Temporary art soon will complement the local works later this week.

Tonganoxie Arts Council sponsored board painting days at Tonganoxie Recreation Commission and Tonganoxie Community Historical Society Museum for anyone who wanted to paint. The 250th anniversary was the theme. TAC organizer Keyta Kelly said there were three different sessions and participants were evenly split between adults and youths.

In total, 42 boards adorn light poles in the downtown district along Fourth Street. The sessions were open to anyone in the community who wanted to come paint with the “Celebrate 250 years” theme in mind in honor of America’s semiquincentennial.

“Everyone interpreted it in their own way,” Kelly said.

There are a couple boards that were brought back out from a previous session, but nearly all of the boards represent the patriotic theme.

Visitors to downtown can check out the boards through much of the summer. TAC members will take them down Sept. 1 and keeping and then auction them off at the Tongie Split fireworks event later in September at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. The annual fireworks event has become a Tonganoxie Recreation Commission tradition. Kelly said TAC will have the bass band The Overtones performing at the event as well.

Sidewalk chalk art competition

This year’s Tonganoxie Days will have an added art element.

TAC and Community National Bank are sponsoring a sidewalk chalk competition on Saturday. There are three different categories: two youth divisions and another for teenagers and adults 16 and older combined.

Kelly said about half of the participants are from Tonganoxie. More adults than youths registered in the inaugural year, with some participants also haling from Kansas City, Kan., Kansas City, Missouri, Topeka and Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

The event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday on Fourth Street sidewalks, but artists can come the night before to start getting their pavement canvasses laid out. They’ll then have until 2 p.m. to complete their masterpieces before CNB employees judge the works from 2-3 p.m. The entries will all be done in the 500 block of Fourth Street.

“If the weather holds out, they can stay for a few days,” Kelly said about the artwork. “it’s temporary art.”

Kelly encourages artists to incorporate the lay of the sidewalks into their works, if needed.

“If you’re painting the Liberty Bell, you might want that crack,” Kelly said.

She noted that business owners have been notified of the competition and there will be room to walk without pedestrians disturbing the chalk art.

Winners will be announced outside Kelly Law Office, 512 E. Fourth St.

Each artist will be getting a 48-piece pastel set but they also are encouraged to bring own temporary chalk.

In addition, Community National Bank will be presenting winners with cash prizes.

Tonganoie Days schedule

Saturday

7:30 a.m.

• Tonganoxie Library Run/Walk (Start and end near library. Packet pickup Friday, 6-7 p.m. at library or 6:30 a.m. Saturday before race)

8:30-9:30 a.m.

• Yoga (Chieftain Park. Bring a mat)

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Bounce houses, face painting, carnival games and more (Delaware Street)

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Tongaoxie Street Art Competition (500 block of Fourth Street. Judging 2-3 p.m.)

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• VFW Car Show (VFW Park)

• Mini golf and inflatable dartboard (Gallagher Park area)

• Hoops Pop-a-Shot (Gallagher Park area)

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Tonganoxie Street Art Competition (500 block of Fourth Street. Judging 2-3 p.m.)

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Craft vendors (Fourth Street)

9 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Food vendors (Throughout festival)

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Pony rides and petting zoo (downtown area)

11:30 a.m.

• Performances by The Dance Element (Gallagher Park)

1-4 p.m.

• Tonganoxie Recreation Commission Summer Kickoff (Chieftain Park)

3 p.m.

• Performances by Bailey’s School of Dance (Gallagher Park)

5-6 p.m.

• Bob Freeman and Dan Hermeck on Mandolin (Gallagher Park)

6:30-7:30 p.m.

• Bonfire Blues Band (Gallgaher Park)

8-10 p.m.

• Chris Stewart and Band (Gallagher Park