71st annual Labor Day Celebration includes Michael Martin Murphey

The 71st annual Labor Day Celebration at Florence will have something for everyone.

Michael Martin Murphey is the headliner this year and will take the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Sunday in downtown Florence.

Diamond W Wranglers will perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday prior to the headliner act.

The weekend kicks off Saturday morning with citywide garage sales. At 1:30 p.m., a soap box derby will be held followed by McClain’s Kids’ Ranch Rodeo & Mutton Bustin’ at 3:30 p.m.

A poker run will be 4:30 p.m. at Grandview Park.

A food booth will open at 6 p.m. followed by a street dance from 8 p.m. to midnight with music provided by the band Justus.

Sunday events begin at 11 a.m. with a community church service at Grandview Park. A potluck lunch will begin at noon. A children’s bike decorating workshop will be at 2 p.m. and sidewalk chalk art at 3 p.m., both at the ambulance building.

At 4:30 p.m. the gates will open for the concert at Fifth and Main streets.

Bring your appetites because a hog roast and other food vendors will be available. The hog roast will include hickory smoked western style brisket and pork sandwiches. Nearly 700 pounds of meat will be cooked.

Diamond W Wranglers will perform at 6:30 p.m. followed by Michael Martin Murphey at 8 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to USD 408 Sports & Aquatic Center, 104 N. Thorp, Marion.

KCBS-sanction state championship barbecue cook-off will begin Sunday and end Monday with winners announced.

A horseshoe pitching contest will begin at 8 a.m. Monday at Unity Park. Contact Bryan Harper at (620) 877-7627 for more information.

Coffee and rolls will be available at 9 a.m., provided by Florence Library board.

A fine arts show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ambulance building. The photographic display, “Dust Bowl in Kansas,” will be provided by Kansas Historical Society.

Car show registration is at 9:30 a.m. at Fifth and Kimball streets. The flag raising ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

The traditional Labor Day parade will be at 11 a.m., downtown Florence. A drawing for $136 cash will be at noon. Button-holders must be present to win.

At 12:30 p.m. the Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums will perform on the Main Stage.

Children’s games will begin at 1 p.m. as will an old-fashioned medicine wagon show. Car show winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m., the same time as the FFA Barnyard Olympics.

Cow chip bingo will be at 2:30 p.m., and another act of the medicine wagon show. Winners of the barbecue cook-off will be announced at 3:30 p.m. followed by another performance of the medicine wagon show.

The Sweet Adelines International, Wichita Chorus, will perform at 4 p.m. on the Main Stage with an ice cream social following the performance. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a drawing for beef.

Kansas National Guard units from Newton and Emporia will be on hand all weekend as will a mountain men rendezvous.

Buttons are $4 and are required for some events. Tickets for Michael Martin Murphey and the Diamond W Wranglers are available at the gate for $25 each.