The six-day run for Sundown Salute ended Wednesday night in Junction City.

Overall, Sundown Salute Committee Chairman Terry Heldstab was happy with the outcome of the annual celebration.  The after action review will be next week. Heldstab said, The committee we’ve discussed everybody thinking of three positives, three things that we can improve on and we’ll meet next Wednesday and we’ll talk about that.”

The chairman said one idea might involve establishing subcommittees so they have a better committee in charge of each division. “This has been kind of a rebuilding year. We have to get Sundown Salute where it’s not a rebuilding year as often. Last year the Committee stepped in and did a real good job with a limited budget. This year we upped the entertainment, got some bigger names in, overall I’m very happy.”

Heldstab said organizers knew going in that six days was longer than what they wanted for the celebration. But because the 4th of July fell on a Wednesday it was a tough decision. “It really tapped our volunteers because we’re all volunteers. We absolutely could not have done this without city, county, CVB, there are just so many entities that pull together to do this.” Heldstab confirmed there would be a desire to reduce the number of days for the celebration in 2019.

The Sundown Salute parade was an Independence Day highlight in Junction City.

The parade began at the Junction City High School parking lot and traveled down North Eisenhower Drive to Sixth Street and then went east toward the downtown area.

 

The classic rock group, Head East, entertained at Sundown Salute Tuesday night.

The group, known for their songs like Flat As A Pancake and A Different Kind of Crazy, capped off the fifth day of the celebration in Junction City.

Junction City Police Captain Trish Giordano confirmed that no problems have occurred during Sundown Salute. “Everybody has been behaving and we’ve all had a good time. Other than that it’s been great.”

The lineup for July 4th includes the Coors Freedom Run at 7 a.m., the Sundown Salute Parade at 10 a.m., the Veterans Ceremony at noon and the annual Fireworks Display at 10 p.m. The concert lineup Wednesday evening includes Hypnotist Ron diamond 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. and Jonathan “Boogie” Long from 8:45 – 10 p.m.

Fans young and old packed Heritage Park Monday night to hear the American rhythm and blues vocal music group, “The Spinners.” The group first formed in 1954 and today still has one remaining original member, Henry Fambrough.

The Spinners performed tunes ranging from “The Rubberband Man” and “I’ll Be Around” to “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and “Games People Play.”

A huge crowd enjoyed a one hour and 20 minute concert as part of Sundown Salute.  The chairman of the organizing committee, Terry Heldstab, said it was the biggest crowd so far during this year’s celebration. “They’re the most common, genuine guys you could ever hope to meet. They’re just very down to earth,” Heldstab added, “They’re just cool guys.”

At the start of their performance the group took time to thank the Ladies of Order Eastern Star from Junction City for the welcome meal they provided to The Spinners following their arrival in Junction City. And then they opened a one hour and twenty minute show that had the fans cheering and clapping to some of the songs that have become familiar to many over the years.

Geary County Commissioner Keith Ascher and Junction City Mayor Pat Landes thanked the Sundown Salute Committee for their work in preparing and hosting Sundown Salute. Ascher reminded the public this celebration is not a six-day event but a year-long event, the committee does the work for free and puts in a lot of hours. Key sponsor Lacer Motors received a big thank you for helping support Sundown Salute as did the City and County for their efforts on behalf of the celebration.

 

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education will consider pay raises for classified employees and administrators Monday evening. The BOE meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Devin Center.

The recommendation for the Board to consider is one year of movement with an additional three percent on the base salary for classified employees, and a three percent average increase in the salary package for administrators returning to their positions.

Contracts for teachers for the coming school year are not yet finalized. Those negotiations are still in progress.

 

Nichole Nordeman and Aaron Shust performed on the Sundown Salute stage in front of Heritage Park Sunday evening. Cooler weather and an audience of a few thousand greeted their arrival.

The vice president for the Geary County Ministerial Association Brad Seifert said they were blessed and thankful for the entire day. There was a good crowd for the Sundown Salute community worship service Sunday morning. “And then tonight what a blessing it is to have two great performers. So we’re very thankful for the crowd.”

Seifert praised the Sundown Salute committee on their work. “Just to make everything easier for us. They’ve done a great job of promoting.”  He noted about 15-20 churches are involved in the ministerial alliance.

The Monday evening entertainment lineup for Sundown Salute will include disco and soul music. “Kyle and Friends” will perform from 6-7 p.m., Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls from 7:30 – 8:30 and The Spinners from 9 – 10:15 p.m.

Sundown Salute continues through Wednesday.

Transient guest revenues for Geary County are up 32%  for the month of June from a year ago at the same time.

Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Michelle Stimatze said that 32% increase equates to more than $15,000 for the month. In June of 2017 the total was $47,342.56 while in June of 2018 the total was $62,514.15. “We’re really excited. I think a lot of things play into the total. The hotels have been extremely busy this summer as Milford Lake.

Possible reasons for the increase include the lack of blue green algae problems at the lake, meaning more possible visitation. Stimatze stated, “We’ve had a difference in the water cycle out at Milford Lake as far as no blue green algae. The businesses around the area of Milford Lake have been really busy this summer.

Usage of the hotels by families and friends visiting Soldiers who have returned to Fort Riley from a deployment to Europe could be another factor.

The transient guest tax is paid by users of lodging facilities in Geary County.

 

 

Country music performer Ty Herndon was the centerpiece of the entertainment at Sundown Salute Saturday evening in Heritage Park.  Organizers estimated a few thousand people were in the park for that concert and others that also included performances by the Adam Capp Band and Jaron Bell.

The chairman of the Sundown Salute Committee, Terry Heldstab, enjoyed Herndon’s performance, noting he has a great stage presence. Mick Wunder, Entertainment Coordinator, said Herndon is Grammy nominated and has a series of number one hits. “He does a great job, he’s a good entertainer, and I think a lot of the people our age enjoyed the music tonight.” It was Herndon’s first appearance in this area since a Country Stampede appearance about 20 years ago.

Heldstab said organizers were worried for awhile about the weather. “We’re lucky bad weather did not hit us. It was hot, it’s affected sales, it’s affected attendance, but overall I think things have gone well.

The Sunday activities at Sundown Salute include the nondenominational church service sponsored by the Geary County Ministerial Alliance from 9:30 – 11 a.m. in the downtown Heritage Park area, Christian music in the evening including Nichole Nordeman from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. and Aaron Shust from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. Shust was named the Songwriter of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards of 2007 and his song, “My Savior My God,” received the Song of the Year award.

Also continuing Sunday will be the Ottaway Amusement Carnival from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. plus the food and craft vendors along with the Kids Zone Bounce A Roos from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and The Water Wars Ultimate Balloon Game from 1 – 5 p.m.

 

 

A new event at Sundown Salute this year was the JC Has Singing Talent competition. The finals were held on the concert stage in downtown Junction City Friday evening.

According to the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the winners included Justin Black in the Adult category, Rebekah Vega in the Teen division, and Elliadota Ibarra in the Youth category. The winners posed on stage with CVB Director Michelle Stimatze.

Sundown Salute 2018 has begun.

The coordinator of the planning committee Terry Heldstab, noted it was hot but there was a nice crowd. “I’m happy with the first day. We always wish we had a bigger crowd, but I think people stuck around. I think the vendors are happy, the people really use the vendors, sales have been good I think.”

No problems were reported for law enforcement or firefighters as the crowd enjoyed the musical performances on red dirt country night.

Volunteer Coordinator Dana Weigand did put out a plea for volunteers. “Any volunteers or people that would like to volunteer come on down and see us. We’ve got open slots. I’m really looking for some adults to step in for an hour or so.” She added some lost property has also been turned to Sundown Salute officials. You can check on that at the information booth in Heritage Park, if you have lost some property during the celebration downtown.

The Ottaway Amusement Carnival began its six night run on Friday evening as part of Sundown Salute.

The Saturday night lineup will include country and western music featuring Ty Herndon.