Collegio Online

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: After Hours

Media Credit: Shiho Itooka/Collegio

Christin Knowles was booth-shopping when she stopped to view the health and beauty aids being offered at one booth.
"I'm just shopping around and donating money," said Knowles, a sophomore in biology with an emphasis in natural history. She picked up some brochures on staying healthy and then moved on to another booth.
Knowles was one of several PSU students who attended the 2007 Little Balkans Days celebration last weekend, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, in Pittsburg.
"It's a great opportunity for the community to come together as one," said Knowles.
According to the Pittsburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site, Little Balkans Days started as an annual festival during the Great Depression in order to raise the spirits of the community. The celebration was named "Little Balkans" because people said that Southeast Kansans were a loud and outspoken bunch, a reputation shared by southeastern Europe's Balkan countries.
The event has come to encompass a variety of activities. This year's fair had a skit called "Aces & Sixguns High Noon Shootout" that was performed at noon Saturday. The skit was about two cowboys who end up killing each other.
Also at Little Balkans were Army vehicles such LTV's, MTV's and troop carriers that fair-goers could view.
During the day, the streets were full of booths hawking jewelry, clothing, movies, books, kettle corn, home décor, purses and other arts and crafts. A golf tournament and a car and motorcycle show were also featured.
At night, the sky filled with lights and country music as a band played for the crowd. Some set their fold-up chairs around in a circle to watch the dancers. Meanwhile, vendors sold hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and ice cream.
Norman Carr, owner of a booth that sells novelties, hats and accessories has attended the Balkans fest for several years. He says that the turnout has pretty much kept pace with past years. He explained that with a football game that night, the turnout would be greater later in the day.
Pittsburg students might have taken advantage of what Little Balkans offered if they would have known about the event. But many PSU students ran in to the celebration on their way to other places.
"There are more people than I thought there would be," said Dustin Ewan, senior in computer science who was on his way to breakfast when he ran into the fair. Other students said they found out about Little Balkans Days the same way.
Diane Cunningham, a volunteer who organized this year's Little Balkans Days, says the event brought "several thousands of people."
"Of course nice weather always sells," Cunningham said. "We had a great weekend. People seemed to enjoy it, a lot of positive feedback."

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