The Hutchinson Emancipation Day Celebration returns this weekend, marking its 137th year with a series of events focused on honoring freedom, celebrating community, and bringing residents together.
Will Miller, president of the Emancipation Day Celebration, and organizer Wednesday Wagner discussed the weekend's activities during an appearance on the BW Morning Show, emphasizing that the celebration is about more than commemorating a historical event.
"We want to bring the community together," Wagner said. "It's not just one day. We want to work together as a community every day. This is 365 days a year."
The celebration commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation and has been observed in Hutchinson for generations as a reminder of freedom and continued progress.
Friday Events
The weekend begins Friday with several activities across Hutchinson.
The annual Three-Point Shootout will be held at the new Greater Wichita YMCA Hutchinson branch, 2000 N. Lorraine. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m., with competition beginning at 6 p.m. Participants can register at the event, and divisions are based on age rather than gender.
Also Friday evening, a Jazz Concert begins at 8 p.m. in the Stringer Fine Arts Center's Reuel B. Dinger Lecture Hall at Hutchinson Community College, 600 E. 11th Ave.
Saturday Events
Saturday's activities begin with the annual parade.
Participants should line up beginning at 9:30 a.m. at B and Adams Streets, with the parade stepping off at 10 a.m. from B and Main Streets.
Those wishing to participate can still register the morning of the parade.
Organizers have increased prize money for this year's parade, awarding:
- First-place float: $200
- Second-place float: $150
- Third-place float: $100
- Best decorated vehicle (car or truck): $100
Miller said about 50 entries participated in last year's parade and encouraged more community members to take part this year.
Following the parade, art show awards will be presented before activities move to the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1200 W. 15th Ave.
The community picnic begins at 12:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, games, inflatables for children, vendors, arts and crafts, and music from a local DJ.
Originally scheduled live entertainment had to be canceled because of a family emergency involving one of the performers, but organizers have arranged for local DJ Lyric to provide music throughout the afternoon.
The weekend concludes Saturday evening with the annual Old School Dance at the Knights of Columbus.
The dance begins at 9 p.m. and is open only to those 21 and older. Admission is $15 per person or $20 per couple.
A celebration of unity
Both Wagner and Miller said the Emancipation Day Celebration is intended to welcome everyone in the community.
"We want to continue to go forward," Miller said. "Everybody come out and have a good time. We don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, so plan for today to be successful for tomorrow."
Organizers hope the weekend's activities will continue a tradition spanning more than a century while encouraging residents of all backgrounds to celebrate freedom, unity, and community together.