Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Council Grove’s 32nd Anniversary ‘Indian Celebration’ Has Strong Entertainment Lineup

One of the most historic communities in the world plans a special celebration in recognition of its past this weekend.

“Washunga Days are planned at Council Grove on the old Santa Fe Trail, Friday through Sunday, June 20-22,” announced Star Veh of the planning committee.

“It’ll be the 32nd anniversary edition of the recognition of our community’s strong Kaw Indian heritage, the town’s prominence of importance on the old wagon train trail from Missouri, to New Mexico, and our additional other 24 national historic landmarks,” Veh added.

Appropriately, Friday evening, June 20, will feature the Luther Pepper Award presentation at the Guardian of the Grove, right next to the Neosho River Main Street Bridge.

Planning to be in attendance, Pepper is a great-great grandson of Chief Allegawaho, after whom the inspirational Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park, south of Council Grove, was named. A Daughter of the American Revolution flag raising at the nearby Madonna Park will follow the recognition ceremony.

There will again be a Kaw Intertribal Pow Wow Friday and Saturday evenings at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site, which served as a school for Kaw youth in the 1800s, and now is a state-supported museum.

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A Kaw Intertribal Pow Wow is set as a feature of Washunga Days 2014, June 20-21-22, at Council Grove. Kaw Tribal members will participate at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site (background), which served as a school for Kaw youth in the 1800s, and now is a state-supported museum in the background.
The Kaw Princess and Kaw Tribal members will participate in the 10 o’clock Saturday morning, June 21, parade, also expected to attract entries from throughout the Midwest. A Native American flute concert is scheduled at the mission Saturday afternoon.

A flea market is all day Friday continuing through Sunday at the baseball fields. June’s Got the Cash entertains at 7 o’clock in the Main Tent, Friday evening, during a beer garden, with Joseph Hall as Elvis to be on stage at 8:30. Fireworks are set for 10 o’clock.

With the “Run-Shunga” race early Saturday morning, an arts and craft fair and a car and motorcycle show are also planned simultaneously at the high school as all-day Saturday attractions.

Kid’s activities are set from noon to 5 o’clock Saturday at the picturesque Riverwalk Park right on the banks of the Neosho River just north of the bridge. On the schedule are a magic show, inflatables, chemistry comedy, train rides, fun photo opportunities, Rotary Junior Duck Race, slide, chalk on the walk, gator course and a paradise adventure.

Additionally on the packed-full Saturday schedule are a farmer’s market, a magic show, gunslingers, a dulcimer concert, pack goats demonstration, dancers, and the Rotary Duck Races.

Johnathan Fleig is to entertain at 5:30, Saturday, in the Main Tent, and the beer garden is again be open during the evening, when the Jared Daniels Band  entertains.

Sunday, June 22, features a Gather at the River Church Service at 10 o’clock, with a Vintage Baseball Game in the afternoon at the baseball fields, and Arts in the Park is planned at 7 o’clock in the Council Oak Park.

Information is available at www.washunga.com.

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