For Information regarding this year's special concert
featuring Michael Martin Murphey
with the Diamond W Wranglers, click
here!
~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Labor
Day 2008 Brochure download -- click
here!!
Saturday, August 30, 2008:
 City-Wide
Garage Sale~~
Beginning at 8:00 am, the citywide garage sales
begin. Maps will be available at the Information Booth located at
4th & Main and at local businesses by 8 am that morning. For more
information or to list your garage sale, contact Gaby Dye at 620-878-4741.
¤ Listing is free, compliments of the Florence Labor Day Organization.
1: 30 PM: “King of the Hill”
Soap Box Derby ~~
This Labor Day there will be an updated event for the kids of Marion
County to enjoy. The First Annual "King of The Hill" (5th
Street Hill) Soap Box Derby on Saturday, August 30. Please note new
location: 5th Street Hill. There will be four cars available for riders
between the ages of 8 - 10 years old. Due to age restrictions and
weight limits on these cars, it can only be used by those 8-10 years
old that are within the weight requirement as defined by the National
Soap Box Derby Association. The cars were constructed and painted
by a local volunteer group and are certified racers constructed from
kits provided by the National Soap Box Derby Association. If you want
to enter your own car you are free to do that or simply sign up and
drive one of ours (if age/weight requirements are met).
The winner of the soap box derby will be crowned "King of the
Hill ". Their name will be put on a trophy that will be on display
downtown. Each year following, the “King of the Hill”
winner will be added to the display trophy, along with a trophy the
winner may take home. The winner and his or her winning car will have
the honor of riding on a float in the 71st annual Labor Day Parade
celebrating their great victory! PLUS the winner will win a new Wii
game setup! That's right .............you could win a new Wii!!! Every
contestant will get a custom t-shirt and dog tag to commemorate the
event. Registration will be limited to only 30 drivers and each driver
will need a helmet, signed waiver (by their parents) and will be allowed
three runs down Fifth Street hill.
¤ This event is made possible through the Florence Labor Day
Organization with special recognition to Mr. John Swarm, who has worked
endless hours on this event, along with our business partner: Wray
Roofing.
Challenge yourself and the riders. It will be a fun event with lots
of exciting racing. Besides all the fun, you could be the very first
"King (or Queen) of the Hill"! Let's RIDE!
 4
PM: Kids Ranch Rodeo & Mutton Bustin’ ~~ Making Cowboy
(& Cowgirl) Dreams Come True! 6th Street Hill
(Pre-registration is at 3:30 pm) Come join McClain’s Mutton
Busters for some fun-filled family entertainment!! This event is FREE
for kids ages 4 and older. Participants for Mutton Bustin must meet
age/weight requirements. McClain’s have final approval of all
participants. Button admission is required for spectators. The Florence
Public Library will have refreshments for sale for your hungry or
thirsty cowhand! The Florence Labor Day is proud to have McClain’s
Mutton Busters return for their 5th year.
¤ Kids are able to participate through the generosity of our
business partners: Central National Bank, Doyle Creek Land & Cattle
Co., Harshman Construction Co., LLC, PrairieLand Partners and Rod’s
Tire & Service.
4:30 PM: Poker Run
Want to enjoy a scenic, relaxing drive through the Flint Hills of
Kansas, while playing a game of cards? Then this event is for you.
The perception is this event is strictly for motorcyclists –
not the case. Anyone (of legal driving age) can participate, whether
they drive a motorcycle, car or truck -- it doesn’t matter!
Starting point: Grandview Park. The first hand is $15, with each additional
hand $5. The option of purchasing a different card will be available
this year! Proceeds from this event benefit the County-Line 4-H Club.
¤ Special recognition to our business partner: Action Tents
& Party Rentals.
6 PM: Food booth sponsored and provided
by Florence Pride, Main Street
 8
PM: “JUSTUS” Band~~Street Dance, Main Street
Returning this year a local favorite: the “JUSTUS” Band.
They perform the very best of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s
Country and Rock. Bring your lawn chair, a dance partner and dance
to the music you’ve been waiting for! Labor Day Button required
for admission. NO GLASS BOTTLES OR COOLERS ALLOWED INTO VENUE.
¤ This event is sponsored in part by: Shear Success.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, August 31, 2008:
KCBS Sanctioned State Championship BBQ Cook-Off, 6th &
Main ~~ Aug. 31 & Sept 1
Sponsored in part by: Chuck Wagon Restaurant, Flint Hills BBQ, J &
B Tire Shop, Arlie’s Paint Body & Glass, High Plains Graphics,
Frostbite Ice Company, City of Florence, Marion Pharmacy Health Mart,
Edward Jones Investments, Spring Creek BBQ Co., Trace of Copper, John
North Ford, Doyle Creek Mercantile and Doyle Creek Land & Cattle
Co.
11 AM: Community Church Service, Grandview
Park
Churches within the community come together and offer a non-denominational
church service. A potluck meal follows. Families are asked to provide
a covered dish and table service. Florence Christian Church and Florence
United Methodist Church are providing this service.
 2
PM: Kids’ Bike Decorating Workshop, Ambulance Bldg.
Kids of all ages….bring your tricycles, bicycles, unicycles…..The
Florence Labor Day Organization will be providing all the supplies
you need to decorate your bicycle to ride in the Parade!! Come early
and get decorating! (Cash Awards given to the best-decorated bikes
following the parade. Compliments of the Florence Labor Day Organization).
3 PM: Sidewalk Chalk Art, Ambulance
Bldg.
All children ages preschool thru high school age may compete for cash
awards. Bring your creative side and decorate our sidewalk!
¤ Sponsored in part by: Town & Country Café.
4:30 PM: Gates Open for Western Music
Concert, 5th & Main, Food Vendors Open
Bring your advance concert ticket or buy one at the gate (if any remain)
and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime western music concert under the Kansas
stars! Don’t forget your lawn chair. Also, food vendors and
the Old-Fashioned Hog Roast will begin serving at this time as well.
(Additional cost incurred for meals, please plan accordingly).
6:30 PM: Diamond W Wranglers, 5th &
Main
8 PM: MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY, 5th & Main
For more specific information and tickets, CLICK
HERE!
Concert ticket required for admission for ages 11 and older, $4 Labor
Day Button for children 10 and younger. NO ALCOHOL OR SMOKING PERMITTED
IN CONCERT AREA. The Florence Labor Day Organization is not responsible
for lost buttons or concert tickets.
¤ A special thank you to our business partners who have worked
diligently with the Florence Labor Day Organization to make this concert
a reality: Clear Channel Outdoor, Cottonwood Valley Bank, Hoch Publishing
Co., The Wichita Eagle and Wray Roofing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, September 1, 2008:
8 AM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest, Unity
Park
A small entry fee and a good throwing hand (& your horseshoes)
are the only requirements needed to compete.
9 AM: Florence Library Board, serving
rolls/coffee. Florence Public Library
9:30 AM: Fine Arts Show ~ “Dust
Bowl in Kansas” and exhibits from the Chase County Art Guild,
Ambulance Bldg. The Florence Labor Day Organization is honored to
have a traveling display of the “Dust Bowl in Kansas”
from the Kansas Historical Society and exhibits by artists from the
Chase County Art Guild.
9:30 AM: Registration for Car Show,
location TBA
Have an antique car or one you have rebuilt that needs displayed and
some recognition? Contact Roger Steward (620-878-4348) or Reilly Reid
(620-878-4309) for a registration form. The entry fee is a suggested
$20 donation per car.
¤ Special thanks to our business partners: The Lumberyard,
Inc. and Western Associates.
10:30 AM: Flag Raising Ceremony, City
Bldg.
Marion High School and Marion Middle School Bands will perform our
annual flag raising ceremony under the direction of MHS band director,
Adam Johnson.
¤ Sponsored in part by: John McKay American Legion and Westar
Energy.
11 AM: 71st annual Florence Labor Day Parade
~ “Embrace the Prairie Spirit”
Parade line up: 10 am at the Football Field on West 8th. Parade route
will begin at 8th & Marion, east to Main, then south on Main to
4th.
Grand Marshals: FHS Class of 1958.
No ATVs, 4-wheelers or motorized go-karts will be allowed.
Awards in both Youth and Open Class: 1st Place: $125; 2nd Place: $100;
3rd Place: $75.
¤ Sponsored in part by: Carlsons’ Grocery, Doyle Creek
Mercantile, Hillsboro Free Press, Johnson’s General Store, Marion
Dry Cleaning & Laundry and Westar Energy.
NOON: Button Drawing, Main Stage
Buy a $4 Labor Day Button and enter a chance to win $136 Cash!! Must
be present to win button drawing. The Florence Labor Day Organization
is not responsible for lost buttons.
12:30 PM: Wichita Caledonian Pipes
& Drums, Main Stage
Experience the majestic sounds of the highland Pipe and Drum Band.
The Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drum band plays Scottish and Irish
music. It’s piping at its finest!
¤ Sponsored in part by: Doyle Creek Mercantile.
1 PM: Kids’ Games/Turtle Races,
Main Street
Kids ages preschool thru high school can participate in a running
race, the gunny sack race and they may even bring a box turtle for
the turtle race. Cash awards.
¤ Special thanks to our business partner: Town & Country
Café.
1 PM: Old-Fashioned Medicine Wagon
Show, Act I, Main Stage
A unique attraction, complete with performances done in character
of the old-time Snake Oil Salesman, along with demonstrations of Old
West Swindles, magic tricks and loads of audience participation. It’s
the perfect family entertainment!
¤ Special recognition to our business partners: Adrian and
Pankratz, P.A.
1:30 PM: Car Show Winners Announced,
4th & Main
1:30 PM: Countywide FFA Barnyard Olympics,
Main Street
Watch as local FFA members compete against each other in successfully
completing simple to complex farm tasks. Members from Peabody FFA,
Hillsboro FFA and the Marion-Florence FFA Chapter are scheduled to
compete for bragging rights and the trophy!! Hillsboro FFA won last
year – who will be able to “dethrone” them? Bring
your lawn chair, sit back and enjoy watching our youth demonstrate
their strength and skills!
¤ A special thanks to: Williams Service who are sponsors of
this event.
2:30 PM: Old-Fashioned Medicine Wagon
Show, Act II, Main Stage
A unique attraction, complete with performances done in character
of the old-time Snake Oil Salesman, along with demonstrations of Old
West Swindles, magic tricks and loads of audience participation. It’s
the perfect family entertainment!
¤ Special recognition to our business partners: Adrian and
Pankratz, P.A.
2:30 PM: Cow Chip Bingo, Spur Ridge
Vet Cattle Pens
3:30 PM: KCBS BBQ Cook-Off Winners
Announced, 6th & Main
3:30 PM: Old-Fashioned Medicine Wagon
Show, Act I, Main Stage
A unique attraction, complete with performances done in character
of the old-time Snake Oil Salesman, along with demonstrations of Old
West Swindles, magic tricks and loads of audience participation. It’s
the perfect family entertainment!
¤ Special recognition to our business partners: Adrian and
Pankratz, P.A.
4 PM: Wichita Chorus, Sweet Adelines International,
Main Stage
The Wichita Chorus, Sweet Adelines, will converse on our stage to
perform a special selection of western songs especially arranged for
our celebration. Take time to enjoy this event with your family! ¤
Sponsored in part by: Round Oak Antiques.
Ice Cream Social will follow the Sweet Adelines concert.
All 3 Days!!!
-- National Guard Units from Emporia and Newton.
-- Mountain Men Rendezvous
 Email
Labor Day Committee
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