Annual festival celebrates Ellsworth’s heritage, honors newspaper at parade

Mild temperatures ushered in Ellsworth Cowtown Days this weekend.

Crowds gathered along Douglas Avenue to watch the annual parade, with the Reporter and the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter serving as grand marshal.

“I think it’s important when you’re able to honor someone like the newspaper who has been a pillar in our community for 150 years,” said Tami McGreevy, executive director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the chair of the newly formed Ellsworth Cowtown committee.

The parade’s theme was “Ellsworth Strong.”

Crowds enjoyed traditional activities, such as the re-enactment of the shooting of Sheriff Whitney.

“It’s important, especially when it’s an event like Cowtown, you celebrate your Cowtown heritage,” McGreevy said.

Cowtown also included a myriad of entertainment.

“I’ve been doing magic for about a month,” Macy Metcalf said after performing in the variety show. “I was a little nervous if one of my tricks would go wrong, but it didn’t.”

Ellsworth residents Brenda and Sheldon Rathbun strolled toward Cowtown Plaza.

“We come for the parade and the shootout,” Brenda Rathbun said. “It was a long parade.”

McGreevy said about 60 participants pre-registered, and often another 10 register the day of the event.

“Any time I see a crowd gathered is meaning fun to me,” she said. “When you see those people all come together for a common fun time … it’s heartwarming.”

The Cowtown Committee is in the process of attaining its 501c3 non-profit status.

“Saturday was a smash hit. The support was great, the sponsorships were amazing,” McGreevy said. “We had over $9,000 worth of local sponsorship, which is huge. For us as a committee, it told us that not only community but businesses want to see it continue.”

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. Activities will be planned on the trail throughout the year, McGreevy said. Ellsworth Cowtown Days will honor Ellsworth’s portion of the trail during the August festival.

Watch a live video of the parade on the I-R’s Facebook page!