The Hugoton City Park is overrun with spectacular shining beauty Saturday afternoon and many turned out to take it all in. Gas Capital Car, Truck and Bike Show’s annual event picked the perfect day and chrome and engines galore filled the park featuring amazing classic vehicles.

Best Western Plus Stevens County Inn received the wonderful news that they have been selected to receive the Best Western Hotels & Resorts coveted M.K. Guertin Award for 2020. Only fifty Best Western Hotels out of 3,500 are honored to receive this award. This award is named after the founder, M.K. Guertin, of Best Western Hotels. The award recognizes properties that best demonstrate their foundational committment to providing superior customer care. Stevens County Inn has went above and beyond to deliver superior care to guests in good times and tough times, especially during this onslaught of COVID- 19. As an M.K. Guertin award winner, they will be recognized during Best Western’s virtual Convention the week of October 18. Congratulations, Stevens County Inn, for a job well done!

Lifelong Stevens County resident / fireman Phillip Thompson has dedicated 35 years of his life to helping keep residents and property in his hometown and county safe from fires, disasters and impending storms. You are not only deeply appreciated by your family Phil but also all of your fellow Stevens County people.

Quilts of Valor are given to these Veterans at the County Fair Thursday night. In back, left to right, are Barry Crane, Max Williams, Nathan Williams, Tylan  Peterson and  Douglas Clark.   In front are Vernon Anderson, James Bell, Mick Prine and Troy Estes.  Richard Sullivan was presented his quilt privately.

It is now official! The Stevens County Sorghum Queen and her court has been selected.  Left to right are First Princess Claudia Clark, Stevens County Sorghum Queen Lakota Persing, Second Princess Mary Beth Crawford and Miss Congenialty Effie Kolb.

The time is finally here. Friday is the day for the annual Sorghum Queen contest. Come to see all the 18 beauties this Friday at the Hugoton High School middle school auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Candidates along with their sponsors that have entered this contest are as follows: Denisse Delgado/Acostas & Neitos Cafe; Suhelia Rosas / Rosas Bakery; Shaylee Cox/Tan’alon; Hadlee Arrington/Jet Drive-In; Aubrey Brechbuhler / D&A Danner; Reygan Kiley/Heaters Sprinklers; Lakota Persing/Musgrove Insurance; Claudia Clark /Clark Ranch; Gillian Heger / Stumpy’s; Effie Kolb / State Farm Insurance; Jewels Noland / Pate Agency; Jenna Beesley / Janet’s Bridal & Boutique; Leslie Martinez /American Implement; Kynna Crawford/ Mane Hair Company; Mary Beth Crawford / Citizens State Bank; Marissa Mendoza/ Stalcup Farms; Isabella Hall / Hall Family Shorthorns; Grace Staats- Gibson/Sandoval Sandhill Ranch.

Social distancing is requested. Good luck to all these gorgeous candidates.

The Hugoton High School graduation took place Saturday, July 11 at the HHS football field. “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar was played as the students walked to their seats. Gavin Heger gave the Invocation. Mrs. Melody Witt, Principal of HHS gave the welcoming remarks. Hugoton had three valedictorians this year. The valedictorians and their parents were introduced by Mrs. Witt. Each gave a short speech.

Jenna Beesley introduced the commencement speaker, her mother, Mrs. Jennifer Beesley. Mrs. Witt then presented the class, accepting the class and the awarding of the diplomas was Mike Persinger, President of the Board of Education. He was assisted by the rest of the school board members.

Frances Gaskill announced the recognition of mothers while special music “Becoming Me” by Matthew West, “Good Riddance” and “Time of My Life” by Green Day was played. Terron Stegman gave the Benediction and Mrs. Witt announced the moving of the tassel.

Two Hugoton High School students have entered the military, David Barker and Gabriela Lopez. The class escorts were Wyatt Angell and Gillian Heger. Senior Sponsors were Jennifer Beesley and Gena Burnett.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Hugoton celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks and fun in the City Park Saturday.

Winners of the Little Mr/Miss contest sponsored by Flatlanders Farm and Home were Little Mr. 0-6 months Landon James Moser. The Little Miss 0-6 months winners were first place Emmalyn Webb, second place Huxley Landa and third place Elle Garza. Little Miss 7-12 months winners were first place Ella Crawford, second place Charlotte Bartsch and third place Lakynn Reust. Little Mr. 7-12 months winners were first place Ryker Barnett and second place Cooper Schnable. The Little Miss 13-18 months winners were first place Gia Kitzke and second place Kamdyn Campbell. Little Miss 19-24 months winners were first place Autumn Jorde, second place Delaney Garcia-Tinoco and third place Raigynn Hogie. The Little Miss/Mr. 2 to 3 years olds were first place Little Mr. Eli Jorde, first place Little Miss Jericha Hatch, second place Phoenix Peterson and third place Bailey Montoya.

In the Egg Toss contest sponsored by Wolters Construction were 10 to 13 year olds first place Daniel Alfaro and Daniella Alfaro, second place Wyatt Johnson and Boden Mitchell and third place Isai Guardado and Alexis Chavez. In the 5 to 9 year olds, first place was Ivan and Derck Tinoco, second place Kash and Kody Kallenbach and third place Brightyn McAnarney and Charlotte Woods. In the 14 and up division, winners were first place Rylan Williams and Nik Meanarny, second place Nicole Kinser and Lance Sandoval and third place Riley Sosa and Baylee Hoskinson. In the parent and child group first place went to Gavin P. and Josh Perez, second place Will and Carter Trujillo and third place Zane and Dereck Hermreck.

Park Day 2020 is Saturday, July 4 in Hugoton’s City Park, and it’s right around the corner! Flatlanders Farm & Home is again sponsoring the Little Mr./Miss Hugoton Pageant, so dress those babies up in their most patriotic outfit and get over to the northeast corner of the park to register by 8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony will be at 8:45 a.m., the Little Miss / Mr Hugoton Pageant will start at 9:00 a.m.

Other events this year include the standards – Turtle Races and Frog Jump sponsored by SWFAS. The Sack Races this year will again be sponsored by Citizens State Bank. The Egg Toss is sponsored by Wolters Construction. The all day Ring Toss and Corn Hole Game will be sponsored by Hugoton Rotary. Hugoton Band Boosters will be running the Putt Putt Mini Golf all day. The Stevens County Sheriff’s Department invites you to try your skills at the Back Seat Driver Contest.

There will be lots of activity booths, game booths, food booths and vendors in the park for a day of fun to help celebrate the Fourth of July. Inflate-O-Fun out of Hutchinson plans to bring four fun inflatables this year: an 18 foot Slide, a Castle Bouncer, the “Combine Combo” and the Toxic Drop Obstacle Course. The Toxic Drop Obstacle Course measures 80 feet long, and is the only such course offered throughout the state of Kansas! Be sure to get tickets or a wristband so you can experience the fun inflatables at the park!

The Hugoton Rotary Club Duck Races will be at 12:00 noon in Canal Street. Be sure to watch the excitement of the ducks floating down the flooded street.

The pool will be open for a free swim from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Also, if you’d like to have a booth at Park Day, you can still register at the Chamber Office by calling 620-544-4305.

Saturday evening at dark the City will show off their big fireworks at the Hugoton High School football field. No alcohol is allowed on USD 210 property or at the City park. Spectators are allowed to sit in their cars or bring chairs and sit in the HS parking lot(s) for the fireworks. The stands will be closed due to cleaning for graduation the following weekend.

Please call the Chamber office for more info on EVERYTHING Park Day. But most of all, come and celebrate Independence Day with us at the Hugoton City Park from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., and bring your family and friends!! Hope to see you there!