2024 Schedule of Events

PARTICIPATORY ACTIVITIES 

“Spike it Rich 1” Medallion Hunt 
First clue will be given Monday, May 23 on Katy Days Festival Facebook page, katydays.com and KLKC V93.5 FM 

“Spike it Rich 2” 
One-day Medallion Hunt in Forest Park only Saturday, May 28 
Clues will be given on “Katy Days Festival” facebook page only Both Medallion Hunts generously sponsored by Bowen Pharmacy

NEW!  Frisbee Golf Tourney! 
“ Katy Days Open” at Tolen Creek Park. 
Saturday, 5/21 (week BEFORE Katy Days) Check in - 8-9am; 
Players Meeting - 9:10am Tee Off - 9:30am (Link to poster on website) https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Katy_Days_Open_2022 

Lions Club Horseshoe Tournament
$20 per team - or $10 single Registration 8:00am Saturday.  
Play starts 8:30am Forest Park - east side.  

Elks Club Bean Bag Toss Tournament
$20/team 
Registration - new location by Stone Shelter House 

FOOD   
Homemade Pies!  The same delicious pies you know and love are available again!  They will be served in “to go” containers off the south patio of the Recreation Center. 10am to 5pm (or sell out)   

Food Vendors - A variety to choose from throughout the park all weekend: Aunt Julie’s Donuts * Divine Kitchen * Fun Time Concessions * Happy Foods * Kandy’s Koffee * Keck’s Root Beer * Linda’s Lemonade * Ma’s Noodles * Main Course * Mike’s Amusement * Mountain Man * Outsider Tacos * Perry’s Pork Rinds * Snow Flakes Shaved Ice*     

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
All FREE unless noted 

“Pancake Special” Miniature Train Rides 
Friday 3-8 and Saturday 9-8 Board at the Kiwanis Play Park Sponsored by Union Pacific RR  


“Katy Days Express” Rubber-Wheeled Train (for small children only) Friday 3-7 and Saturday 10-7 Board in front of Swimming Pool Thanks to Baugher Implement

Children & Youth Attractions 
Fri 3-9, Sat 10-10 (times?) Wristbands available for purchase next to Info Booth $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $20 both days Dollar tickets also available, each ride varies in cost  

Kids’ Crossing Area SW corner of park by the Caboose 3-7 Friday, 9-5 Saturday Explore the Curious Minds Mini Museum, Crafts, Games, Face Painting.  Organized by Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Parsons Public Library, My Family Labette and Parents as Teachers  

Old Time Office - Rotary dial phones, adding machines, manual typewriters…have some fun with the way things used to be!   

John Hare, born in Parsons and graduate of PHS, illustrator and author will join us on the Saturday of Katy Days, May 28th (10am-5pm). John has written several delightful and imaginative “Field Trip” books where a group of school children visit the moon, the bottom of the ocean and in his latest, the students explore a volcano. Kindergarten through second grade students in the Parsons school system have been exposed to at least two of these books and everyone will have an opportunity to meet and visit with John at Katy Days. He will also have books for sale and will demonstrate painting.
If you would like to learn more about John and see more of his work, here is his website: http://john-hare.squarespace.com/
Books:
Field Trip to the Moon
Field Trip to the Ocean Deep
Field Trip to Volcano Island
A Mouthful of Minnows (released May 10, 2022)
Samantha Graven - Parsons Public Library
Becky

Shriner Clowns Making & sharing balloon characters, mixed with a bit of magic! North sidewalk Friday 6-8, Saturday 10-5   

Petting Zoo South of playground equipment Friday 3-8, Saturday 9-5  

Play on military equipment, shoot with lasers, get your own “dog tags” Friday 3-7, Saturday 9-5  

Pony Rides! 
Friday & Saturday   

GENERAL INTEREST

Quilt Show is back!!! 
Saturday 9-5 
Arvon Phillips Recreation Center   

Crafts Fair 
Friday afternoon 3-8, Saturday 9-5 
A variety of crafts and home-based businesses Throughout the park

Friday, May 24th

5:30pm - 10:30pm 
5:45pm
6:00pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
9:00pm - 10:30pm

Saturday, May 25th

10:00am - 11:00am
11:00am 12:00pm
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm
2:00pm - 3:00pm
5:30pm - 10:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
9:00pm - 10:30pm

Beer Garden
Opening Ceremony
Katy Days Parade
Stone Country
Jadtnce Jean



Tumble & Cheer
Dance
Viking Color Guard & Dance
Disney Princesses
Katy Band
Beer Garden
Change of Heart
Van Hager

KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT TENT
In Honor of Dennis Wilson 
Dennis was a school superintendent, a science teacher, a magician, father, grandfather, husband, and all around wonderful person. Unfortunately, he was one of the very first people in Kansas whose life was cut short by the COVID virus in 2020. Katy Days was lucky to have had him first as a performer and later as both performer and coordinator of the children’s entertainment tent. His sense of humor, his obvious delight in performing and his skill as a magician thrilled hundreds of kids and adults throughout the years. Thanks for your service Dennis. We miss you.

Friday: Jacqueline Johnson has been singing most of her life - in church, the school choir, in competitions, and even behind the bar at a job! She found that she really enjoyed portraying (called “cosplay”) some of the Disney princesses such as Elsa and Anna from Frozen and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. And that is what she will be doing at Katy Days 2022! On both Friday and Saturday Jacqueline will be singing her heart out at different locations in the park. On Friday she will definitely be in the Children’s Entertainment Tent for at least two
performances. On Saturday you will find her in a variety of places.
We know you will enjoy!

Saturday:
Dennis Porter Magician & Juggler Shows 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm  

KATY DAYS PARADE
Friday, 6pm.  Begins at Heacock and Broadway, goes around the park. Join in!!   Our parade is not long but it’s fun - especially if YOU participate! We start at Heacock and Broadway and continue around Forest Park. Katy Days is about fun and about the unique heritage we share here in Parsons, KS. Did your family come here because of the MKT RR? Could you follow the example of the Cervantes Family and participate in the parade wearing unique t-shirts and carrying a banner? Do it your way - t-shirts, bicycles, scooters, trailer, etc.
Are you a group of friends who can create a routine of shopping cart maneuvers as you walk around the park? Are you dancers? Gymnasts? Musicians of some sort? Do you have a tractor you want to show off? Neighborhood friends on tricycles & bikes? Join in! Lets have
some fun!!! Contact Bess Stone Bolinger at 620-423-2657

RAILROAD & HISTORY RELATED ACTIVITIES - FOREST PARK
History Zone "Parsons Before Urban Renewal” 
Historical photographs & memorabilia
This year’s History Zone- located in the Parsons Recreational Center-will spotlight pre-urban renewal Parsons, concentrating on how the downtown business district looked as the urban renewal plan took shape. Photographs, most in color, document the downtown as many remember it. Some images are from recently donated slides and have never been seen by the public; those, combined with photos in the museum’s collection, will give viewers a good idea of the city on the eve of urban renewal. Other items related to urban renewal— such as advertisements, brochures, and architectural renderings- will also be a part of the exhibit. 
The History Zone will be open on Friday (3 pm to 6 pm) 
Saturday ( 9am to 5 pm) on Saturday during Katy Days. 

Vintage Base Ball Game
Parsons Katy Railroad Golden Spikes -versus -Emporia's Howe House Griffins  
In honor of Larry Williams Played with 1880's rules 
Saturday, 3pm "Katy Field" 
(Forest Park Baseball Diamond at Heacock & Grand) 
FREE ICE CREAM TO THE FIRST 150 FANS  
 
MKT Telegraph Office
Demonstration of vintage RR telegraph equipment by local telegraphers & HAM radio operators East side of park
Saturday 9-5    

MKT Memorabilia   
Throughout the park Fri, Sat,  
Railroad Reunion Meet Up with NARVE
For former MKT employees, friends & family - NARVE representatives will be on hand.
Saturday, all day, Main Entertainment Tent  

Commemorative MKT Coins -  $40 per set   2022
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen - Org. 1901
Raymond (Mike) Morfa, Katy Board Chairman 
1945 No. 2 Locomotive - The Mike Morfa    

RAILROAD and HISTORY RELATED ACTIVITIES - AROUND TOWN

Bluebonnet Banquet 
Michael Landis will be the speaker. He is the author of the book:
Show Me Katy https://katymissouri.wordpress.com/about-mike-landis/ New location is at the LCC Event Center (13th and Main)
Contact Steve Farrell for more information: 620-423-4346 (cell), 
620-421-1377 (home) $20 per person, reservations due 5-18-22

Labette Creek Crooners Barbershop Quartet 
Roving performances around the park all weekend    

New! - The NTR Band (No Talent Required)
4 monkey organs, basshorn and 2 accordions. 
Pull up a chair and enjoy! 
Saturday, 10-5 (with breaks) 
Near Heritage Crafters    

Heritage Crafters Demonstrations & Sales
East side of park by Playground Equipment 
Traditional crafts are demonstrated and some items sold
Saturday 10-5    

Helicopter Rides - cost 
All weekend 
Board on the levy east of park!    

Parsons Public Pool and the NEW Splash Pad open for activity starting Sunday, May 29th.     

COVID Precautions: Masks will be available at Information Booth.  Hand sanitizer available there and throughout the park.  Please use them as needed.     

Many (but not all) activities are free thanks to many generous donors!.  Have a good time.    

Broadway and Heacock Streets will be closed all weekend. Please do not cross barricades.  Help us maintain a safe festival.    

Handicapped Parking:  Friday & Saturday, the LCC lots at 13th and Broadway, NW corner is designated for handicapped parking ONLY.

Official Katy Days t-shirts and other memorabilia are available through Bleacher Gear at their booth in the park during Katy Days or at the downtown store, 18th and Main.    

Please leave your dogs at home.  The park is very crowded and it is scary and possibly dangerous for some people and dogs to be in such close quarters.   

For more detailed information on all of the above, visit www.katydays.com, “Katy Days Festival” Facebook page,

Friday, May 24th

5:30pm - 10:30pm 
5:45pm
6:00pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
9:00pm - 10:30pm

Saturday, May 25th

10:00am - 11:00am
11:00am -12:00pm
12:00pm - 1:00pm*
1:00pm - 2:00pm*
2:00pm - 3:00pm
5:30pm - 10:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
9:00pm - 10:30pm

Beer Garden
Opening Ceremony
Katy Days Parade
Stone Country
Jadynce Jean



Tumble & Cheer
Dance
Viking Color Guard 
DIsney Princesses
Katy Band
Beer Garden
Change of Heart
Van Hager