Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Corn Picking And Quilt Show Saturday At Alta Vista’s Ag Heritage Park

It’ll be a “step back in time” at Alta Vista on Saturday.

“Old-fashioned corn harvest will highlight activities planned at Ag Heritage Park on the south edge of Alta Vista, which will be celebrating its 125th anniversary during the annual Old Settlers Day celebration, on September 22,” announced Connie Larson, park board president.

Ag Heritage Park, at 103 South Main in Alta Vista, is the compilation of Hazel and the late Everett Zimmerman’s efforts to collect memorabilia that commemorate agriculture life.

Community activities kick-off early in the morning with a 5K Run-Walk, and the park will be open from 8 to 5, with its own lineup of events, according to Hazel Zimmerman, park co-founder.

“Demonstrations of old-time corn picking with a tractor-powered, one-row corn picker and tractor-powered corn-shellers are planned Saturday afternoon at in a corn field just south of the park on Highway 4,” Larson said. “A horse-powered ear-corn grinder is also to be demonstrated.”

Ron Schultz and Friends will provide musical entertainment in the park beginning at 9:30 a.m. “They are expected to ‘jam’ at intervals throughout the morning,” Zimmerman related.

A number of Ag Heritage Park tractors are to driven in the Old Settler’s Day parade  downtown at 11 o’clock.

“Those wanting to join the Ag Heritage Park tractors should arrive here at 10 o’clock, and we will join the parade lineup at 10:30,” Zimmerman welcomed.

To commemorate the town’s 125thanniversary, Ag Heritage Park now has a special display depicting Alta Vista’s birth.

“There are many items that depict farm life 125 years ago, including the two-room farm house and the one-room school, so visitors can ‘step back in time” and imagine farm life in 1887,” Zimmerman said.

A quilt show is planned at the museum, with entries open to anyone, individuals or guilds, and any type of quilt, vintage or new. “Registration begins at 8, with a special ‘barn quilt blocks’ program at 10 o’clock,” Larson said.

“Barn quilt blocks are an art-replica of a quilt block pattern painted on a barn. In some  areas, the barn quilt blocks are likened to a clothesline that will stretch a trail across the nation,” Larson explained.

“Ag Heritage Park hopes these quilt blocks will be a part of a trail that showcases rural areas of the Flint Hills, featuring farms, ranches, crops and livestock, while educating the public of the importance of agriculture economically and historically to the area,” Larson continued.

On display will be a pair of barn quilt blocks, with the “Home Treasure” pattern, painted by quilt artist Susan Kesl, and contributed by Chase Kesl. “Susan chose the red, white and blue color theme to be truly American, while depicting our rural heritage,” Larson said.

A quilt made this year by kindergarten through eighth grade art students at Alta Vista and Dwight will be included in the display. “The machine-sewn painted blocks quilt features ‘The Prairie’ pattern, and was assembled by Bessie Lighthall and Jane Kirkeminde,” Larson said.

Climax of the show is the 4 o’clock drawing for a tractor quilt throw made by Larson, with donation-tickets benefitting Ag Heritage Park available for purchase throughout the day.

Drinks and snacks will be offered at Ag Heritage Park all day, and, as part of Old Settler’s Day, noon lunch is available in the City Park.

The Alta Vista Alumni Banquet is set for 7 p.m., at the Prairie Heights Middle School for all Alta Vista High School graduates. Fireworks are planned for 9:30 p.m., at Highway 4 and Main Street, with parking nearby. A dance to The Clearview Band concludes festivities.

Information on Ag Heritage Park can be found at www.agheritagepark.com, on Facebook, and by calling 620-767-2714 or 785-532-8393.

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