The grand marshals for this year’s Fort Harker Days parade are members of the Kanopolis Volunteer Fire Department. The celebration is July 13-14 with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“Last year was just extremely busy for them with fires and everything,” Linnea Beebe said. “They do a lot of work on the fire trucks. They do most of their own maintenance — putting fire trucks together, brush units, tankers. They are very deserving of the honor.”
The following is the Fort Harker Days schedule of events:

Friday, July 13
• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Forsyth Scout Reunion. Participants are asked to sign in with the quartermaster at the Fort Harker Junior Officer Quarters.
• 6 to 10 p.m. — Lewallen Amusements Carnival. Advanced, pre-paid wristbands available for $20 at the Kanopolis City Office and Rolling Hills Electric on Friday only.
• 5 p.m. — Sand Volleyball. Registrations accepted from June 16 through June 30, or until full. The cost is $60 per team, and the event is limited to the first 16 teams. No early registrations accepted. To register, call Jenny Thornton, (785) 531-0396.
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Hamburger Feed at the Fort Harker Commanding Officer’s Quarters. Sponsored by the Ellsworth County Historical Society. A donation of $5 per plate is requested.
• 7 p.m. — “Daring Jack Stilwell — A Thrilling Life on the Plains” presentation by Roy B. Young.
• 7 p.m. — “Remember When” picture display at the Fort Harker Commanding Officer’s Quarters.
• 7 to 8 p.m.  — Live music.

Saturday, July 14
(All events conducted at Kanopolis City Park unless otherwise noted. Bring your own lawn chairs for your comfort.)
• All Day — Food Vendors in Kanopolis City Park, including the Kanopolis Methodist Church, Butch’s Barbecue, Bonnie’s Mexican Food, Smoky Hill Cattlewomen, and Route 66 Concessions.
• 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. — Fort Harker Run/Walk registration, A and Kansas Streets. For more information, call Pete Orozco, (785) 472-4567.
• 7:30 a.m. — For Harker four mile run and two mile walk/run, A and Kansas Streets.
• 8 a.m. — Sand Volleyball.
• 8:30 a.m. — Poker Run pre-registration at B and North Kansas Streets.
• 9 a.m. — Free sno-cones and balloons at Kanopolis City Library.
• 9 a.m. — Parade Line up at the corner of First Street and Kansas Avenue. To enter or for more information, call the Kanopolis City Office, (785) 472-4732.
• 10 a.m. — Carnival.
• 10 a.m. — Parade, with members of the Kanopolis Volunteer Fire Department as grand marshals.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — “Remember When” picture display at the Fort Harker Commanding Officer’s Quarters.
• 11 a.m. — Face Painting by DD Clown and Company in the Kanopolis City Library community room.
• 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Motorcycle Poker Run — B and North Kansas Streets.
• 11:30 a.m. — Turtle Races. Box turtles only please.
• 11:30 a.m. — LEGO contest at the Kanopolis City Library for children ages kindergarten through sixth grade immediately following the turtle races.
• Noon — Free watermelon in Kanopolis City Park.
• 3:30 p.m. — Kanopolis All-School Social Hour at the Kanopolis Community Center.
• 5 p.m. — Kanopolis All School Banquet.
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Entertainment by Dave Pickering, the one man band.
• 6 p.m. — Registration for the adult (ages 18 and older) covered wagon races and kids covered wagon races.
 • 7 p.m. — Covered wagon races at North Kansas Street by the Kanopolis City Park.
• 8:15 p.m. Kanopolis Volunteer of the Year Award.
• 8 p.m. to midnight — Free Dance to Bonnie and the Rockits.