Cato Kids’ Day & Cato Day set for October 2-3
The Cato Historical Preservation Association will hold its annual fall events in historic Cato, Kansas, on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3.
Cato Kids’ Day — Friday, October 2
Over 500 fourth- and fifth-graders from area schools will be bused to Cato from approximately 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see presentations on life in the late 1800s and Cato’s history. Students will rotate through stations covering schools, blacksmithing, covered wagons, cattle drives, 1800s weaponry, farming, cowboys and Native Americans, and the day will close with a reading of the Gettysburg Address and a sing-along. Participating schools include Uniontown, Bronaugh, Girard, Lakeside, Liberal, Westside, Frontenac, Fort Scott, Northeast, St. Mary’s FS and Meadowlark. Visitors are welcome.
Stations and presenters:
- Welcome, songs and introduction — Dan Duling, Jim Harris, Katharine Spigarelli
- Station 1: One-room schoolhouse — Anna Swank, Elizabeth & Jamie Thompson
- Station 2: Blacksmith — Troy Kukovich
- Station 3: Covered wagon travels — Carter & Jill Pugh
- Station 4: Drovers — Mel Haase
- Station 5: 1800s weaponry — Matthew Wells
- Station 6: Farming history & cowboys — Judd Bailey, George Parsons
- Station 7: Native Americans — Barry Lynn Linduff
- Closing: Gettysburg Address & sing along — Dan Duling, Jim Harris, Wayne Bockleman
See the full station list here: Cato Kids’ Day Stations/Presenters (2026)
Cato Day — Saturday, October 3
Cato Day, the public celebration of Cato’s pioneer heritage, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Sign-in begins at 9 a.m., but visitors are welcome to arrive anytime; guests are asked to sign the guest book.
- 9:30 a.m. — Music and history in the church, presented by Matt Wells and friends, followed by a talk on Cato’s history by Carl Brenner
- 10:30 a.m. — Cavalry saber drills behind the church, led by Matt Feild
- 10:45 a.m. — One-room schoolhouse presentation in the “Old Stone School,” with Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson and Jamie Thompson
- 11:30 a.m. — Historical re-enactment of the 1860 Settler Removal in front of the Pioneer Cabin
- 12 p.m. — Outdoor lunch break with music by Jim Harris and the Players Circle; pulled pork sandwiches prepared by Shawn Pryer and the Mighty MO Chuck Wagon crew, with proceeds supporting preservation of Cato’s buildings and educational events for local schoolchildren; Shawn will also demonstrate Chuck Wagon and Dutch oven cooking
- 12:30 p.m. — Quilt raffle drawing, featuring a quilt donated by longtime member Sue James of Texas
- 1 p.m. — Hayrack wagon ride to local historical sites, led by Joe Bournonville
- 3 p.m. — Event concludes (all times approximate)
The Cato Store will sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, historical booklets, insulated cups and other Cato merchandise — cash or check only. Proceeds from the quilt raffle, “Cowboy Stew,” books and merchandise support preservation of Cato’s historic buildings and Cato Kids’ Day, held every year for local fourth- and fifth-graders.
About Cato
Cato is the oldest town in Crawford County, located off Hwy 69 in northern Crawford County. From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th Avenue and follow the signs to Cato. Directions are also available at catoschool.com.
The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Cato’s buildings and history, including the “Old Stone School” (built in 1869 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the Cato Christian Church (built in 1915), and a full-sized replica of an 1860s settler cabin. A stone bridge, part of the “Old Wagon Road,” also sits on the property. Cato’s buildings are open to the public only a few times a year, making this a rare chance to visit.
See the full event flyer here: Cato Days 2026 flyer
Photos
Contact: Katharine Spigarelli, President, Cato Historical Preservation Association, 417-825-2127, kspigarelli@gmail.com, catoschool.com.