Carrying on the tradition

"Tradition! Tradition! Tradition!" When the cast of "Fiddler on the Roof" sang those words in McCook, they captured the essence of McCook's annual Heritage Days celebration.

Because -- from the beginning -- tradition has been what the Heritage Days celebration has been all about. And, over the years, the traditions have grown.

The annual observance started with the parade, and has since grown to include the craft fair, the prayer breakfast, the 5k/fun run and -- now -- the hot air balloon flights.

Starting the celebrating this year, as it has for more than a decade, is the Heritage Days Mixer at McCook National Bank. If you've missed the festive gathering in the past, make it a point to attend this year. Not only is the mixer a good time -- with delicious snacks and lively conversation -- but it also gives attendees the first word on this year's Heritage Days honorees.

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Heritage Days Mixer, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the McCook National Bank at 220 Norris Avenue. Cost is $4.50 per person, which entitles those attending to scrumptious treats prepared by the bank staff and Sehnert's, as well as two beverages of their choice.

The highlight of the evening comes when the honor family, marshals and royalty are announced. The honors are a tradition in and of themselves, going back to the early years of the celebration in 1973. That's when Mr. and Mrs. Con Trupp were chosen as the first Honor Family.

Cince then, the honorees reads like a Who's Who for Red Willow County, including such familiar names as Kircher, Stoller, Haag, Hoyt, Baruth, Parker, Gallatin, Garcia, Bradshaw, Ingram, Cheney, Harsh, Wallen, Miller, Batty, Trail, White, Klein, Thompson, Harris, Lord, Hubert, Sehnert, Graff, Huff, Leibrandt, Egle, Morrison, Nelson, Hershberger and Friehe.

In 2004, the Ervain and Nadine Friehe family were the Honor Family. Ernest Weyeneth was the Grand Marshal, Linda Hein was the Parade Marshal, Chris Lyons was King and Alison Wilcox and Ashley Kilgore shared the Princess title.

Who will be the honorees in 2005? You can be among the first to hear. Join the crowd Wednesday to find out the latest additions to McCook's Heritage Days Honor Roll.