Sunday, May 03, 2009

Kansas Sampler Festival Photos

Saturday Mark and I spent the afternoon at the Kansas Sampler Festival in Concordia. I promised more photos.

First of all... there were men in kilts...



I don't know why there were men in kilts. I didn't get a chance to ask because they were busy with Monty's Smoked Jerky of Bird City, Kansas. I'm not sure if this is Monty or not. It is a man in a kilt, however. That I know.



The Kansas Scenic Byways program was there. This is a very cool program that points you toward particular drives in Kansas that are especially beautiful. I see from looking at their maps that I've missed some of them so I need to rectify that very soon. My favorite so far is the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway near Medicine Lodge, Kansas. It's absolutely gorgeous - hilly, rocky and red.



There were ladies wearing watermelon hats...



And they had a giant Christmas tree decorated with watermelon slices to promote the Clyde Watermelon Festival on Labor Day Weekend. You knew I couldn't pass up anything involving a Christmas tree, right?

The Eisenhower Center in Abilene has some activities planned to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.



One of the things I'm excited about is they're having a tea in September. It's part of a series of events to recreate Ike's Abilene. That celebration is going on for months so there's something for everyone.



Jo Schwartz was working on her art where you could watch. She does pyrography.



There were young men demonstrating roping. It was certainly entertaining, although they were so good they were a bit intimidating.

We wrapped up the day listening to the Diamond W Wranglers.



Wow. They're so good. Every time I see them I'm amazed at the sound four guys can create. They attracted a large crowd, even though it was the end of the day.



The Diamond W Wranglers play at Cowtown in Wichita, complete with a Chuckwagon Supper.



It was great to visit with Martha while I was listening. That's Jim, her husband, there with the guitar. I recorded them doing a classic tune, along with Stu's story about his family's connection to the song.






If you have a chance, go see the Diamond W Wranglers. They're really good. As I told Martha after being at a three hour concert they did at the Fox some time ago, "I didn't get bored at all!" Martha exclaimed, "Oh! Wonderful! That's high praise from you." She understood it was, indeed, very high praise. The highest from me, really. At many musical events I'm looking at the program and counting the number of songs until I can get up and walk around. But, not at their performances - I'm completely lost in the music. And I wouldn't say I'm a particular fan of western/cowboy music - they're just really good.

All in all, it was a fun afternoon. We ended with dinner at the Renaissance Cafe in Assaria, which I also heartily recommend.
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