They did it again. The US Center Foundation and the City of Lebanon successfully put on another Lebanon Bash.
But what makes Lebanon, Kansas so unique? A small town in Smith County in North Central Kansas, who now only has one gas station, grain elevator, grocery/café, one Post Office, a beauty shop, museum and two libraries. The world flocks here to film and conduct interviews of its citizens because Lebanon Kansas is the center of the USA.
Lebanon had more population once, but as population declined it became a challenge, but that didn’t stop organizations from recreating a celebration called the Lebanon Bash: smack dab in the middle of the continental US.{{more}}
Denise Davie Marcum, who is the Smith County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau advocate said “Seeing a small town of a population around 200 swell in both pride and people is a wonderful accomplishment and Lebanon Bash does just that. Steaming from the old Lebanon days’ celebration where the streets were filled with activities and people, the modern bash grows each year. Nothing better than smiles and fun in small town America.”
The events began at 7:30 a.m. on September 14th with the ‘Race to the Center’ 1/2 Marathon. At 11 a.m. Sip & Script wood class with Sarcasm and Calligraphy was held in the American Legion. As always there were fun things for the children like inflatables. For the adults there was a car show and the big hit was the Semisaurus Mobile Museum. There were long lines to enter the mobile museum which was free to the public. Also going on was the big bash fishing tournament and another big hit of the day was the Miss US Center beauty pageant. Plus activities for the adults like a trap shoot, kids and adult archery course, corn hole tournament, harmonica class, and a kids movie. A kid’s tractor pull was in the afternoon with children of all ages pulling a tractor competing for feet and inches for first place in their age range. As always there were many food trucks to provide good food for everyone during the day.
MD Schlatter set up in Harmony Park, selling her novels. Harmony Park is rather new and is home to the old strap iron jail, which is under a shelter. It was saved a couple years ago when it was put on a tax auction. It was dismantled and put in the new park where Frank Black had his blacksmith shop for many years that was torn down recently. The hub of downtown Lebanon is the American Legion, which is used for meetings and all sorts of events. Next to it is LaDow’s Market and they serve noon meals Monday through Saturday. Across the street is Betty’s Beauty Shop and the Post Office and down the street is the brand new community building where the Lebanon High School alumni has its banquet each year.
Volunteer Michele Maus Ackerman said, “What seems to have become a new tradition has given our humble town a chance to come together to bring in as many people as we can old and new to growing event our hopes are that folks will return to experience what Lebanon has to offer. It’s a great place to raise a family and enjoy a slower pace of living compared to what can be insanity elsewhere. Our claim to fame is being the exact center of the contiguous United States but with any luck, teamwork, and hard work, we can add the Lebanon Bash too.”
At 5 p.m. the parade began north of the downtown. One entry was the Home on the Range model cabin pulled by a pickup driven by El Dean Holthus of rural west Smith County. His aunt and uncle lived on the property of the 140 year old cabin, and his family now takes care of the property. Home on the Range is the state song of Kansas. El Dean said he feels like he is honoring them and his late sister and brother- in- law, Sharleen and Claude Allen, who lived in Lebanon for many years.
The big event for the evening was the concert of Jason Boland & the Stragglers. Also playing was Sheila Greenland Band, Brady James, and Smith County’s own Grant Lambert. The live music ended at 1:30 a.m. and was followed by a fireworks show.
“Hats off to the community of Lebanon Kansas for another great year at the Lebanon Bash. The community’s total dedication to the success of this event was definitely seen in full form this year. Great job Lebanon Kansas! I am already looking forward to Lebanon bash 2020” said Manda Lyn Wanner who announced the parade. She is a local performer and singer.
The following day on Sunday there was a free hot dog feed and the Semisaurus Muesum was open again.
As a note of interest, Disney artist Willis Pyle is from Lebanon, as well as Fatty Arbuckle, a silent film star.
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