Let them entertain you
Our Florence neighbors will celebrate their big community event this weekend. You ought to check it out. The three-day celebration begins Saturday with the "mother of all community-wide garage sales." I should warn you now, don't get in my way. I plan to be on the move, press pass in hand (to give me parking leverage, don't you know), and I plan to bag all the bargains.
I might note here that the Florence Library is planning a benefit breakfast at the Florentine Center beginning at 6 a.m. They will be serving until 10 a.m. so if you feel weak from all that bargain hunting, be sure to stop in there for breakfast.
Sand volleyball, cowboy polo, and a street dance downtown at dusk will round out the first day of the celebration. Since my athletic days are long behind me and the mister is not much of a dancin' fool, I will probably be at home listing my garage sale treasures on eBay. But, hey! You should go!
Sunday will feature a non-denominational community church service in Grandview Park followed by a potluck lunch. This is not just for members of the Florence community. I have it on good authority that they will welcome all Marion County sinners and back-sliders. In the afternoon, downtown Florence will be the site of a sidewalk art contest and a gospel concert, followed by an ice cream social. Topping off the day is the big fireworks show at Marion County Lake beginning at dusk.
Whew, and we haven't even gotten to Labor Day yet!
Monday will be jam-packed with events. There will be an arts and crafts fair, flea market, miniature train exhibit, horseshoe pitching contest, a flag raising ceremony at Veteran's Park, the parade, and an art show
The grand finale will feature Frankie Valens in concert and the famous Florence melodrama crew will perform "Snooty and the Beast."
In addition, there will be a car show and tons of food vendors waiting to tempt your palate. The museum and library will be open at various times and you can view their exhibits.
The Flint Hills Muzzleloaders will be on hand all three days, camped south of town. This is an excellent opportunity to show your youngsters what life was like in the second half of the 1800s. I saw their encampment last year for the first time and it was impressive.
So
— SUSAN MARSHALL
