Something for everyone
Western Wonderland is coming soon
By KRISTEN HOOPER
Director, Peabody Main Street Association
The Christmas season is just around the corner and along with it comes the excitement of getting together with family and friends, shopping for the perfect gift, and fondly remembering Christmases past. These shared memories are the foundation of this year's Peabody Main Street Association's Western Wonderland event scheduled for Dec. 2.
This all-day event includes activities for the entire family, young and old. The day will begin with Breakfast with Father Christmas from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at The Hub. Muffins and juice will be served as Father Christmas walks around and visits with the children.
There also will be crafts and games located in downtown businesses and Santa Fe Park throughout the day.
The Baptist Youth Group will be doing a puppet show at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at The Hub.
A free family photo opportunity is being provided at the Turkey Red building. Bring your cameras and come out to take your family holiday photo with a western Christmas background and an adult-sized wooden horse. This beautiful setting would complement any holiday card.
For adults we have a variety of activities including cooking and craft demonstrations by the local talents of Debbie McSweeney and Sara Pohlman.
McSweeney will demonstrate how to make sweet spiced nuts and white confetti fudge at the senior center beginning at 9:30 a.m. These candies are perfect for holiday gifts but can be enjoyed year round.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., Pohlman will provide a how-to demonstration on homemade holiday ornaments at the Turkey Red building. This easy craft is something the whole family can do together.
There are two special book signings — Deborah Raney and Jim Hoy at Jackrabbit Hollow. Raney, a Kansan herself, is an award-winning author of several novels, including "A Scarlet Cord" and the RITA award-winning "Beneath a Southern Sky." She will be available from 10 a.m. to noon.
Jim Hoy of Emporia has published more than 100 articles, both scholarly and journalistic, and is the author or co-author of nine books, including "Cowboy" and "Kansas: Stories from the Tallgrass Prairie." He is available from 1 to 3 p.m.
Mike Flavin and Mike Leonard will perform a short teaser program at 2 p.m. at the senior center. The program will feature live entertainment of cowboy poetry and country western music.
The Western Wonderland parade will begin at 4 p.m. and will open with "Aces and Six Guns," old west gunfighters heading the parade procession. After the parade these award-winning actors will perform a gun fight comedy appropriate for all ages downtown between First and Second Street.
Miss Kansas, Michelle Walthers of Towanda is the first grand marshal. Along with the parade will be multiple floats, horses, emergency service vehicles, the Peabody-Burns marching band, and more.
However, there is always room for more. If your organization, group, family, and friends are interested in participating in the parade, registration forms are available through the city's website. First, second, and third prizes of Peabody Bucks will be awarded to the top three participants who creatively utilized the western theme. The winners will be voted on by three parade judges.
Last but definitely not least, the parade will be the initial welcoming of Santa to Peabody. Santa will be available after the parade at the Turkey Red building to greet children and listen to their wish lists. The parade will travel on Walnut Street (Main Street) beginning at Seventh Street and ending on First Street.
The event doesn't end when the sun goes down! A youth dance will begin at 7 p.m. at The Hub, featuring DJ Scrats. Concessions will be served as usual. The dance ends at midnight.
Mike Flavin, Steve Helms, and Mike Leonard will be performing cowboy poetry and country western music at 7 p.m. at Peabody-Burns High School gym.
Flavin's passion for the guitar began as a teenager and throughout the years he has established a musical reputation playing in numerous local venues. A Newton area auctioneer for the past 28 years, Mike, his wife Deb and their children reside near Newton.
During the past 30 years, Steve Helms has performed in 49 states and 17 countries. He has opened for such acts as Willie Nelson, the Statler Brothers, and Merle Haggard. Steven's song "If I Make it Back to Dixie" set a record with the independent radio stations being on the charts for 26 weeks.
Mike Leonard has been writing and performing cowboy poetry for several years. He has performed his real life poems across the Midwest. In June 2004, he won both categories of serious and humorous poems at the Shepler's Cowboy Poetry Roundup during the Kansas Cowboy Symposium in Dodge City. Mike has lived in Walton since 1989.
Prior to the start of the show, winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest and Silent Wreath Auction will be announced. This is definitely an event you will not want to miss!
Wondering about food? That is covered too! The Peabody Historical Society will be serving soups of the season with homemade desserts at the Morgan House starting at 11 a.m. Good will donations accepted. Hot dogs and hamburgers for the buckaroos will be served in Santa Fe Park by the Baptist Youth Mission Group. Starting at 4:30 p.m. a chuck wagon supper will be served at the senior center. You'll enjoy the menu of no-bull roast beef, trail beans, open fire taters, Johnny cakes (cornbread), country cobbler, Cookey's coffee, tenderfoot tea, and spring water. While chowin' down you'll enjoy the musical talents of Jordan Riggs. Cost is $7.50 for adults or $6 with a Western Wonderland pin and $4 for children six and younger.
So come out and enjoy all that the day has to offer. This is something new and there is something for everyone. It is the hope of Peabody Main Street Association that this event will become an annual event providing you, your family, and friends an opportunity to make lots of fond memories.
Some events require a Western Wonderland pin or $3 at the door. Pins maybe purchased through downtown businesses, at the city building, or the Main Street office.
For more information about the event you may visit our website at www.peabodyks.com or call or e-mail Kristen Hooper at 620 983-2174, pmsa@peabodyks.com.
