Admire holds day-long birthday bash
Russ Morgan, russ@emporiagazette.com
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Admire residents are preparing for a full day of events Saturday as the town gets ready to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
Preparations for the celebration have been underway since March, according to Allen Curless, who has been active in organizing the event.
“We’ve been working really hard on the celebration,” Curless said. “We’ve put together events for all ages.”
Highlights of the day’s events include a parade led by the Big Red One Cavalry Honor/Color Guard at 10 a.m. Another featured event will be a re-dedication of a sundial for the Robert Clayton Memorial to replace one that was stolen after Admire’s school was closed last year. A sundial was donated by the Stan Sommers family to restore the monument to Clayton, who piloted a B-17 bomber during World War II.
But those aren’t the only events taking place in Admire on Saturday.
The celebration will kick off at 7 a.m. with a breakfast at the community center, followed by a 5K run/walk and a bicycle race. At 8 a.m. there will be horseback rides, with riders traveling from Miller to Admire on the old railroad pathway. The Emporia Art Mobile will offer face painting beginning at 9:30 a.m.
After the parade will come the re-dedication of the Clayton Memorial Sundial at 11 a.m.
“We think that’s going to be a big deal, the re-dedication,” said Admire Mayor Richard Gould.
At noon there will be a horseshoes tournament and throughout the afternoon there will be a number of activities, including an old history living village, a covered wagon display, horse wagon rides, an expansive quilt show, a silent auction and various others.
According to Gould, the celebration is being held to honor 125 years of Admire history.
“Admire started, according to the books, in 1886,” he said. “John Admire had a lot to do with starting up the town. It was a railroad town, and so at one time it was a booming place.”
The town reached its peak in the 1930s and 1940s, and began to decline after World War II.
Another anticipated attraction will be an antique tractor pull beginning at 1 p.m., followed at 2 p.m. by a dedication of new lights and fencing at Admire Ball Park. At 3 p.m., young historians will give a presentation on local people in the Admire Gym. A historical presentation on railroads will be given by Bill Worley at 4 p.m., and tethered balloon rides will follow.
A barbecue supper will begin at 5:15, and events later in the evening include a show by the Tallgrass Express String Band in the gym and fireworks.
The day will close with a dance beginning at 9 p.m.
For more information, call Earl Lyddane at (620) 366-0375 or Allen Curless at (620) 795-5780.