60th Annual Barbed Wire Festival

Once a year, on the first weekend in May, collectors from across the country gather in La Crosse, Kansas to buy, sell, and trade artifacts from our nation’s past; barbed wire. The Barbed Wire Swap and Sell is one of many conventions held across the United States for barbed wire collectors.

The main focus of the convention is the sale and trade of barbed wire samples, however, other items may also be showcased including carved limestone, railroad memorabilia, antiques, and craft items.

The Barbed Wire Festival was originally born out of a small display of barbed wire in the Post Rock Museum. When museum staff observed that a large number of visitors collected the unusual fencing material, they decided to bring those collectors together.

In 1967, La Crosse hosted the first ever convention of barbed wire collectors with 2000 people in attendance giving La Crosse the distinction of being the “Barbed Wire Capital of the World™”.

Today, the Barbed Wire Swap & Sell has evolved into the Barbed Wire Festival, a family-oriented community celebration with events for the entire family. You don’t need to be a barbed wire collector to participate. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

10:00am – 4:30pm – Museum Complex Open

Grass Park Museum Complex

3:00pm – Early Set-up for Vendors

City Auditorium

5:30pm – Dining on Your Own

7:00pm – ABWS Meeting / KBWCA Meeting*

Hagemeier Conference Room
Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

10:00am – 4:30pm – Museum Complex Open

Grass Park Museum Complex

8:00am – Vendor Exhibits Open

City Auditorium

all day – Exhibition: “Tribute to our Veterans”

Exhibition featuring private collections of military uniforms and equipment

all day – Barbed wire and Collectibles displays

City Auditorium

all day – Trade sessions

City Auditorium

11:30 – 1:00 – Lunch Concessions

City Auditorium

2:00pm – Judging of Displays

Judging forms available at registration desk

5:00pm – Auditorium closes

 

6:00pm – Cookout & Karaoke Night

Dist. 4 Fire Department – 1020 N. Main Street
Karoke by the Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Assn.
(See advertisement)

10:00am – 4:30pm – Museum Complex Open

Grass Park Museum Complex

8:00am – Vendor Exhibits open

City Auditorium

all day – Exhibition: “Tribute to our Veterans”

City Auditorium

all day – Trade Session

City Auditorium
(See advertisement)

10:00 – 12:00 – World Champion Splicing contest

Open to everyone – Click Here for Rules
Prizes Awarded – Winners announced at banquet

11:30 – 1:00 – Lunch Concessions

City Auditorium

3:00 p.m. – Antiques & Collectibles Auction

City Auditorium
Auction fees benefit Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

4:00 p.m. – Auditorium closes

Display Tear Down

6:00pm – “Memories are Made Banquet”

details to follow
 

1:00pm – 4:30pm – Museum Complex Open

Grass Park Museum Complex

11:00am – Community Church Service & Picnic

Grass Park Museum Complex
Non-Denominational Service – School Museum
Free Cookout – Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
Sponsored by: La Crosse United Methodist Church
ALL ARE WELCOME