Labor Day festivities begin Saturday
Labor Day festival in Florence is ready to go, starting Saturday and continuing throughout the holiday.
Purchase of a $3 button is required for admission to some activities. Lawn chairs are recommended for all outdoor events.
Staff members wear gold T-shirts. Those with questions or comments during the festival should contact them.
Saturday
Activities begin early Saturday with a benefit breakfast for Florence Library. The meal is at the senior center from 6 to 10 a.m.
Citywide garage sales start at 8 a.m. Maps will be available at area merchants and at the Labor Day information booth, Fifth and Main.
Sand volleyball tournaments at Eighth and Barker start at 10 a.m. with the amateur division and 1 p.m. with the skilled division.
Flint Hills Muzzleloaders will set up all three days
Harvey House Museum will be open noon through 5 p.m.
Cowboy polo starts at 7 p.m. and will be held at Sixth and Barker.
The FFA Barnyard Olympics originally scheduled for Saturday have been moved to Monday.
Main Street closes for a street dance starting at 9 p.m. Music and lights will be by DJ Doctors. The dance ends at midnight. No glass containers are allowed. Concessions will be available.
Sunday
Sunday activities open at 11 a.m. with a non-denominational community church service in Grandview Park, followed by a community potluck at noon. Those attending should bring a covered dish and table service. Drinks are provided.
The library 80th anniversary open house is from 4 to 6 p.m.
The sidewalk art contest is at 4:30 p.m. on the west side of Main.
A concert by Testimony Quartet is held at 6:30 p.m. downtown followed by an ice cream social in the American Legion Building.
Fireworks follow at dusk at Marion County Lake.
Monday
Monday is the main event day.
Registration for the arts and crafts show and flea market starts at 7 a.m. in the library. The market opens at 9 a.m.
Horseshoe pitching contest starts at 8 a.m. in Unity Park. Registration for the car show starts at 8 and continues to 9:30 a.m.
A miniature train exhibit will be on display in the ambulance building starting at 9 a.m. An art show opens in the building at 11 a.m.
"Faces on the Wall," a tribute to Kansans killed in the Vietnam War, will be on display downtown between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The flag-raising takes place at 10:30 a.m. at Fourth and Main, accompanied by music by the Marion High School marching band.
The parade starts promptly at 11 a.m. Theme is "Hats Off to the Red White and Blue."
Following the parade, a drawing will be held at the announcer's stage. Each commemorative button sold has a number on the back. If that number is called, the owner receives $130.
Celebrations carnival rides will operate from noon to 4 p.m. in the lot across from the post office. Wristbands are available for $6 in advance at Florence Market, or $8 day of event.
At 12:30 p.m. a medical helicopter from Midwest Lifeteam will land at Sixth and Barker. Crew members will show equipment and answer questions.
Dynamite Wanda's anvil shoots are set for 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at West Third.
Kids' games start at 2 p.m. Car show prizes are awarded at the announcer's stage.
Cow chip bingo starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Florence Veterinary Clinic livestock pens.
A backseat driving contest starts at 3 p.m. on Main.
Concert
Monday closes at the auditorium on Seventh Street. Buttons are required for admission. Concessions will be available.
Frankie and Phyllis Valens perform at 5 p.m.
Frankie Valens had hits such as "This Magic Moment," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and "She Cried." He also performed in movies including "Ice Castles" and "Every Which Way But Loose."
He performed at the festival two years ago.
Phyllis Valens is an accomplished concert pianist.
Immediately following the concert will be the melodrama "Snooty and the Beast."
