By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Emancipation Day celebrations in Hutchinson have their start this afternoon.
"We start off with a march from Avenue A Park to the Chester Lewis Plaza for the dedication ceremony there and that will start at 4:30 p.m.," said committee president Vellis Neal. "The dedication ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m."
There will also be a screening of the film, Just Mercy at 7 p.m. tonight. Then the annual three-point shootout takes place Friday.
"Registration is at 5 p.m. from 5 to 5:45," Neal said. "There is a warmup period for the people that are participating. The event starts promptly at 6 p.m."
There will be no late entries. It's a $5 fee to enter and $50 is given to the winner in each category. There will be jazz with the George Sanders Band on Friday night at 8 p.m. along with hot dogs and bottled water available as well on Friday night.
"Saturday is our parade. It starts at 10 a.m.," Neal said. "The participants are asked to get there no later than 9:45 to be lined up. B and Washington is where we start lining up. Then, the parade starts at B and Main and we have to shorten it this year because of the construction going on, so we will be stopping at 7th and Main this year."
Parade marshal stunt person Cassie Craig and honorary parade marshal Darrell Pope will speak and a free picnic will be served at the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the HCC campus following Saturday's parade.