104th Old Settlers Day set for September 7

UNIONTOWN -- A local celebration set to take place early next month has been a community tradition for more than a century.

Organizers of the 104th Annual Old Settlers Day Picnic recently announced that the all-day event is scheduled to take place Monday, Sept. 7 in Uniontown. Attendees will be able to celebrate the town's historic past with a full day of activities that include, a community picnic, a motorcycle challenge, an antique farm equipment show, a baby contest, a ranch rodeo, live music, and several games and contests.

Two parades, a children's parade and main parade, are also planned, according to Loretta George, the president of the Old Settlers Picnic Association.

"We hope to have a great family home gathering planned for 2009 for the Uniontown community, following in the tradition of 104 years of the event," a statement from George said. "It takes many volunteers months of planning and we are looking forward to it all coming to fruition."

The theme of the event is "Pride and Progress," and businesses, churches, organizations and individuals are being asked to consider making a float for the Old Settlers Parade that follows the event theme. Parade entries need to be submitted by Aug. 25. Organizers are also seeking vendors to rent booth space for the Old Settlers Picnic event. The deadline to rent a booth is Aug. 25. George can be contacted at 756-4692 for more information.

The Christian Motorcycle Association will sponsor a motorcycle challenge for anyone who is interested in participating. Bill Davidson, the facilitator for that event, can be reached at (620) 756-4119 for more information. Motorcycles will be featured in the parade and also available for viewing on the north side of the Uniontown square following the parade. Parade organizer Norma Dunn can be reached at 756-4803 for more information.

George said organizers needed to increase vendor registration fees this year from $10 to $20 for those attendees who require the use of electricity. The Old Settlers Picnic Association raised the fees to help the City of Uniontown install new outlets in the newly-renovated Uniontown City Park, which is located in the town square and serves as the site of many of the day's activities. The new outlets will help prevent power outages that have occurred at past events, George said.

Following the parade, a variety of antique farm equipment will be available for viewing on the northeast corner of the square. Antique cars will also be featured in the parade and available for later viewing at the Baptist Church parking lot on the northeast side of the square. For more information on the antique farm equipment show, contact Herschal George at 756-4481.

A game of bingo will be facilitated by two Uniontown High School cheerleaders, Ashley Feagins and Lauren Rockhold, as a fundraiser for the two girls who were recently chosen as All-American Cheerleaders and are raising money to travel to New York City to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this fall. The game will take place at the community center on the east side of the square. Contact Jenny Tourtilott at 215-4900 for more information.

The community center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for attendees to sit and relax and eat lunch. Street contests will be organized by Marmaton Community Church. Contests that take place on the bandstand will be facilitated by Bethel Community Church. A drawing for various prizes is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m., according to information provided by George.

Members of the Uniontown Saddle Club have added a new twist to this year's ranch rodeo; one contestant on each team must be 14 years of age or younger, 65 years of age or older, or female. More information on the rodeo can be obtained by contacting Cliff or Teresa Hall at 939-4934. The rodeo will take place at the Uniontown Arena located just west of Uniontown.

A gospel and bluegrass concert featuring a performance by the Cole family of Southeast Kansas is also planned. Local resident Matt Wood will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.