By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The 3-day Labor Day weekend is nearly here. In Hoisington, that means one of the busiest weekends of the year. The 126th Annual Labor Day Celebration kicks off Friday night at 5 p.m. with the community barbecue.
This year's barbecue moves indoors to the air-conditioned city auditorium. Go inside and watch the Hoisington Cardinal football team via livestream as they open the season at Hesston at 7 p.m. The meal will include pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, and homemade cookies for $10. A beer garden will be open from 5 p.m. to closing time around 9 p.m.
Saturday features a full day of events, including the BBQ Championship, which will run most of the day. Community garage sales begin at 8 a.m., and various activities at the Kid Stop at the Hoisington Activity Center run from 9 a.m. to noon. The poker run begins at noon. Saturday evening, the Cates CarQuest Thunder in the Wetlands Cruise Night begins at 6 p.m., and the Weee Entertainment carnival also begins at 6 p.m. Stick around for the free fireworks after dark.
Sunday's events begin with helicopter rides at the high school starting at 11 a.m. The demolition derby fires up at 1 p.m. Sunday night's live music includes a pair of returning acts. Jadynce Jean takes the stage at 8 p.m., followed by Homebrew.
"Jadynce is a local girl from Great Bend," said Chamber Director Karen Baldyga. "She has ties to Hoisington - her mom grew up in Hoisington. She has a lot of relatives here, and she has an absolutely stunning voice. She opened up for our act last year on Saturday night and was a huge hit, so we decided to bring her back for this year."
The cost for the street dance is $10 or $5 for those 20 years of age and younger. The beer garden will be open all evening, serving adult beverages, water, and soda. Coolers are not allowed at the street dance, and no beverages can be taken in or out of the event.
"Bring your lawn chairs," Baldyga said. "We will not have picnic tables out there this year, so please bring your lawn chairs to come and sit and enjoy or get up and dance."
Monday's Kids Parade begins at 10:10 a.m. with the big parade to follow at 10:30. The Knights of Columbus will host its meal after the parade, and Hoisington's downtown will be filled with cars for the Barnard Tire and Auto Car Show and the Art Car Show and Tell events happening after the parade.