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A little drizzle and cool temperatures greeted visitors Sunday morning as the Hansen Museum Labor Day Celebration got underway at the Logan Golf Course. While the weather may have caused a few people to hesitate before heading out the door, the celebration charged forward—and before long, so did the crowd.
The cars for the Dane G. Bales Jr. Memorial Car Show were a little slower to roll in than usual, but eventually the golf course filled with an impressive collection of vehicles for visitors to admire. As it turned out, the light rain provided a wonderfully cool morning and perfect conditions for strolling through the car show, playing sand volleyball, and letting the kids burn off some energy on the inflatables.
By 2 p.m., however, Mother Nature had changed her mind. The clouds gave way to sunshine, and the children participating in the State-Sanctioned Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull found themselves working hard under some strong afternoon rays. They didn’t seem to mind, though, as each competitor put plenty of effort into getting that pedal tractor as far down the track as possible. Every child who participated received a certificate for a free snow cone as a reward for their hard work, while the winners also took home cash prizes.
Shortly after 2 p.m., the Logan Fire Department kicked off its cornhole tournament, and what a turnout it was! Twenty-one teams participated in the tournament, adding another lively competition to the afternoon’s activities.
As the day wore on, the cool morning became a distant memory as the temperatures climbed. Many visitors found the perfect place to escape the afternoon heat—the Hansen Museum! The Museum was hopping throughout the afternoon as guests explored Going Places: The Technology of Transport. The hands-on exhibition gave visitors a chance to cool off indoors while having a little fun of a different kind.
By 5:30 p.m., it was time for the evening entertainment to begin as The Innocence, from Kearney, Nebraska, took the stage. The band kept the crowd entertained until approximately 8:45 p.m. with an impressive variety of music spanning decades and genres. From George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning” and classic favorites such as “Mustang Sally” to more recent hits like Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” there was a little something for everyone. The talented musicians and vocalists kept the evening moving and provided the perfect soundtrack as the sun went down over the golf course.
And, as always, Rainbow Fireworks made sure the celebration ended with a bang! For approximately 22 minutes, the night sky was filled with dazzling colors, bright sizzling bursts, and plenty of patriotic booms. It was a spectacular ending to a day that had begun beneath gray skies and a light drizzle.
An event of this size simply does not happen without a tremendous amount of support. The Hansen Museum is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, whose funding supports the Museum and makes it possible to offer events such as the Labor Day Celebration to the public. We are also thankful for the Hansen Museum Board and the many Logan organizations and individuals who step in each year to perform the countless jobs necessary to make the day a success.
Our thanks go to the Logan Lions Club for parking cars; the Logan Fire Department for overseeing fireworks safety and hosting the cornhole tournament; the Logan Junior Class for helping set up tents and operating the food booth; and Michael and Chris Delimont for coordinating the sand volleyball tournament. There are many more people who lend a hand behind the scenes, and while we cannot possibly name everyone, please know that your help is noticed, appreciated, and vital to the success of the celebration.
A huge shout-out also goes to the Hansen Museum employees who work tirelessly before, during, and after the event. A special thank-you goes to Dave Schneider, who has the setup and teardown of the Labor Day Celebration down to a fine science. Being the fellow on a staff of women means Dave ends up with the heavy lifting! Fortunately for us, he knows how to get things done—and get them done efficiently. His hard work and knowledge of all the behind-the-scenes logistics help keep the entire celebration running smoothly.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended. Without all of you making plans, traveling to Logan, and spending your Sunday with us, there simply wouldn’t be a celebration. Whether you came for the cars, competition, kids’ activities, Museum, food, music, fireworks—or all of the above—you helped make another Hansen Museum Labor Day Celebration one to remember.
From a cool, drizzly morning to a warm, sunny afternoon and a sky filled with fireworks at night, it turned out to be quite a day. Thank you for celebrating with us, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
The Hansen Museum is located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, Kansas. Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is always free courtesy of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. For additional information, please call 785-689-4846 or visit www.hansenmuseum.org.
