photo by: Nick Krug

The fiery abolitionist Jim Lane, played by historian Tim Rues, hoists a modified American flag as he makes a case for Kansas to be brought into the union as a free state during a play set in a town hall setting in which various figures on opposite sides of the abolitionist and pro-slavery argument make their cases, Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Territorial Capital Museum in Lecompton.

History will take center stage in this year’s Lecompton Territorial Days.

Sandy Jacquot, Lecompton mayor and Territorial Days committee member, said the event will start with a carnival and entertainment activities Friday and continue with a full slate of events Saturday.

This year, the event will celebrate the 160th anniversary of key events from the days when Lecompton was the state’s territorial capital and pro-slavery stronghold. Those events include the construction of Constitutional Hall and the battle of Fort Titus.

Paul Bahnmaier, a Territorial Days volunteer organizer for more than 30 years, said 1856 was the “high-water mark” of Bleeding Kansas.

This year’s event will include a 2 p.m. Saturday re-enactment of the Battle of Fort Titus, in which Lawrence free-state forces overran the fortified cabin of Henry Titus, about 2 miles south of Lecompton, and were only stopped from attacking the town by a nearby encampment of federal troops.

“There will be re-enactors with a cannon and horses,” Jacquot said. “There were horses involved in the battle.”

Lecompton’s history will also be on display during the parade. Kevin Griffin will address the crowd as Bleeding Kansas Lecompton Sheriff Sam Jones before the parade starts. The parade will feature a float with a scale model of Constitution Hall, as well as a float featuring free state leader James Lane and school children filling roles of anti-slavery and pro-slavery settlers, she said.

Territorial Days started as a community picnic before evolving into the larger celebration it is today with the addition of a carnival and food and craft vendors, Jacquot said. It does, however, still embrace many of the aspects of its origins, with a cake walk, three-legged races, egg toss and community dinner, she said.

Schedule of events:

Friday

6 to 10 p.m., Carnival, downtown

6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Turtle and frog race registration

7 p.m., cake walk, downtown

8 to 10 p.m. Music by Will Treaster and friends, downtown

Saturday

7 to 10 a.m., pancake feed in Lecompton Community Building

8 a.m., frog and turtle races in front of city park

9 a.m. to noon, 18th Century pioneer skills encampment

9 a.m. to noon, Constitutional Hall and Territorial Capital Museum open

10 a.m., parade lineup at Lecompton Elementary School

10 a.m. Sheriff Sam Jones address to parade crowd

10:15 a.m., wreath laying ceremony at Veteran’s Monument

10:30 a.m., parade judging

11 a.m., parade from Lecompton Elementary north to Whitfield Street and east to Woodson Street.

11:30 a.m., community dinner at Lecompton United Methodist Church

2 p.m. Battle of Fort Titus at Territorial Capital Museum

3 p.m., old-time games in the park

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., music in the park

6 p.m., ice cream social in the park

6 to 10 p.m., carnival, downtown

6:35 to 7 p.m., street performance of “Rattler Canyon Returns,” downtown

7 to 8 p.m., The Wicked Liars magic, juggling, tricks show, downtown

9 p.m. to midnight, Shawn Ward and Straight Shot band, downtown