By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

When the Wild West Festival is up and running, officers from the Hays Police Department is, as well.

“The majority of our people are required to work this weekend because there are so many activities going on; the WWF itself, the parade, the 5Ks, all that activity,” said Chief Don Scheibler.

Scheibler said the festival usually runs smoothly — something he credits with the people who run the show.

“The Wild West Festival organization does such a good job bringing everything together and that pretty much runs itself,” he said. “The Kiwanis do a good job with the beer garden and making sure it is run properly. … Our job is just to be there in case something happens, to provide a safe and secure environment so everyone can enjoy themselves.”

Scheibler added the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Hays State University Police and the Hays Fire Department are all are working together for the show’s grand finale — the WWF fireworks show Friday night.