HAIGLER TUMBLEWEED FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWD FROM TRI-STATE AREA

Haigler hosted its 7th annual Fall Tumbleweed Festival on Saturday, October 11, and had a large crowd of attendees throughout the tri-state area, and even some travelers along Highway 34. Festival organizers were lucky once again as weather cooperated with a beautiful autumn day.

Village garage sales of 12 sites filled the morning hours. One of the sites was at the new Cornerstone Center for Community Service (former Haigler Elementary School, now owned by the Haigler Community Foundation). The Sunshine Thrift and Cornerstone Mini-Mall attracted much attention. 

By noon, people began arriving on the museum grounds; and the afternoon festivities began. 

Live music by former Haiglerite LaVoine Smith and his Garage Bunch Band of Burlington, Colorado and special guest musicians Wes White and Phalen Sanford of Benkelman, Nebraska entertained everyone throughout the afternoon. Lunch of sloppy jo sandwiches, hot dogs, relishes, chips, and drinks were served at 1 p.m., and over 30 homemade pies and icecream were served by the Haigler Golden Inn members. This year, donated dollars at the Golden Inn Senior Center will help pay for a new front door and blinds for the building. Donated dollars at the museums and food line help support the Haigler Museums.

The Haigler Museums were all open for people to tour. (One-Room Country School House 67 South, Haigler Cornerstone Museum, and Haigler Jail). Many new exhibits were on display. 

The outside stucco work on the Cornerstone Museum continues to progress—thanks to a grant from the Hansen Charitable Foundation.

Festival activities included treasure hunts, horseshoe pitching, maypole merry-go-round rides, pumpkin decorating, and ticket drawings for the many door prizes donated by area businesses. 

The annual Tumbleweed Contest brought in creatively decorated tumbleweeds tied to a fence along Porter Avenue.

The 2014 Maypole Award, given in recognition of exemplary financial support and service to the Haigler Museums and community efforts, went to all the people who have supported the Tumbleweed Festival throughout the past 7 years. A big thank you to each of you.

Plans are already underway for Festival 2015. Volunteers, ideas, and suggestions are always welcome—with the hope that the Haigler Fall Tumbleweed Festival will continue for many years to come.