Homecoming will include vintage baseball
7/23/2012
By The Hays Daily News
NICODEMUS -- Politics and vintage baseball will highlight the 134th annual Nicodemus Emancipation-Homecoming celebration this year. The event is Thursday through Saturday.
The portrayal of five historical figures from the all-black Nicodemus community will begin at noon Saturday.
Saturday is the big day of the event, with breakfast, a parade and baseball.
There's also the politics.
Steven Jones will portray G.W. Jones, the first county attorney; Val Williams will portray Nicodemus Town Company President John Niles; Victor Williams will portray the Rev. Daniel Hickman; Gil Alexander will portray W.L. Sayers, the county attorney; Robert Hall will portray census taker and county organizer Abram Hall; and Tom Wellington will portray county clerk and state auditor Edward P. McCabe.
The baseball game between the Nicodemus Blues II and Hodgeman 9 begins at 5:30 p.m. at the new Nicodemus ballfield.
Kansas football great Veryl Switzer will throw the first pitch.
Saturday's parade starts at 11 a.m. and will include Nicodemus Buffalo soldiers, a drill team from Omaha and floats.
A free watermelon feed is set for 5 p.m., right before the game.
A gospel extravaganza is planned Saturday at the First Baptist Church, and a dance at the Township Hall is scheduled for both Friday and Saturday.
Food will be available as well, including a Bean and Jeans/Greet and Eat event sponsored by the Nicodemus Historical Society at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
People arriving Friday can join a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. for ice cream and cookies. At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nicodemus pancakes are available for breakfast for a $2 donation, sponsored by the Nicodemus Flour Co-op.
Food vendors will be on hand throughout the weekend.
Free medical screenings and children's activities are on tap.
Wristbands for the events are available for $10 for adults and $5 for children.