There’s only a few days remaining until this year’s Ellsworth Cowtown Days celebration kicks off, and Malinda Cunningham is busy.

As chairperson of the annual parade, Cunningham is not only responsible for registering each entry, but making sure everyone is lined up and ready to go Saturday morning.

So far, there’s around 40 entries signed up. But as time ticks away, several more will join the list, nearly doubling the number of entrants. Typically, the parade has 70-80.

“I’ll take them about right up to the morning of,” she said.“We’re a rural community, and people are working. So, it’s always hard for people to know who will show up, and who will be available, sometimes until the very last minute — so I work with them.”

Cunningham, who has been involved in the Cowtown Days’ festivities for about 10 years, has overseen the parade for more than six years.

Volunteers and donations from local businesses are the lifeblood behind the Cowtown Days celebration itself, she said, as well as other events like the parade.

“We’ve had so many great people donating their time to honor Ellsworth’s rich history,” she said. “So many people who work hard behind the scenes. That’s what makes it so successful every year.”

“We have such a wonderful implement company who comes and sets up a trailer, and the boutonniere and the corsage for the grand marshal and his wife are donated,” Cunningham said. “Everything we have is through volunteers and donations.”

The theme for this year’s parade is “Our Past ... Your Future.” And for Cunningham, it’s a fitting message.

“I absolutely love that theme because unlike other communities, Ellsworth defies that national trend with growth and new families moving here,” she said. “ ... We’re always looking for ways to grow, and that’s what’s kept Ellsworth growing and thriving; I think they really nailed it this year.”

Cunningham is passionate about her community. But it’s more than the feeling of everyone pulling together to honor the town’s heritage. It’s the feeling of family and belonging. Malinda’s family has lived in Ellsworth for 27 years, and knows firsthand the uniqueness of her community.

“I think everyone here knows we enjoy a great quality of life,” she said.“We just live in a very special place. Even when my husband passed away, they wrapped their arms around us. I don’t think my family and I could’ve gotten through without them. I think that’s why I’m so passionate. There’s just a tremendous quality of life here. It’s just nice to give back.”

One person by Cunningham’s side at parade time is Kenny Castor, her go-to person, who serves as announcer.

“He’s done it year after year,” she said.“He’s been the voice of the parade and does such a tremendous job.”

Castor’s involvement in Cowtown Days started in 1985 when he was invited to be an extra in the annual re-enactment. Two years later, he was promoted to the role of Deputy “Happy Jack” Marco. Castor has served on the Cowtown Committee since the eighties, and even headed the event. He remembers working side by side with the late Larry Schmidt as they built and painted the large, yellow Spirit Wagon as part of the Spirit of Ellsworth Traveling Fun Show.

“I painted so many stars on that wagon that I saw stars at night when I closed my eyes,” Castor said.

For Castor, Cowtown Days is a chance to relive history and share the community’s heritage with others.

“Ellsworth one of four major cow towns — that’s our claim to fame,” he said. “And with the reenactment, you’ve got pretty dancing girls, and cowboys shooting guns. And people come from all over together to watch. It’s just a part of our history.”

But it’s also a chance to dress up and have fun. Since the re-enactment follows the parade, Castor is already in costume.

“You get to be a kid,” he said. “It’s a joy to announce, but it’s even more fun when you get to dress up.”

He too says it’s the volunteers who make the annual event possible.

“What makes a good citizen is not the person with the shiniest car and the most money,” he said. It’s the person who puts his head down and works quietly. That’s what made this country, and Ellsworth’s got a bunch of them. The parade is the coming together of all of that. It’s a lot of fun.”

But among the locals who devote their time, Castor said, is Cunningham.

“Every (chairperson) has been good, but Malinda Cunningham has done above and beyond,” he said. “Before the parade, she gets on that viewing stand, and she makes my life so much easier. She’s done a good job for the parade, and she’s very good at it. Bless her heart, she has it all together and has it ready to go. She’s very good at what she does.”

Once the parade gets going, Cunningham says everything just seems to take care of itself — finally giving her time to join in on the fun.

“Cowtown Days is just so much fun,” she said. “Everyone comes home, and it gives them a chance to get caught up. That’s so much fun.”

“I’m just a small piece of this much bigger pie. There’s just so many wonderful people that make this place so special.”