GRAND DAY FOR HAIGLER TUMBLEWEED FESTIVAL

 Haigler hosted its 8th annual Fall Tumbleweed Festival on Saturday, October 17.  A beautiful autumn day of sunshine and temps in the mid 70's brought people from throughout the tri-state area, Omaha, North Dakota, and Denver to attend the event.   Village wide garage sales in the morning began the day.  Banners, flags,and festively decorated museum grounds welcomed attendees for all the afternoon activities. 

  

Tumbleweed entries were creatively displayed along a fence on Porter Avenue.  First place winner was Mattie Daniels from Benkelman.  New this year for the festival were crafters tents and a chili cook off.  Both were very successful and will be held again next year.  

There were 8 entries in the chili cook off with the first place winner from St. Francis--Dustin Wiley.  Roasters of chili and hot dogs were served under the tents next to the One-Room Country Schoolhouse Museum.  

Homemade pies (33 pies were consumed) at the Haigler Golden Inn Senior Center.  

Throughout the afternoon, former Haiglerite LaVoine Smith and the Garage Bunch Band from Burlington, CO  and Phalen Sanford from Benkelman entertained the crowd with their music and singing. 

 

Pumpkin decorating (30 pumpkins) out of the back of a pickup was great fun for all the kids; and over 22 spooks entered the traditional spook parade at the close of the afternoon's activities. 

Local photographer Bill Coe of Max and free lance photographer Theo Stroomer of Denver  were busy snapping pictures throughout the day.  

The 2015 Maypole Award was presented to Monica Mercer of Benkelman for all her creativity, talents, and support of projects and events sponsored by the Haigler Community Foundation.  Monica designs all the event fliers for the Foundation.

 

A big thank you to everyone who attended, to everyone who donated dollars for the festival, and to all the super businesses and individuals in Haigler, Benkelman, Wray, St. Francis, and McCook who donated door prizes and/or gift certificates.  This annual Tumbleweed Festival is successful because of all of you.  This event is the only fundraiser throughout the year for the Haigler Museums.  Most of this year's donations will go towards the continuing restoration work of 'the station' on Highway 34--which is a part of the Haigler Cornerstone Museum.

Tumbleweed Festival in Haigler - October 17

COMING SOON--OCTOBER 17--HAIGLER TUMBLEWEED FESTIVAL

 

It's October--and that means Tumbleweed Festival Time again in Haigler.  The 8th annual Haigler Fall Tumbleweed Festival will be Saturday, October 17 on the Haigler Museum grounds south of Golden Rod Highway 34 and Porter Avenue.  Everyone is invited for this traditional event of fun-filled and enjoyable activities, great live music, and delicious food.  The museum grounds will be decorated for you, tents will be up, and flags will be flying.  Event planners encourage you to bring your lawn chair for the afternoon activities.  Admission is free but donations for Museum projects would be appreciated.

 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a decorated tumbleweed.  All registered tumbleweeds will be displayed in front of the One-Room Schoolhouse Museum, and cash prizes will be awarded.

 

Schedule of Events:

The day begins with village wide garage sales from 9 a.m. to noon MT.  Site maps will be available at The Station on Hwy. 34 and Porter Avenue and at the Haigler Country Cafe.  Jellies, canned goods, fresh baked cookies, brownies, breads, and treats will be available to purchase.   The Sunshine Thrift at the Cornerstone Center for Community Service will be having a $4 bag sale on merchandise, and the Mini-Mall shoppers will receive 50% off.  The Haigler Depot Library at the Center will also be open.

 

Lunch begins at 1 p.m. under the tents on the museum grounds.  New this year is a Chili Cook Off.  Your votes will choose the winner.  If interested in being a contestant, contact LaNeta at 308-340-1689.  Hot dogs, relish, & chips will also be served.  The Haigler Golden Inn will be serving homemade pies with icecream.

 

Live music will be performed throughout the afternoon with The Garage Bunch Band from Burlington, Colorado, and special guest guitarist/songwriter Phalen Sanford of Benkelman, Nebraska.  Afternoon activities include treasure hunts, horseshoe pitching, Maypole Merry-Go-Round rides, pumpkin decorating, games, face painting, and kids sparkly manicures.

 

New this year will be craft tents along with the Haigler Street Cat Assistance Program and Jellies/Baked goodies tents.  There will be name drawings for many great prizes donated by community businesses and individuals throughout the tri-state area.  Be sure to get your name in the jar.  The annual Maypole Award will also be presented.

 

At 3:30 p.m., the traditional Tumbleweed/Spook Parade for kids of all ages (includes adults) will begin in front of the Country Schoolhouse Museum.  People (costumed and plain), bicycles, tricycles, wagons, pull floats are all welcome; but no large motorized vehicles.

 

Open House at Haigler Museums:

Throughout the afternoon of Tumbleweed Festival, there is open house at the Haigler One Room Country Schoolhouse 67 South Museum, the Haigler Cornerstone Museum, The Station, and the Haigler Jail.  Festival goers will find many new items on display inside the museums and also notice the new  outside stucco and paint work at the Cornerstone Museum and the Station.  Donations to support the museums are tax deductible through the Haigler Community Foundation. 

 

It's Happening again in Haigler--so come spend the day in Haigler on Saturday , October 17, and enjoy the Tumbleweed Festival.