For fifty years, the black squirrel has been Marysville’s claim to fame. In 1972, members of Marysville’s city council made it official by declaring Marysville the Black Squirrel City.

To celebrate this golden anniversary, special events are planned for Saturday, October 22.  The City of Marysville invites everyone to Black Squirrel Fest!

Event Kick-Off

The day starts with a breakfast buffet at the Wagon Wheel, 703 Broadway, from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Local downtown retail stores will have guessing games from 9 a.m. until noon; winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to the store.

There will be old-fashioned fun on Broadway Street from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the help of nearly fifty local organizations and vendors. Eight blocks of Broadway will be closed to accommodate all of the fun.

Things To Do

Local churches are selling popcorn balls, caramel apples, walking tacos, Sloppy Joes, slices of pie, homemade ice cream, and other carnival-type food items.  There will be a cake walk and carnival games.  Bounce houses will be on the east end of Broadway.

Other vendors will sell beaded jewelry, black squirrel decor, books, crafts, creamed honey and honey lip balm, decorative cups, home decor, and more.  Several booths will feature face painting and airbrush tattoos. 

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Topeka, will have hands-on games and activities for children of all ages from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Live Music & Art

Live music will be featured in three separate sections of Broadway Street: near the east end, in the center, and near the west end.  Entertainment will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.  

From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Live Circuit will play hits from the 1980s and 1990s in front of Marshall County Abstract and Title Company, 1110 Broadway.  Suzy and the Reckless will play country western, country swing, and rock in front of Blue Valley Insurance Agencies, 519 Broadway.

From 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. two country artists will perform in downtown Marysville:  Ryan Klassan and Lucas Brooks.

The Marshall County Community Band and the Marysville High School band will perform under the awning at Blue Valley Insurance Agencies, 519 Broadway, from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Additional Performances & Activities

“Under the Big Top,” a children’s performance by Dennis Porter, will be at 11:30 a.m. inviting kids to take a trip to the circus where they will enjoy music, magic, and juggling.

Special activities are planned at the Koester House Museum and Gardens and the Marshall County Historic Courthouse.  The historic depot will host a cornhole tournament.  The Lee Dam Center for Fine Art will have a quilt exhibition.

Parade

A parade at 1 p.m. will include the unveiling of the seventeen new fiberglass black squirrel statues to the city’s public art project, Black Squirrels on Parade.  Other parade entries include floats, cars, animals, and a band.

More Live Music!

The festivities culminate with an outdoor concert by Angie Kriz and the PolkaToons, Bellevue, Neb., from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the 900 block of Broadway.

The three-piece band plays mostly Czech polkas and waltzes with a little variety.  Band members are Kriz on the button accordion and vocals; Craig Falls on tuba; and Jason Falls on drums, baritone, and vocals.