KANOPOLIS — This year’s theme for the two-day Fort Harker Days was “156 Years of History,” and by all accounts — as in years past — it was a success according to organizers.
Friday night kicked off with Ellsworth County Historical Society members serving their annual hamburger feed at the Fort Harker Commanding Officer’s Quarters.
There were also a few games of sand volleyball played in Kanopolis City Park and a washer board tournament.
Saturday morning began with co-ed softball at the city park, followed by the annual Fort Harker Days parade which was led by grand marshals Greg Heller and Melvin McCary.
In addition to fire trucks, rodeo horses, tractors, honor guards from the American Legion, VFW and Boy Scouts, the thunderous sounds of the American Legion Riders and a variety of floats, there was also lots of candy throwing, much to the pleasure of the youngsters watching the parade.
After the parade, people gathered in the 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 vendors gathered there. There was also a cornhole tournament, dodge ball tournament and a historical presentation by Heller.
Later in the afternoon, the traditional covered wagon races proved popular, as did the kids’ bouncy houses.
During the covered wagon races, Mother Nature decided to put on a fireworks display with thunder and lightning and light to moderate rain falling for nearly an hour. Racers were not deterred, however, and finished in a timely manner.
Meredith Vargo, a member of the Fort Harker Days committee, said she felt good about how the celebration was progressing as she prepared to watch the parade.
“We think it’s excellent,” she said. “People are so excited. I’ve been working on Fort Harker Days for years, and there’s been more interest this year than I’ve noticed in a long time.”
Vargo said she was especially proud of the grand marshals of the parade, Heller and McCary.
“Aren’t they excellent,” she asked. “This is perfect. When we picked our theme, it seemed apparent to have those two men. They’ve done so much for Kanopolis and we are very happy they are our grand marshals.”In addition to Vargo, other members of the Fort Harker Days committee are Hopkins, Greg Tripp, Joye Neuman, Dustin Neuman and Amanda Miles.
Thad, Cruz and Owen Donley of Donley Brothers Mowing received the Volunteer of the Year Award Saturday night in Kanopolis City Park to cap off Fort Harker Days.
“The people we selected this year have been doing a lot in the City of Kanopolis,” Kanopolis Mayor and Fort Harker Days committee member Anthony Hopkins said, noting the brothers have been involved in the Kanopolis Clean-Up Days since it started.
“They help every year. They bring their own equipment, they use their own gas and they don’t ask for any recognition, but I felt like this year they deserved that recognition,” Hopkins said.
Thad Donley said he likes to help out in Kanopolis, cleaning up and making it a nicer community all around.
“I’d like to thank everyone who was part of this,” he said.
“I feel good because we helped out on the Kanopolis clean up and we are always glad to help,” Owen Donley said.
“I’m just glad we can we can make this community better any way we can,”  Cruz Donley said.
Hopkins thanked everyone for attending the celebration and braving the weather.
“It’s been a great last two days for all the events and vendors,” he said. “I appreciate everyone coming out.”