“I’m usually thinking about it 365 days out of the year,” Torneden said. “I go to other shows. It’s kind of a perpetual thing with me.”

With Tonganoxie Days in the back of her mind, Torneden attends other events for ideas. Organizers have meetings starting in January after invitations are sent to vendors in October or November. The early mailing is to beat the Christmas rush and for vendors to plan out their upcoming year, Torneden said.

“Vendor money starts coming in around December and it builds from there,” she said.

Various arts and crafts vendors will be on hand for Tonganoxie Days on June 8 at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. A beauty pageant sponsored by Star Struck Dance Center will be judged on June 7.

In previous years, Tonganoxie Days took place downtown, but will move to the fairgrounds for most of this year’s event June 8. The annual car show will stay at VFW Park, while the barbecue contest will again be held at the fairgrounds.

A youth Ferris wheel, along with a quilt show sponsored by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar Society, will be new additions this year. The demolition derby, the pet parade and monster truck show have left the lineup this year.

Cowtown Cloggers, Lee’s Summit, Mo., will perform at the park and fairgrounds. And Tim Clarrey, an Edwardsville native and semifinalist on “Ed McMahon’s Star Search,” will perform at the fairgrounds. Billy Spears, Lawrence, and his band will play at a dance Saturday night. Funds raised will be donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post to help complete the interior of their new post home at VFW Park.

Money will be raised for Friends of the Library with the annual Tonganoxie Days 10K-5K runs and 5K Fun Walk. The 2002 race will follow a course from the Tonganoxie Public Library, Third and Bury Streets, to County Road 5 north under the U.S. Highway 24-40 bridge.