Hugoton’s annual Park Day is always a great opportunity to show off the community and have a lot of fun with the whole family! This year is no exception, as the Chamber has pulled out all the stops to ensure 2015’s Park Day is one to remember!
Starting the day off will be the Park Day Opening Ceremony on the east side of the park at 8:45 a.m. It will be followed by the Little Miss and Little Mister Hugoton Contest at 9:00 a.m. Contestants from birth to age three are encouraged to participate. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Make sure your little cutie is outfitted in their most patriotic red, white and blue outfit for a chance to win! This year Little Misses and Misters do not have to be Stevens County residents. The contest is sponsored by Dillco Fluid Service.
In the northwest corner of the park, the Turtle Race will begin at 9:00 a.m. for kids ages three to 12. Be sure to decorate your turtle before the race! The event is sponsored by Southwest Friends of the Arts and the Chamber. After the turtle race will be the famous Frog Jump, sponsored by the HHS
Senior Class of 2016 and the Chamber. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is for children ages three to 12.
Make sure you stretch before heading to the Sack Race in the northwest corner of the park. Participants must be at least three years old. The event is sponsored by Citizens State Bank and will start at 10:00 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. you can take part in the Egg Toss, sponsored by Wolters Construction, also in the northwest corner of the park.
Hopefully you’ve got your ‘ducks in a row” for the annual Rotary Club Duck Race at 12:00 noon. Get over to the north side of the park by Canal Street – Third Street – and see if your ducky crosses the line first! If you’re jealous of the ducks swimming in the cool water, don’t worry – the Hugoton Swimming Pool will be open from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a reduced admission fee, thanks to the HHS Girls’ Volleyball Team and Hugoton Parks and Recreation.
When you get hungry or thirsty after participating in all the fun activities, you won’t have to leave the park! Just visit one of the many concession stands available during Park Day! The Lions Club will have hot dogs and drinks, while Southwest Friends of the Arts will have hamburgers, chips, apple pie and firecracker drinks. Gayle Claggett will certainly tempt your tastebuds with sloppy joes and homemade pie, while the smell of Jackson’s Bar-B-Q pulled pork sandwiches will have you salivating all day. Stop by Katie LeNeve’s booth before getting started for cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos! Pigs R Us will have their famous ice chest tea to quench your thirst, while Maribel and Mague Bustillos will bring homemade tamales, sanchos, super nachos, horchatas and fruit salad.
Tortas and gorditas will be available from Paula Cortez’s stand, while Rosa’s Bakery will be whipping up seafood tostadas and fresh water. Make sure you stop by the Stevens County Library booth for free cotton candy! P.E.O. will have their homemade pies available, while Victoria Gonzalez will offer fruit plates for your sweet tooth. You can also indulge your craving for sweets – and cool off – with ice cream bars and popsicles from the Hugoton Blues softball team. What Independence Day would be complete without a delicious bowl of homemade ice cream? Enrique Sanchez and his family have got you covered with Bolys Homemade Ice Cream! You can also visit Pheasant Heaven Charities at the VFW Hall for that Park Day staple: Walking Tacos! All proceeds will go to the Benevolent Fund of Pheasant Heaven Charities, Inc.
If you are more interested in homemade items or gifts, look no further! Hugoton’s Park will host many vendors throughout the park Saturday! Kyrie Esarey will offer DoTerra Oils, and Pauline Murray will have her famous crochet items, peanut patties and baked goods available. Kansas Flavor will also attend with their plethora of jalapeno items. Yellow Brick Stitch will have sewn items, while Mallory Moser will offer craft signs. Deena Mortimer will be selling Jamberry Nails, and G&H Import/Export will offer toy and gift baskets. Lynn’s Paparazzi and Krista’s Kreations will have Paparazzi jewelry and Fourth of July trinkets. Make sure to stop by the Lolli & Dauts stand for unique clothing, jewelry and home decor. Of course, don’t forget about all the giant inflatables the kids will be sure to love!
Stevens County Shooting 4-H Sports will sponsor the nine-hole mini golf, and the Santa Committee will have their Dunk Tank and Bounce House. Try your luck at the Hugoton Girls’ Basketball Club’s Bingo booth, or the Rotary’s Ring Toss! If you’ve been feeling frustrated, the Stevens County Fire Department will even let you “Wack-A-Car”! Visit the Hugoton Blues’ Duck Pond booth for a chance to win lots of fun prizes!
Have you been pining for a new motorcycle? Stop by the Abengoa / Brahma booth for tickets to win an OCC Chopper. Proceeds will benefit Relay for Life. High Plains Music Fest tickets will also be available for sale.
After you’ve played all the games, eaten all the food, and bought all the goodies, head over to the Hugoton High School football field for the big fireworks display after dark, at approximately 10:00 or 10:30 p.m.
Please have a fun, safe and happy Fourth of July!
