Granada and Wiley Hold Summer Celebrations

Residents in Prowers County enjoyed a weekend of fun in the sun for two annual events, Bristol/Granada Day festivities and the 37^th observance of Wiley Hay Days.  Although each community offered some Friday events, the majority of the festivities occurred on Saturday.

Granada’s parade has been held at 10am the past few years while Wiley’s begin at 1:30pm, allowing time for community members to enjoy both events the same day.  While the crowd numbers were down a bit for each community this year, there was still plenty of entertainment, food and fun for the attendees.

A benefit auction and supper was held on Friday in Granada to raise funds for that town’s first responders and activities on Saturday ranged from the morning Amache Run/Walk for the 22^nd Annual observances.  Argie’s Famous Flyover was held at 1pm and residents gathered in the park for most of the day’s events.  Friends and family had a chance to catch up on news during the evening’s alumni banquet at the school and an open air dance was held from 8pm to 11pm.

The Wiley Lions Club held their traditional ‘sloppy joes’ lunch at the pavilion on Saturday while crowds enjoyed their meal at that spot, or found some shady shelter at the picnic tables under the trees at the town green.  Kids entertained themselves with some old-fashioned games, ranging from a soda bottle ring toss, to face painting, dunk tanks (with a line of volunteers) and other simple games.  Some classic cars lined the side street while youngsters took a brief pony ride and local 4-H members hosted a small petting zoo.  Following the parade, another opportunity to cool off from the summer heat was held with the traditional ice cream social.  A community potluck fed the evening crowd at the Main Street Park featuring Smokin Willy’s brisket and the Kentucky Street Parlor Pickers provided the tunes for those who wanted to dance the night away.

(editor’s note:  I mis-named the sponsors of the petting zoo, referring to FFA instead of 4-H members who hosted the petting zoo)

By Russ Baldwin