Jayhawk Blast to feature live music, games, and fireworks

Jayhawk Blast, Mound City's pre-Fourth of July festival, will offer a day full of events that will end with a fireworks display at dusk. (Wix stock photo)

Mound City officials and volunteers are gearing up for Jayhawk Blast – a day and evening of live music, fireworks, games, and food – this Saturday, June 24, beginning at 11 a.m. and going until the firework display at dusk that evening. The event will be centered around the city ballfields at 7566 Nickel Rd.

Organizers suggest you bring lawn chairs and even a canopy if you are planning to pitch camp during the afternoon.

The day begins with a car show that runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (registration for participants begins at 9:30 a.m.).

Events really pick up in the afternoon. The cornhole tournament begins at 3 p.m. (registration begins at 2:30 p.m.)

The bounce houses open at 3 p.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m.

Throughout the day food vendors will serve a variety of offerings. Vendors expected for the day include Dippin’ Dots, Maynard’s Food Truck, Doggone Dogs, Perry’s Pork Rinds, freeze-dried candymaker Mammoth Mouth, and Mi Ranchito will be serving throughout the event.

Local restaurant Everybody’s will have a beer tent, and Blue Dog Wine Co. will be serving its slushies.

The city splash park will also be open all day.

Mound City musicians Brea Dawson and Taylor Snyder will perform a one-hour set on Saturday afternoon. (Facebook screen capture)

Live music begins at 3:30 p.m. with Mound City’s own Brea and Taylor take the stage. Brea Dawson and her sister Taylor Snyder have been singing together for about seven years, and earlier this year they began performing to enthusiastic reviews.

“It’s something we’re passionate about, and it’s pretty special that we get to share it together,” Snyder said. With their acoustic stylings, they have become regular performers at The Coyote wine tasting room on Main Street in Mound City.

“We like to sing a little bit of everything – country, pop, and indie cover music,” she said.

Two Lane Highway, which will play a two-hour set beginning at 5 p.m., has been from its beginning a family band. Now in its third generation of the Gilbert family, Two Lane Highway includes a couple of Pleasanton residents.

“Over the years, the family of six, would often play local Elks Lodges and VFW’s to help earn holiday money and bring in a few extra dollars,” said Jessica Gilbert, who is media coordinator for the band. “But mostly - they played because they were having fun, doing something they all loved together.

“Fast forward nearly three decades, the heritage of music has continued with the family playing together, adding in spouses, grandchildren and a good few friends.

Nowadays you can catch them popping up at local music gigs by the name of Two Lane Highway, jamming out to your favorite classic rock, country and crowd pleasing favorites — Making more memories and still just there to have some fun.”

Band members include Will Gilbert (lead male vocalist, lead guitarist), Bill Gilbert (bass guitarist), Bryan Gilbert (drummer, audio engineer), Erika Gilbert (female vocalist, acoustic guitarist), Tim Clifton (male vocalist, acoustic guitarist), and Penny Gilbert (secondary bass guitarist and backup vocalist).

Veteran performers Quite Frankly will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and will play until dusk when the fireworks begin.