Event Schedule

Nan & Her Covered Wagon

Nan's Covered Wagon was built at the end of the 19th century in Wisconsin and is fully equipped with bows and cover, tent fly, tar bucket, wagon jack and odometer.  She has traveled five hundred miles on the Oregon Trail with her wagon so she is well aware of the hardships of the people who settled the west with all of their belongings in such a wagon.

Typically you will find Nan sewing, cooking a stew, baking biscuits or talking with a visitor explaining her camp.  She is pictured cooking on her camp fire.  Nan will be presenting programs throughout the day of Children's Day for the children of our community and she will do a special program in the evening for families.

T.J. Casey

T. J. Casey, nationally recognized western and western swing singer, songwriter, and cowboy poet from Montana will once again be coming to perform for the Night Camp at the 81 Corrals.

T. J.'s first musical video of "In America" was released in 2004.  He was also chosen to be a featured performer in a special Christmas music show honoring the troops and their families at Fort Riley, KS, in 2005.  During the special at Fort Riley, T. J. received a surprise announcement that he had been nominated for a Native American Grammy.

T. J.'s "Trickling Water" reached the #5 spot of the Top 10 Western Swing Songs on the national western music charts.

A preview of his evening performance will take place at the International luncheon served on Friday noon at the Morton County Civic Center.

Eric Vaughn Magic Revue

Magic and mystery are coming to Elkhart for our grand finale to this year's festival with The Eric Vaughn Magic Revue.  The family will be totally mystified as Eric presents his award-winning magic and illusion show at the High School Auditorium.  Eric brings energy and theatrics to every performance with his award-winning routines, hilarious audience participation tricks, and baffling grand illusions.

Eric's assistant will astonish the audience with her amazing rope escape routine and Squeeky "The Amazing Chihuahua" becomes the real star of the show with his outlandish antics.

Audiences young and old will be entertained by this spectacular production.

Bus Tour of the Cimarron National Grassland

USDA Forest Service Staff Members will be serving as tour guides and the Morton County Community Theatre Group will perform living history re-enactments along the Santa Fe Trail.   This event is a Festival highlight.   Lunch and bus reservations cost is $10.00.   The Bus Tour is on Saturday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m., at the MCHS Museum.  Buses leave the MCHS Museum at 10:00 a.m. sharp!  Call the Morton County Historical Society Museum (620) 697-2833 for reservations and tickets.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Trail Ride - Saddle Up for St. Jude

The people of Morton County are again pleased to host the Annual "Saddle-Up for St. Jude" trail ride.  The Trail Ride, which has been held annually for the past 8 years, is again being sponsored by Vienna Lee.  The money raised from this event will build an endowment fund to ensure St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's continued efforts in research and treatment of childhood catastrophic diseases.  The trail ride is a one day ride in a 10 - 12 mile secure area on the Cimarron National Grassland where riders can live a little history and take in the natural beauty of the area.


Riders obtain sponsors for each mile they ride, and all the money will be given to continue the life-saving programs at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Individuals collecting $35.00 or more receive a T-shirt, individuals collecting $75.00 or more receive a T-shirt and tote bag, individuals collecting $125.00 or more receive a T-shirt, tote bag, and a sweatshirt and individuals collecting $175.00 or more will receive a T-shirt, tote bag, sweatshirt, and cap.   Everyone receives a "Saddle-Up for St. Jude" patch.   A special Grand Prize will go to the rider raising the most money for St. Jude's.   Presentation of the print will be made at the Chuck Wagon Dinner the evening of the trail ride.

For further information and/or Pledge Sheets contact Vienna Lee at the Morton County Economic Development Office.  Phone:  (620) 697-2275    Email Vienna Lee, Coordinator or Email Lisa Thomason, Administrative Assistant

For Further Information contact:
Myrna Barnes or Becky Ellis
Morton County Historical Society Museum
PO Box 1248
Elkhart, KS 67950-1248
Phone: (620) 697-2833     Fax: (620) 697-4390
Email: mtcomuseum@elkhart.com

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