By SALINA POST
Celebrate the Old West with the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair Sept. 25.
The majority of the activities will be in and around the Smoky Hill Museum, 211 W. Iron Avenue. The museum staff is striving to bring more history elements to all aspects of the day, so this year the event will shift entirely to an Old West format.
There is no entry cost for the street fair.
The day is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 25 with a parade on Santa Fe Avenue, beginning at Elm Street.
Then, around the museum, there will be Old West re-enactors roaming the street fair throughout the day, horseshoe tossing, roping, archery, blacksmithing, chili cook-off, free crafts to-go, caricaturists, and Color Me Crazy airbrush tattoos.
For $2, you can sample chili from six booths and vote for your favorite between noon and 1:30 p.m. The People’s Choice award and best decorated booth winners will be announced at 2 p.m. on the main stage.
This year's entertainment also will have an Old West theme and will include the following.
11 a.m.: Blue & Gray Brass, Traditional American Patriotic Music
Noon: Jeff Davidson, western music highlighting western history
1 p.m.: Serenity Stringband, blend of five veteran musicians based at the north end of the Chisholm Trail in Abilene
2:15 p.m.: Kitty Hamilton, historical performer, as Kittie Hays of the Santa Fe Road
3 p.m.: Blue & Gray Brass
Additionally, the museum gallery will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for everyone to enjoy the special exhibit, The Crossroads. In addition, there is the popular hands-on, interactive exhibit, The Curiosity Shop. For safety purposes, free timed-tickets will be handed out that day on the museum landing for entry into the museum, allowing no more than 25 people in every 20 minutes.
With the new guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment about mass gatherings of 500 or more people, museum staff has identified and implemented several changes to minimize risk to attendees without creating a highly restrictive atmosphere, according to information from the museum. It is strongly encouraged that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, practice social distancing and mask wearing.
“Most importantly,” said Susan Hawksworth, museum director, “we want this to be a safe event for the community. The decision to attend and participate in the street fair rests with each individual. Understanding the risks of participation is a personal decision. We hope each attendee will make responsible choices while considering themselves, their family, and the community.”
Go to https://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/street-fair/safety-considerations.html for a list of changes.
Watch the museum website, www.smokyhillmuseum.org, for the most up-to-date information about the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair.