Entertainment for all ages highlights Washunga Days, June 21-22-23, at historic Council Grove right on the old Santa Fe Trail.
“The annual festival celebrates the culture both past and present of Council Grove and Morris County,” according to Lindsey Gant.
Representing the Washunga Days Committee, Gant said, “We want to welcome guests to town to enjoy our festival as well as Council Grove.”
Top musical acts are scheduled to entertain Friday evening and all day Saturday. “In addition to our stacked artist lineup, we have a car show, artisans market, food vendors, kid’s activities, Kaw Nation Powwow, fireworks and more,” Gant said.
Rising stars Cody Johnson and Parker McCollum headline the musical presentations Friday and Saturday evenings, respectively, starting at 10 o’clock.
A country music singer-songwriter Johnson hails from Sebastopol, Texas. He has self-released six albums with the sixth album “Gotta Be Me” debuting at number two on Billboard’s Country chart.
Johnson’s seventh album, “Ain’t Nothin’ To It”, was released on January 18, 2019. It includes the single “On My Way To You,” which is his first Top 40 hit on Country Airplay. The album and single were both released via Warner Brothers Records, Nashville.
McCollum is an American Americana singer-
His music incorporates blues, roots rock, soul rock and folk rock, although McCollum’s albums are primarily country and American
Kicking off Washunga Days music will be the band Fast Annie from Kansas City Friday evening at 5:30. Texas native Bri Bagwell will present country music at 7:30, followed by Johnson at 10 o’clock.
Music on Saturday morning will begin at 11:30, with the local band “The Box Turtles.” They present an eclectic blend of southern rock, classic rock and modern rock. Singer-songwriter Lora McDonald is to entertain at 1:30, followed by Bryton Stoll at 3:30, and Savanna Chestnut at 5:30.
The Lazy Wayne Band entertains at 7:30, followed by an incredible Stars and Stripes Fireworks Show at 9:30. McCollum takes the stage at 10 o’clock.
The 37th annual Kaw Nation Washunga Days Powwow is in the Dance Arbor at Allegawaho Park Friday and Saturday evenings.
Each year, Kaw citizens come together for the celebration of the tribe’s historical heritage in the area.
Dedicated in 2002, the park includes 168 acres that were the Kaw Reservation from the 1840s to 1872. The beautiful, lighted arbor is a sacred Native American dance venue with state-of-the-art sound technology.
Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, a Kanza Women program is set for the Kaw Mission, a Kaw school in the 1800s.
There is a flea market planned throughout Friday and Saturday at the Council Grove High School. Washunga Days festival gates open Friday at 4:30, with kickoff welcome is set for 5:15.
Friday evening attractions on The Riverwalk include inflatables, mechanical bull, rock wall, food venders and a beer garden. These features will continue on Saturday as well.
A two-hour Wild Edibles Walk starts Saturday morning at 7 o’clock with local history, plant identification and more.
The parade down Council Grove’s Main Street, the original Santa Fe Trail, begins at 10 o’clock.
Children’s activities Saturday also feature a petting zoo, drum safari, face painting, airbrush tattoos, Morris County Touch-A-Truck, Washunga Days Button Swim and more.
The artisans market will host a blend of vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, repurposed vintage creations, furniture, and jewelry.
Registration for the car show is in the morning with judging during the early afternoon and awards at 2 o’clock. A Santa Fe Trail Program begins at 3 o’clock at the Riverwalk Park on Stage Two. Helicopter rides are planned throughout the day.
A Float For Fun Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock concludes Washunga Days 2019 at Council Grove.
Complete schedule and details can be found at www.washungadays.com.