The Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair takes place on Saturday, September 24th in and around the Smoky Hill Museum at 211 W. Iron Avenue in downtown Salina. The Street Fair is a FREE day of celebration with music, participatory crafts and activities, demonstrators, food vendors and, of course, tours of the museum itself.

The Street Fair celebration begins at 10 a.m. with a Salina tradition; a parade down Santa Fe, from Elm to the Masonic Temple. This year’s theme is “Groovin’ Thru the ‘60s.” The parade will feature bands, dancers, businesses, military and much more.

The museum gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for everyone to enjoy

the current exhibit: The 1960s Part II: Power to the People.

Entertainment is planned on two stages– the Main Stage and The Dock. As the name implies, the Main Stage features our main musical acts. The Dock is geared more toward family and youth entertainment.

This year our main acts are Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, Julian Davis and the Hayburners, and closing out the day are The Blades.

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy were a big hit a couple of years ago and they have also performed at the Smoky Hill River Festival. They are a high energy, acoustic brass-n-grass, five-piece band from Wichita, KS. Their sound, described as “…a stagecoach in overdrive”, is an eclectic blend of punk, bluegrass, and Dixieland.

Julian Davis and the Hayburners are new this year to the Street Fair and they are a Bluegrass, Old-Timey, Western Swing band. At only 15 years old, Julian Davis walks, looks, talks and sings like a soul who lived through the 40’s and 50’s. This small town country boy has evolved in to a nationally touring musician featured on America’s Got Talent.

The Blades are a local favorite and have performed many times at the Street Fair. They play popular and energetic cover songs of classic tunes from the 1960s to today.

The Dock’s featured performer is Jason D’Vaude. He is a self-taught one man circus sensation. He performed at the Smoky Hill River Festival this year and was a big hit. A bit of a daredevil, D’Vaude is a magician and juggler with some comedy thrown in.

The other acts on The Dock include local performance groups such as YMCA Gymnastics, the Salina Gospel Choir, and St John’s Missionary Baptist Church.

Demonstrators will be on hand from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  featuring weavers, a potter, sculptor, and rope maker. Caricaturists and face painters will also be on hand.

Favorite activities for kids of most ages include free make-and-take crafts, the corn box and, with the purchase of a $5 wristband, they can jump on the inflatables the whole day. And, of course, there will be food.

Thanks to sponsorships from many dedicated Salina residents and businesses, there is no cost to attend this day of celebration.

Watch the museum web site, www.smokyhillmuseum.org, for the most up-to-date information and come celebrate autumn on September 24th at the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair.