By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County's 110th annual All Schools Day festivities continue this week, with their major event, the All Schools Day Parade, taking place Friday, May 12.
"We're finally after COVID being able to bring back some of the traditional events that were terminated because of COVID, and then that we've been slow to be able to reinstate," Denise O’Connor-Munsey, 2023 All Schools Day Chairman, said.
A major event is the return of the All Schools Day Carnival. The carnival began the evening of May 10 and will continue until May 14.
The theme for the 110th All Schools Day is 'Small Towns, Big Dreams.'
A button contest is always is held to coincide with the theme.
The winner of the button contest this year was Kevin Ivers of McPherson.
"Not only did he have wonderful artwork, his story fits with the theme," O’Connor-Munsey said. "He grew up in McPherson, graduated from high school here, went out to California to pursue his dream of being a graphic artist, did that, and has now come back to McPherson to open a business here, doing his graphic artwork."
All Schools Day has its roots in 1914, when the Superintendent of Schools for McPherson County would travel to area grade schools. These included McPherson, Galva, Canton, Inman, Lindsborg, and Moundridge.
Historically, the Superintendent of schools would go to each one of those schools to recognize the eighth grade graduates.
The All Schools Day celebration was created to bring all of these kids into one place. Being the McPherson County seat, McPherson, Kansas was chosen for them to celebrate their eighth grade graduation. The superintendent now only had to be in one place instead of going town to town in the county.
"That's the the history behind All Schools Day and then it's just sort of grown from that," O’Connor-Munsey said. "It's become a week-long celebration of the kids and education, and it pretty much culminates on Friday with the big parade."
Bands from McPherson County middle and high schools, as well as some bands from outside of the county, will perform in this year's parade.
Area kindergarten and preschool students ride parade floats.
There is als0 the May Day Royalty with a king and queen from each of the high schools. They, as well as the kindergarten 'royalty' in the form of the Flower Girl and Crown Bearer, have their own floats.
A variety of youth organizations also join the parade line-up.
It has not been uncommon for politicians, especially during election years, to join the festivities. According to O'Connor-Munsey, Lt. Gov. David Toland will be present this year.
The McPherson County Republican Party also traditionally holds a luncheon following the parade and both U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran are scheduled to attend.
This year, there is a special Parade Marshal, McPherson native Taylor Robertson.
Taylor Robertson was Kansas Miss Basketball in 2018. She played for McPherson High School, where she set the school scoring record with 1,912 points in her prep career. with 322 3-pointers. At Oklahoma University (OU), she made an NCAA record for 3-pointers in a career.
Other All Schools Day activities include the carnival, which will run until Saturday.
There is also the May Fete. The May Fete showcases the talents of school-age children from across McPherson County and is held on Wednesday evening in Lakeside Park or McPherson High School in case of rain and on Thursday evening at McPherson High School.
The May Fete on Thursday is at the McPherson High School at 5:45 p.m., beginning with a performance with a McPherson High School Jazz Band, followed by the May Fete at 7 p.m.
Events for Thursday's May Fete include:
The Winding of the May Pole by McPherson County kindergartners, performances by area cheer squads and the presentation of the May Day Royalty.
Then after the All Schools Day Parade on Friday, there is another post-COVID-19 returning event, the Madathon.
The Madathon takes place in a McPherson park and is a series of competition events between McPherson County fifth and eighth graders.
This year, in Linnea Park, the same park the Madathon takes place, there will be inflatables for kids to jump and play on. Wrist bands for that will cost $5.
Friday evening will include the McPherson All Schools Day Street Dance at 8 p.m.to 11 p.m. at the corner of Elm and Euclid. The street dance will feature performances by McPherson local artists, the King Midas Band.
Friday's All Schools Day will conclude with a fireworks show. Parking information can be found online. In case of weather, the fireworks show may be postponed to Saturday.
Saturday will see the return of another event, the 5k Fun Run.
Different races will be available to kids from age five and to adults. Registration is a $2 donation or free if you have a All Schools Day button.
The 5k Fun Run will be held at the new community field at McPherson High School.
To have All Schools Day return in full following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it means a lot.
"It's exciting, yes," O’Connor-Munsey said. "I think because it's so visible, it's the carnival that has everyone, probably the most excited just because there's something about when you start to see those rides arrive and set up and the kids drive by and they get excited about it. That seems to be probably the big thing for this year, is that we are finally getting to have that come back."
The COVID-19 pandemic was very hard on the carnival vendors, with many having been put on out of business, including the one that All Schools Day used for many years.
However, not just the return of All Schools Day, but the perseverance radiates with McPherson County.
"There's a vibe in the community the morning of the parade. I will tell you that people start lining up downtown, bringing their chairs down and sitting downtown, usually about 4:30 in the morning," O’Connor-Munsey said. "There's just such a sense of community that we were definitely in danger of losing during COVID, but it's coming back. It's a very special time."
O'Connor-Munsey added, lot of former McPherson County residents and alumni tend to return just for All Schools Day.
O'Connor-Munsey hopes people will keep the spirit of All Schools Day as it continues into the future.
"I hope they continue to get a sense of community and kindness towards each other and an appreciation for what our youth in the community do and how important they are to us," O'Connor-Munsey said.
For more information about the events of All Schools Day, including schedule, visit the McPherson All Schools Day Facebook page or the All Schools Day website.
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