By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Get ready for a full day of family fun and live music as Buzzard Bash returns to WaKeeney for its sixth-annual celebration.
The event is organized through the Trego County Chamber of Commerce and the volunteer Buzzard Bash committee. Organizer Niki Mattheyer said the event continues to draw attendees from beyond the small town.
"It has seemed to get bigger and better each year. We live and learn as we host it," she said. "I feel like each year we get more and more community support with the event, which is amazing because we couldn't do it without it. It's really taken off."
The following events will take place near the Trego County Courthouse, 216 N. Main St.:
• Buzzard Car Show, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street
• 5k Fun Run, registration at 10:30 a.m. and run begins at 11 a.m. at North Main and Russell Avenue. $25 entry fee
• Vendor Fair, 9 a.m. at West Russell Avenue
• Food vendors, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at East Russell Avenue
• Beer garden, noon to 10 p.m. at the courthouse lawn
• Jammin' Randy, 12:30 p.m. at the courthouse lawn
• Kids activities, 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the courthouse lawn; laser tag from 1 to 4 p.m. for all ages
• Washers and cornhole tournament, registration at 12:30 p.m., competition from 1 to 5 p.m. at the courthouse lawn for ages 16 and older
Live music includes:
• Oren Hobbs, 3 p.m. at the beer garden
• Isaiah Fabrizius, 5:30 p.m. at the beer garden
• Flat Spin Band, 7 p.m. opener on East Russell Avenue, followed by Sunset Sinners
"We try to offer different music each year," Mattheyer said. "We brought in more local music."
"We purchased several new games for the kids. We have some old favorites that have been there for a while, but we did get some games that are more for teenagers," organizer Candice Beuttenmuller said. "That was asked of us by the community, so we tried to meet that this year."
Last year’s Buzzard Bash drew between 2,500 and 3,000 people to downtown WaKeeney, with more than 150 vehicles featured in the car show. Mattheyer said she hopes for similar participation this year, with many attendees expected to travel from out of state.
"We have lots of cars that come from Colorado and Nebraska," Mattheyer said.
While there is plenty of fun to go around, organizers said the annual event serves not only as a community gathering, but also as a chance to showcase WaKeeney businesses and attractions outside of the city’s well-known Christmas season.
Beuttenmuller highlighted local restaurants and businesses visitors might discover while attending Buzzard Bash. Car show participants will receive packets featuring things to do in the community and information about upcoming events.
"We're really lucky in WaKeeney to have a lot of places to eat. We've got Rosie's Bar and Grill, Table 529, and Western Kansas Saloon and Grill. The Well is an amazing coffee shop," she said.
Buzzard Bash is free to attend with the exception of optional vendor purchases and the beer garden. Streets will be closed on Main Street from Railroad Avenue to Warren Avenue and on Russell Avenue from Sixth Street to Fourth Street for the outdoor event.
A bathroom trailer will be located in the Nex-Tech circle drive off Russell Avenue. Event staff will wear yellow and green shirts to assist attendees.
Mattheyer and Beuttenmuller emphasized the importance of volunteers in making Buzzard Bash possible, including help from their own family and friends. Anyone interested in volunteering can find more information on Facebook.
If there is inclement weather, concerts will be moved to the WaKeeney VFW Hall, 400 N. Railroad Ave. You can follow Buzzard Bash on Facebook for updates.
Buzzard Bash was inspired by the buzzards that roost on WaKeeney’s water towers each spring. Beuttenmuller said the buzzards typically begin returning to the water towers around early April. The event was moved from April to later in the spring because of weather-related issues.
"Bring your sunscreen and your lawn chair, and make a day of it," Mattheyer said.
