8th Annual Iron Horse Duathlon and 5K Run - Information & Entry Form
7:30 AM
The 8th Annual Iron Horse Duathlon and 5K Run will begin at 7:30am on Saturday, May 23, 2009 in the Commercial Bank parking lot. Brochures & forms are available at Bleacher Gear, or by contacting Dr. Wayne Gilmore at 620-421-2330.
Sponsors: Bleacher Gear and Labette Health

Cherry Valley Model Railroad Show and Swap Meet
8am-4pm
Join the Cherry Valley Model Railroad Club in the Arvon Phillips Recreation Center for a model train extravaganza. "Max Traxx" model railroad club from McPherson, Kansas, the Wichita Toy Train Club from Wichita, KS and the T-Nuts model railroad club from Grandview, MO will all have working model railroad layouts on display both Saturday and Sunday. You'll also see Katy railroad memorabilia and can make purchases from a variety of vendors. Always a popular stop for both children and adults! Website link: http://www.cvmrc.com/
Sponsors: Cherry Valley Model Railroad Club

Tours of Union Pacific Engine -
9:00 am to 5:00pm
The Union Pacific railroad will have a new Katy Heritage locomotive along with one other from the heritage fleet on display and open for touring on Saturday, May 24th from 9am to 5pm at the Crawford Crossing. Visitors should turn north on 20th Street and follow signs for parking. (Free)
Sponsors: Union Pacific Railroad

Heritage Crafters -
9am - 5pm
The focus under the crafters tent is "edutainment" - a mixture of education and entertainment. Take your time as you make your way around, ask questions, pull up a hay bale, sit, visit and learn how things were done "in the old days". Some of the skills you'll be able to see this year include: Telegraphy, Flint Knapping, Felting, Handmade trains, Doilies, Woodworking, Spinning, Dyeing, Weaving, and more!

Petting Zoo -
9am-5pm Sat
Popular with children and adults alike, the Katy Days petting zoo is a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of animals. There is no admission charge and no limit on how long you can stay. Just be gentle, be safe and be sure to wash your hands at the hand-washing station when you’re done! Open 9am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday.

High Striker -
All Day
To drive spikes into railroad ties, you had to be strong and able to swing the mallet up over your head. Get a sense of this by watching the Gandy Dancer track laying demonstration - then give the High Striker a try. $1 for three tries. Can you ring the bell?

Horseshoe Toss Contest -
9am Registration, 10am Play begins
It looks easier than it is! Try your hand at this timeless game by participating in the Horseshoe Toss Tournament organized by the Parsons Lions Club on Saturday, May 24th at Forest Park during Katy Days. The horseshoe pits are located on the north east side of the park across from the swimming pool. Registration begins at 9am, with play starting at 10am. The cost is $5 per person. The winner receives all of the registration fees plus a $75 bonus.
Sponsors: Parsons Lions Club.

History Zone -
Located in the north room of the Arvon Phillips Recreation Center, adjacent to Forest Park. In the “History Zone”, you’ll have an opportunity to dig a little deeper and learn more about the railroad that brought many of our families here and about the town founded because of it. Parsons and Katy memorabilia will be on display. On Saturday only, we have a lineup of presentations that we think you will find of great interest.

Katy Days Postal Cancellation-

10am - 12 noon

As a community service, the Postal Service will offer a pictorial cancellation to commemorate Katy Days. The Parsons Postmaster is pleased to announce the Katy Days cancellation available on May 24, 2008. People attending this event may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary post office station established on the festival grounds from 10am until noon. Those who wish to obtain the cancellation and cannot attend the event may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for May 24, 2008 and request must be postmarked no later that 30 days following the cancellation.

Homemade Pies -
10am - 3pm
For the 8th year, hundreds of delicious homemade pies, made by many of Parsons’ best pie makers are available at the Arvon Phillips Recreation Center from 10am to 3pm, both Saturday and Sunday. $1.50 a slice. Rain or shine! Featured pie this year is Chocolate Symphony.

Track Laying Demonstration by the Gandy Dancers
11am, 3pm
A gandy dancer is a member of a railroad work crew responsible for building and keeping the tracks straight. The term is reputed to be derived from the Gandy Tool Company that made the tools and also from the rhythmic and highly coordinated movements the workers made as they rocked their tools to and fro to pound spikes and straighten the track. And you can watch them “dance” as they swing their ten-pound hammers and build a section of track in the park.

Sponsor: Union Pacific Railroad

Excursion Train Ride -
11am, 3pm
How long has it been since you’ve been on a train? For many of us, the answer is “never”! Thanks to the Heart of the Heartlands Railroad Club and Watco Companies, Katy Days is happy to offer two excursion rides on Saturday, May 23, 2009, one at 11am and the other at 3pm. Relive your childhood; introduce your children and grandchildren to what a train ride is all about. Leaving from Altamont, KS, a short 15-minute drive from Parsons, the trip is 30 minutes out and 30 minutes back. Get your tickets at Bleacher Gear (Downtown Parsons).
Sponsors: WATCO, South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, Heart of the Heartlands

6TH Annual Weaver Chiropractic Medallion Hunt -
1:15 pm
Beginning Monday May 18, 2009, be watching the Parsons Sun and listening each day to KLKC radio for the clues that lead to the location of the medallion. Then put on your thinking cap and see if you can be the winner of the $500 prize! The winner will be revealed on Saturday’s entertainment stage at 1:15 pm.
Sponsors: Weaver Chiropractic

“Trails to Rails” All Horse Parade -
1:30pm
A highlight of the Katy Days weekend is the “Trails to Rails” All Horse Parade on Saturday at 1:30pm. With more participants than ever before, an impressive lineup of horses, mules, buggies, wagons and more, makes a pass around the park, showing visitors common forms of transportation before the train came into widespread use.

3rd Annual Katy Days Volleyball Tournament -
2:15pm
Organized by Miss Katy 2005, Darcey Nance, the 1st Annual Katy Days Volleyball Tournament in 2006 was a great success. Several teams even organized on the spot at Katy Days. This year’s tournament will begin Saturday directly following the All Horse Parade, approximately 2:15pm, at the volleyball court north of the tennis courts.
Sponsors: Labette Health

Beer Garden -
5-10pm
Great food, fun and good music. Meet up with friends, relax and enjoy brisket, brats, turkey legs, hot dogs and beverage under the stars. Lots of informal reunions take place at the Saturday evening Beer Garden and it’s a great way to wind up a fun day at Forest Park.
Sponsors: LDF Distributors, Country Mart

The Bluebonnet Banquet -
5:30pm social hour, 6:30pm dinner
The Bluebonnet Banquet will be held on Saturday night, May 23, at the First Baptist Multi-Purpose Room at 1621 Main Street. Although especially for those with a Katy connection, it is open to anyone who wants to come enjoy a tasty meal and an interesting program. Space is limited so get your reservations for the dinner in by May 16th by sending your checks and names of those reserving space to Mary Hughes, 1405 Morgan, Parsons, KS 67357. Tickets will not be used but a listing of reservations will be at the entrance when you arrive. Please include an e-mail address and/or a phone number so you can be notified if space is filled. For questions, call Mary Hughes at 620-421-3453.

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