Celebration to feature Chisholm Trail Anniversary

The Kauffman Museum will celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail during its annual Kansas Day Celebration on Saturday, January 28th at the museum in North Newton.

The event will feature a live longhorn, music, square dancing demonstrations, a cowboy and cowgirl parade, indoor and outdoor crafts, activities and demonstrations.

Celebrate Kansas Day begins at 11 a.m. with an hour-long presentation in Krehbiel Auditorium at Bethel College entitled “Head ‘Em Up & Move ‘Em Out,” by Jim Gray, executive director of the National Drovers Hall of Fame. Gray’s presentation is free.

All Fired Up BBQ food truck will sell food items following Gray’s presentation, beginning at noon.

From 1-4 p.m., Kansas Day activities will be held at the nearby Kauffman Museum. The family-friendly event is also free. Special demonstrations and activities include:

• 1:15 p.m.: Square dancing demonstration by Circle Eight Square Dance Club
• 2:15 p.m.: “The Chisholm Cattle Trail: The Rest of The Story,” a presentation by Gary and Margaret Kraisinger
• 3:15 p.m.: Gospel and traditional bluegrass tunes by Jammin’ Biscuits
• 3:45 p.m.: Cowboy and cowgirl parade – wear your best Western wear or make a vest at the museum

Indoor activities offered throughout the afternoon include knot making, cattle “stamp”ede, cowboy card toss, trick ropes, horse gear and tack display, “back in the saddle” photo op, a storytelling corner and “Memory Matters” handwriting activity.

Ongoing outdoor activities will include a walk on the actual Chisholm Trail with Brian Stucky, Wild West ropin’, cowpie tic-tac-toe, live longhorns, popcorn popping, a Native American teepee, blacksmith demonstration by Bill Moffitt, rope making, rope splicing, corn shelling, Dutch oven cooking demonstration, wagon rides with Country Boys Carriage and old-fashioned schoolyard games.

The event will also include a bake sale featuring homemade baked goods and a silent auction of antiques and collectibles, including six Remington paintings in color-artist’s proofs (1906), two antique revolvers dating from the turn of the century, a pair of antique cowboy spurs and a set of 16 U.S. National Park Service pamphlets (1930-1931).

Special Chisholm Trail anniversary merchandise will be available for purchase in the museum’s gift shop, while supplies last.

The Kauffman Museum is located on the campus at Bethel College at 27^th and North Main in North Newton.

For more information call the museum at 316-283-1612 or the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 316-284-3642 or go to tonewton.com/kansas-day.html.