Second Saturday event includes western theme

Visitors to Holton’s Town Square on Saturday will have the opportunity to take a trip back to the Old West from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. that day with the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s “Western Bonanza,” this month’s Second Saturday promotion.

Chamber director Carolyn McKee said that in addition to the regular Second Saturday activities, this month’s promotion will feature Western-themed arts and activities, including “cowboy art” displays, a “Children’s Cowboy and Cowgirl Storyboard Art Walk” around the Square and, starting at 7 p.m., a family square dance on the east side of the Jackson County Courthouse.

“We thought square dancing would be fun,” McKee said of the square dancing event. “A lot of the younger kids may have never experienced it, so they’re coming in to teach the kids how to square dance.”

The square dance lessons and event are being provided by Berryton-based square dance caller Dana Schirmer, who has four decades of experience in the field. McKee said Schirmer has expressed an interest in starting a square dance class in Holton, and a sign-up sheet will be available at Saturday’s event.

Admission to the square dance is $5 per person, with children admitted free. The first 25 families to attend the square dance will receive $5 in Chamber Bucks, it was reported.

Also, the Jackson County Arts group will present an “art walk” around the Square based on “Cowgirls and Cowboys at Play,” a poem specially written for Saturday’s event by Carol Totten of Holton. Members of the group are combining their paintings for a 16-panel “storybook walk” to illustrate the poem, McKee said.

Group members will also have their art on exhibit at the Hutchins Building, McKee said. Also, Lorie Fleming-Huyett will have a pottery demonstration and display at The Gossip during the event. For those looking for a little grub, Your Place or Mine Catering will also offer barbecue dinners with chips and soda at the Courthouse.

Elsewhere, Quilting on the Square will offer free samples of John Wayne’s Sweet Tea in addition to western quilts and art work by Holton native Marilyn Spiker. Visitors to the store wearing Western attire will receive 15 percent off their purchases, McKee said.

The Golden Fleece will hold a drawing for a free starter spinning kit and 10 percent off wool roving, while expressions will offer half off some crystal, glass, candles and jewelry. Uptown Treasures and Desperadoes Western Wear will offer wine samplings and drawings for up to 20 percent off purchases.

McKee also noted that for those who want to purchase a sewing machine to make their own Western duds, J&M Sewing Center will pay sales tax on all machines purchased during the event. Other businesses on the Square will offer sales and discounts during the event, she added.

The Second Saturday promotion is supported in part by an award from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and in part from the Jackson County Tourism Council, it was reported. For more information, call the Chamber office at 364-3963.