Cool weather, activities, music draw crowd to Jayhawk Blast

Three-year-old Range, front, and 7-year-old Monesty reach out to pet a Nilgai, an Asian antelope, at the Amy's Kritters petting zoo at Jayhawk Blast in Mound City on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Text and photos by Roger Sims

rsims@linncountyjournal.com

Saturday evening was just what organizers ordered for this year's Jayhawk Blast. After two years of holding the celebration in intense heat, the Mound City Council moved the event from midsummer to September. And that move paid off.

With a slight evening chill bringing out some light jackets, everybody seemed to enjoy the mid-70s early evening temperatures.

Food vendors and sales booths joined kiosks of community groups promoting good causes or trying to raise money. Bounce houses drew scores of kids, and live music from three different groups kept their audience entertained. Meanwhile a car show drew enthusiasts and cornhole tournament drew competitors. The evening ended with a fireworks display over the ballfields.

The bounce houses are a big draw for kids at the Jayhawk Blast.

Brea Dawson and Taylor Snyder were back at the Blast this year with their acoustic stylings.

The weather may have been cool, but that didn't stop kids from taking advantage of the splash park.

The Mound City Library provided kids with touch sensations at its kiosk.

Tatum Freeman and Caden Nicholson compete in the cornhole tournament.

The Michael Pierce Band rocks the evening as dusk falls and the fireworks are a few minutes away.

The Baldwin family pyrotechnicians for the fireworks display include, from left, Matt, Braden, Lincoln and Hudson. The Baldwins had three flatbed trailers full of fireworks, including this trailer of about 30 "cakes," while had as many as 50 or more separate charges in each package.