Founded in 1966, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Center. To mark that milestone some special events are scheduled for this year’s barbecue.
One of those events is a Car Show with registration from 11 a.m. to noon and judging from noon to 2 p.m. and an awards presentation at 2 p.m.
Children’s games will start about 12:30 p.m. with all the classic country picnic contests. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be provided through the afternoon by Mumma Farms and Jeff and Jana Droz. Free face painting will be available for children through the afternoon.
Attention will turn to the serving line at 1 p.m. This year the meal is being catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill. There will be barbecued beef, pork and chicken with baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, bread and iced tea and lemonade. Everyone who wishes to lend a hand to the Center is invited to bring along a cake for the dessert table. Any extra cakes will be auctioned off.
Two area singers, Erica Diehl and Anna Spencer, will be providing musical entertainment during the dinner hour; some of this music will be from the 1960s. Erica is a Rich Hill graduate now attending Pittsburg State, and Anna is a student at Hume High School.
About 1:45 p.m. a unique variety of crafts and collectible items will go on the auction block, headed up this year by Auctioneer Geno Franklin. The craft auction has become known for its quality items ranging from antiques to delicious baked goods.
A popular auction feature the last few years will be back this year with a special twist for the 50th anniversary. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Bell Photography. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win a Henry Silver Eagle lever-action .22 rifle, donated by Bell Farms.
In the same vein, Schlyer Designs has donated a beautiful 14-kt. white gold diamond cross necklace. Ten numbered bracelets, also donated by Schlyer Designs, will be auctioned off, and the number drawn will win the diamond necklace.
These two items, the rifle and the necklace, are worth seeing and you can view a picture of each on the McGennis Youth Center Facebook page.
For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196 or drop the items off at Bell Books in Rich Hill. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.
Also in recognition of the Center’s 50-year history, a brick walkway project is underway. Many bricks have already been purchased, but you will have another opportunity to be part of this enduring legacy with the purchase of a brick at this year’s barbecue.
Admission to the barbecue is $10.00 for adults and $4.00 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.
From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.
