GOODLAND — For a more authentic trail experience, the 2015 Commemorative Great Western Cattle Drive has been moved. The longhorn cattle drive will no longer traverse Main Street of Goodland but will instead occur directly on the documented Wallace Branch of Great Western Cattle Trail.
The drive will take place near where the Bray Post Office once stood. This post office was specifically mentioned as a trail waypoint and the location will afford attendees a fully authentic, visual experience of a herd of longhorn cattle being driven on the open prairie on the actual trail route. Bring your cameras and be ready to step back into the cattle drive days with this living history exhibition.
Interaction with the real working cowboys will be afforded. Arrive July 4, 4 p.m. Mountain Time. Plan 25 minutes travel time from Goodland or Edson. From Exit 19, go 5 miles east of Goodland on Highway 24, then 12 miles north on the gravel county road SH 25. Drive 5 miles west of Exit 27 to reach Road 25. Follow the signs. All polite public is invited to attend this free event on a historically located working ranch. The event has a Facebook page. Use the hashtag #GreatWesternCattleDrive on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
The Wallace Branch was the final cattle trail route through Kansas and points north. Because of Kansas quarantine laws, the trails passed ever westward. The Wallace Branch was created in 1882 and used from 1882-85. In 1885, Kansas Legislature quarantined the entire state to prevent Texas fever from spreading from Texas cattle to the homesteaders’ cattle. Great Western Cattle Trail is currently under National Park Service consideration as a National Historic Trail.
After the cattle drive, head to Sherman County Fairgrounds, 417 N. Main, Goodland, for home-owned carnival rides, live music and fireworks. At 6 p.m. carnival rides begin. Ride all night with a $10 wristband. Also at 6, Goodland Kiwanis Club concession stand opens and Goodland Rotary will hold a Watermelon Feed. Country Gold will perform at 7. Grandstand gates open at 8:30 with the fireworks scheduled to begin at 9:45.