×
×
homepage logo

Organizers plan to broaden offerings at Tonganoxie Days

By Shawn Linenberger - | Feb 12, 2003

Preparations for the city’s annual Tonganoxie Days festival continued with an organizational meeting Thursday.

Organizers for the city’s annual Tonganoxie Days festival presented new possibilities for activities in June — including an Air Force fly-by.

The fly-over is pending an application with the Department of Defense, but would be one of several possible additions for the 18th annual event, set for June 13-14. A balloon rally also is a possible attraction.

Last year, the longtime event moved to the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, but is back downtown for the bulk of activities. Commercial booths are expected downtown, along with possible exhibits from Kansas Speedway and Cabela’s.

Thursday’s meeting brought some ideas on getting more participation for an art day event June 14. Organizers would like to work with the elementary school on having students develop their art projects through school. Work would then be on display during Tonganoxie Days and entries could be auctioned.

“Surely the parent of a child would buy it,” Randy Marshall said with a laugh.

All residents also are encouraged to bring their own works for the art show.

Music will compliment the arts when Loose Gravel and the 312th Army Band’s concert and stage bands perform. Organizers would like to approach Tonganoxie High music director Charles VanMiddlesworth about his jazz band performing too.

Star Struck Dance Studio and Cowtown Cloggers are currently set to perform at the festival as well.

Tonganoxie Days won’t just stretch along Fourth Street downtown. Activities will branch off with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Chieftain Park. A bingo game and a moonwalk have been discussed for this year’s event, too.

Although the event could have many new attractions, standard activities still are on the schedule. The Friends of the Library 10K run, the Country Cruisers car show at VFW Park, an American Bikers Aimed Toward Education motorcycle show and the Sacred Heart Quilt Show are planned again this year, along with a mini-train ride.

“As for the standard events, they’re cooking right a long,” organizer Connie Torneden said.

Tour de Tongie, a bicycle stage race that took place last summer, won’t be a part of this year’s festivities. That event will take place in Missouri.