Put on your boots and hat and cowboy up, buckaroos, for Melvern’s first Cowboy Up Day, to be held Saturday, Sept. 14. A fun-filled day of community events is planned as a fundraiser for the Melvern Community Center, which is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.
The day’s activities begin at 7 a.m. at the chuck wagon, with biscuits and gravy served at Melvern City Hall; sponsored by the True Grace Community Church. Following breakfast will be the Cowboy Olympics, a series of Western-themed games and time events for adults and kids, with awards given for winners. The Cowboy Olympics will be held in the city park, and an awards ceremony will be at Melvern Community Center at 12:30 p.m.
Also downtown, starting at 10 a.m., will be a classic car show and kids’ bike decorating contest. There is no registration fee for the car show or bike contest, and all car and bike owners are invited to participate. The cars will be displayed on the east side of Melvern’s Main Street. Prizes will be awarded. For more information about the car show, contact Gaylene Zier-Ryan at 785-338-0103.
Starting at 11 a.m., the chuck wagon will set up at Melvern Community Center, with Melvern Pride serving smoked, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and “fixin’s”. Also at the community center will be a silent auction hosted by Melvern Pride, with a variety of gift certificates and merchandise from local businesses. All funds raised will benefit the community center.
At 2:30 p.m. a demolition derby will get under way northeast of Marais des Cygnes Valley High School, on High Street. Classes for the derby include Hobo Class, 1980 and newer; Older Hobo, older than 1980; compact vehicle class; and a lawn mower class in which kids and adults are eligible to compete. Games for little buckaroos are planned during intermissions in the arena. As this is a new event for Melvern, demolition derby organizers are waiving entry registration fees, but the car and driver fee is $35, mower fee is $20, a pit pass is $15, and general admission is $8. For more information about the demolition derby, contact Barry Brown at 785-438-7153.
The evening fun begins with boot scootin’ at 8 p.m. with a street dance and beer garden in front of the Melvern Community Center. The dance will be deejayed by Jim Newman, who will provide a variety of dance music.
For more information about Cowboy Up Day in Melvern, contact Zier-Ryan at 785-338-0103.
