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Frontier Days fun begins

Opening ceremony gets event started

By Bill Shea 3 min read

Frontier Days 2024 got started Friday evening with a dose of patriotism, some dancing and the deafening roar of three cannons.

The opening ceremony for the annual event took place at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village, just steps away from the tents of the Buckskinner Camp that is a traditional feature of Frontier Days.

Terry Moehnke was introduced as the grand marshal.

"It's an honor to wear the hat," he said of the dark blue cavalry hat he was wearing.

Moehnke is a former Fort Dodge City Council member who championed the creation of the Veterans Memorial Park alongside Badger Lake which is now named in his honor. He also leads the Backpack Buddies program, which provides nutritious food for qualifying children to eat on the weekends. But despite his resume of community service, he said there are others who are more qualified to be the grand marshal.

He said he was looking forward to this morning's parade and joked that he would ride a unicycle down Central Avenue.

Sean O'Connor sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and the Rev. Mike Carmody offered a prayer during the opening ceremony.

The Power Stars, a group of five girls from Vicky's Dance Academy, performed a routine.

The ceremony concluded with the firing of three cannons in a burst of noise and smoke.

The cannons were courtesy of the 3rd Scottish Haggis Militia, a Minnesota-based historical group.

Frontier Days schedule

Saturday

10 a.m.: Parade on Central Avenue

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: First Responders Day

11 a.m.: Cowboy Shoot 'Em Up

11:30 a.m.: Army of the Southwest cannon demonstration

11:45 a.m.: Ventriloquist

Noon: Fantastic Foam Party

12:30 p.m.: Poppin Penelope's Family Magic Show

12:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Infantry drill

12:45 p.m.: Hypnotist

1 p.m.: Peter's One-Man Danger Circus Spectacular

1 p.m.: Spelling Bee

1:30 p.m.: Nick's Kids Show

1:30 p.m.: Powerstars and Gymnastics

1:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Rifle Demonstration

2 p.m.: Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show

2 p.m.: Audi Crooks Meet and Greet

2:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Skirmish

3 p.m.: Beer Garden opens

5 p.m.: Don't Try This At Home Show

6:30 p.m.: Riddled With Class band

7 p.m.: The Brits band

8:30 p.m.: Jesse Kinch performs

Sunday

9:30 a.m.: Church service

10:15 a.m.: Poppin Penelope's Family Magic Show

10:30 a.m.: Nick's Kids Show

11 a.m.: Jesse Kinch Meet and Greet

11 a.m.: Don't Try This At Home Show

11 a.m.: Army of the Southwest Cannon Demonstration

11:15 a.m.: Hypnotist

11:45 a.m.: Peter's One Man Danger Circus Spectacular

Noon: Battle of the Bands

12: 30 p.m.: Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show

12:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Infantry Drill

1:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Rifle Demonstration

2:30 p.m.: Army of the Southwest Skirmish

3 p.m.: Fantastic Foam Party

3 p.m.: Cowboy Shoot 'Em Up

Starting at /week.