KANOPOLIS — Bonnie and Pete Orozco were named the Volunteer of the Year Saturday night in Kanopolis City Park to cap off Fort Harker Days.

“This year was the 20th year of the run put on by the same people who do it every year, and those people are also our Volunteer of the Year,” Mayor Anthony Hopkins said.

Unfortunately, the Orozcos were spending time with family and were unable to attend the ceremony.

“We will get them their plaque, but if you see them, please tell them thank you,” Hopkins said. “We certainly appreciate them continuing to do that event every year.”

In an e-mail interview with the Independent-Reporter Sunday, the Orozcos said they were surprised and humbled to receive the award.

“We volunteer our time, thinking we do what it takes to organize the run so it is a success, promoting both running and the town of Kanopolis,” the Orozcos wrote. “Thank you so much, and a huge shout out to all the race staff. We couldn’t do it without you.”

Former Kanopolis resident Shirley Deiser said she was pleased with how Fort Harker Days went.

“I lived over here for awhile and now I live in Ellsworth and it has been really great,” she said. “I always enjoy it.”

Deiser said her favorite parts are the parade and the food.

“A couple of years ago, I was in the parade with my lawn mower,” she said, adding she pulled a cart behind the mower to highlight the Ellsworth American Legion.

The grand marshal of this year’s parade was 97-year-old World War II veteran Elias (Eli) Hernandez.

Meredith Vargo, a member of the Fort Harker Days committee, said she was especially proud of Hernandez.

“He is such a hero in the community,” she said. “He has such a great sense of humor.”

The weekend was packed with activities.

Friday night kicked off with Ellsworth County Historical Society members serving the annual hamburger feed at the Fort Harker Commanding Officer’s Quarters. There were also a few games

There were also a few games of sand volleyball in Kanopolis City Park and a washer board tournament.

Saturday morning began with the Orozcos overseeing the annual Fort Harker Run/ Walk. This year’s run/walk had 52 registrations (including six sleep-in participants) and 46 runners.

The overall winners in the 5K run were Byron Johnson in the male division with a time of 17:33, and Kyli Bachman in the female division, with a time of 20:40. Overall winners in the 2 mile were male Carson Jacobs, (12:57); and female Tess Gray, (19:36).

The morning progressed with the annual Fort Harker Days Parade, led by Hernandez and his family. In addition to fire trucks, rodeo horses, tractors, honor guards from the Legion/VFW and the Boy Scouts, the thunderous sounds of the American Legion Riders and a variety of floats, there were several politicians who made their way down the parade route. Among them were Noah Erichsen of Ellsworth, who is running for the newly re-organized District 109 seat in the Kansas House of Representatives, and Steven Johnson of Assaria, who is running for Kansas state treasurer. Erichsen was accompanied by his grandmother, Garnell Hanson of Ellsworth.

After the parade, people gathered in the Kanopolis City Park to enjoy the annual turtle races, eat a piece of cold watermelon courtesy of First Bank Kansas in Ellsworth, or enjoy a variety of foods from venders.

Later in the afternoon, the traditional chuck wagon races proved popular, as did the bouncy houses.

There was also the Kanopolis All-School Reunion.

“The weather ain’t too hot yet, so it’s going good,” said Greg Tripp, Kanopolis City Council member, at about 11 a.m. Saturday. “The park is filling up, and we had a pretty good parade.”

Vargo said she was pleased with this year’s celebration.

“We love Fort Harker and I think the people of the community do also,” she said.

Tripp said Fort Harker Days means a lot to Kanopolis.

“It goes way back,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in this town. It means a lot to this town. We just want to keep it going.”