Imagine starting a single argument with someone over who’s colt was the best and with that single argument a tradition was born, a tradition that’s been ongoing for 114 years. That’s the case behind The Calhoun Colt Show. I’m 1902 Frank Richardson and Bud Straightway we’re having a conversation and Richardson had said something along the lines of his Colt was the best in the country, well Straightway politely disagreed and announced that he had a couple of colts of “good measure”, and that Richardson should bring his colts and they should be compared to see whose Colt was the best. The word got back to the city council, and it was decided that within the city there would be a show of colts and mules and they would be compared, this event took place on August 9th in 1902. John Holl’s mare won best mule, R.B Skaggs won best roadster Colt, and Frank Richardson won best draft Colt. The event was such a large social success amongst the farmers the council agreed on opening the event to the rest of Henry County and that there would be another event on September 6th of 1902. Thus, the Annual Calhoun Colt Show was created. The Colt Show has had 112 successful events only missing 2 different years, during World War 1 and the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. In the 1950’s-60’s at one point more than 10,000 people showed up. Every single year the Colt Show hosts colt shows in the Price Memorial Arena, with vendors, kid’s days, and auctions. Abraham Kohl, the president of the board was asked if this year’s turnout was what they had expected, he responded with “it was a little smaller than usual this year, but we are already planning different things for next year and we can’t wait for that, however our Beer Garden drew a lot of people in, and the Car Show and live music were some of our biggest attractions. The car Show had about 30 plus entries and the Colt Show had about 50 plus entries this year.” I mentioned to Abraham that I had spoken to a couple of people while attending and they had stated that in the past there are usually a some kids carnival rides and that this year they had decided on only bringing in bouncy houses and slides, I asked Abraham if there was a reason behind the change this year, “with COVID-19 being a factor the state only has about 5 or 10 carnivals running right now and as far as maintenance for them, it’s hard to find anyone willing to do that and when I was trying to get quotes for different rides I was quoted at about $5,000 for just a single small Ferris wheel, and because this is an event where all of the proceeds go to charity I would prefer to donate and help the town rather than spend an extreme amount on a single ride, I’m Calhoun we really try to help our citizens out however and whenever we can, which is why we put on so many events like this throughout the year, we want to make sure everyone is taken care of. We used ShipShape this year and they are a privately owned business originating out of Warrensburg and it looked like the kids really enjoyed it this year and we plan on doing the same next year and we are currently talking about bringing in a dunk tank and jousting and hopefully more things for next year.” said Abraham. While in attendance I asked one of the children, Braxton Parker, playing on the bouncy houses what he thought of the Colt Show this year and he said, “this place is the best, I really like the slide because the line moves really fast!” The Calhoun Colt Show consisted of a 1970 & 1971 Calhoun Class Reunion on Friday. Corn hole and horseshoe pitching contest, a parade that consisted of the Windsor fire department as well due to Windsor’s Septemberfest parade being cancelled, and a car show on Saturday. On Sunday there was kids’ day and worship service. On Friday and Saturday night there was live music by Clearwater and Amarugia Ridge Runners. Don’t forget every 2nd weekend of September Calhoun hosts its wonderful annual Colt Show and it’s something you don’t want to miss out on!
