“I think I’m always looking for things, whether it be entertainment, whether I go somewhere and see a vendor and let them know about Tonganoxie Days,” said Connie Torneden, the festival’s organizer.

This year’s Tonganoxie Days — the 29th installment of the event — will warm up Friday with teams setting up at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds for the barbecue contest.

On Saturday, the Tonganoxie Public Library Run for the Books 5K will start early with a 7:30 a.m. race.

Mrs. Kansas Sissy Hoegler will give the welcome, and Tiny Miss Kansas Emily Quisenberry will have a booth.

Vendors will open up shop at 9 a.m. throughout downtown Tonganoxie.

“We’ve got people from the Congregational Church clear to Flashbacks,” Torneden said about the vendors.

There also will be a bounce house, beanbag toss and other games for children.

“We’re hoping for a good day, and the 4-H is going to have a petting zoo again,” Torneden said.

There are five musical acts — Good Sam Band, Stranger Creek Band, the Roz Trio, Jami Amber Lynne and Mike Warehime — that will perform at different times throughout the day.

Roving magician Bob Phillips will be in the downtown area from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Graves Talent dancers will perform from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Other highlights are the American Legion Post 41’s Flag Day ceremony at noon downtown, which also is the start time for barbecue judging.

Skeet Real Estate will have an open house from noon to 4 p.m. at 1014 Front St., while the car and truck show will run all day at VFW Park.

Though many Tonganoxie Days activities will conclude at 4 p.m., a new event gets started at 4:30 p.m.

Amateur ATV/motorcycle races will start at that time at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.

Torneden is looking forward to the added activity, but ultimately just has one request — cooperative weather. “Just so it’s dry,” Torneden said. “That’s the main thing.”