KNOX, Pa. (EYT) — Horsethief Days will begin on Saturday, August 12, in Knox.
The week-long community festival runs until Saturday, August 19.
All events at Horsethief Days are free to the public.
On Saturday, August 12, the event kicks off with the softball tournament and Legion Riders Texas Style BBQ Brisket Dinner.
For more information on the softball tournament, call Jason McMillen at 814-221-8310.
The price for the BBQ dinner is $8.00 per plate and is open to the public. Takeouts are available.
The softball tournament continues on Sunday, and there will be a community picnic and a Vesper service.
This year’s Horsethief Days will include some new activities, such as a Wednesday evening push lawn mower race and a Community Walk held on Thursday evening at SMILES Park.
Horsethief Days Chairman Ron Best said he is very proud of the community involvement that goes into putting on such a large event.
“We’re so fortunate to have the support of so many community groups and businesses to help put this on,” Best said. “The Clarion County Rod & Gun Club does so much to help run it, and the American Legion, Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge — the sponsors, the businesses, everyone works together to get it done.”
“Everyone’s excited waiting for things to begin. Now, we’re just praying for good weather,” Best continued.
Throughout the week, there will be yard sales, a baby contest, a soap box race, a bike race, and tractor races.
Friday’s highlights include the Legion Riders Bike Night.
The Jeep Invasion begins on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., and the John Winkler Memorial Car Cruise and Tractor Show begins at 11:00 a.m.
The event concludes with the Firemen’s Parade at 5:30 p.m., an ice cream social at Knox United Methodist Church following the parade, and fireworks at dusk.
The Knox Volunteer Fire Department Citizen of the Year, Daryl Wetzel, will be recognized, and the baby contest winners will be announced on Saturday.
History of Horsethief Days
Knox gained its reputation as the Horsethief Capital of the United States through the operations of Sebastian “Boss” Buck, who was touted as the most notorious horse thief in US history. He and his gang continuously moved a string of stolen horses along a trail from Kentucky to Maine.
Clarion County was renowned for its horse thieves in the 1800′s. The county had this reputation because it is the only locale in the eastern U.S. where a man was hung as a horse thief. Horse thieving relates to the Buck family because one of the most famous of the thieves was Buck. Although he was a known horse thief, he was never convicted of this crime. Boss was not hung as a horse thief, but he did spend about five years in jail for counterfeiting.
Horsethief Days originated back when Sebastian (Boss) Buck started stealing horses and altering their appearance, so when he sold them that the real owners wouldn’t discover that the horses that Boss was selling were theirs. Boss wasn’t an educated man, but he was the planner of all the schemes and had the intelligence, power, and daring, to be the leader of the horse thieves.
According to bossbuck.blogspot.com, Buck lived up to certain standards that kept him in the good graces of those who looked upon his livelihood with scorn. He would not permit the theft of a horse from a person who could not afford to lose the animal.
Like Jesse James, there are innumerable stories in circulation as to his acts of kindness, his generosity as well as his desperation.
It is said that Buck did not sanction cruelty or murder on the part of his clansmen. Horse stealing and counterfeiting seemed to be his vocation. Eagle Furnace, Bear Creek, and just west of Parker’s Landing were three distinct counterfeiting plants under the direction of Buck.
For more information, visit www.knoxborough.com.
Full Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 12
8:00 a.m. — Softball Tournament at Knox Ball Fields
Noon to 6:00 p.m. — Sons of the American Legion Post 720 Texas-style BBQ
Sunday, August 13
8:00 a.m. — Softball Tournament at Knox Ball Fields
2:00 p.m. — Gokit Soap Box Racing, South Main Street (Rain date August 19)
5:00 p.m. — Community Picnic at Knox Community Park (hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks provided) Please bring a covered dish.
6:30 p.m. — Vesper Service at Knox Community Park
Wednesday, August 16
5:00 p.m. — Tractor Race Registration and Meeting
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. — Rod & Gun Community Picnic at Rod & Gun Club
6:00 p.m. — Tractor Race
7:00 p.m. — Push Lawnmower Race
7:00 p.m. — Music by Mis B Havin’ at Main Street Stage
Thursday, August 17
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. — Senior Citizens Free Breakfast at Presbyterian Church
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Community Yard Sales
5:00 p.m. — Corn Hole Tournament Registration at 512 Main
6:00 p.m. — Corn Hole Tournament, Main Street
6:30 p.m. — Knox Community Walk at SMILES Park
7:00 p.m. — Music by Jam Band Jami, Main Street Stage
8:00 p.m. — Bed Race & Obstacle Course Challenge, Main Street
Friday, August 18
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Community Yard Sales
4:45 p.m. — Lions Club Bike Race Signup
5:00 p.m. — Lions Bike Race
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. — Power Wheels Derby, north of stage/Main Street
6:00 p.m. — Lake Erie Garden Tractor Pulls, behind Knox Fire Hall, registration at 5 p.m. Contact lakeeriepulling.com for more information
7:00 p.m. — Legion Riders Chapter 720 Bike Night, south of stage, Main Street
7:00 p.m. — Music by Arcade, Main Street Stage
Saturday, August 19
9:00 a.m. — ? — Firemen’s Hot Sausage, Main Street
10:00 a.m. — ? — Lion’s Chicken BBQ, Fire Hall
7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Edenburg Lodge Breakfast (Buckwheat/Pancake/Sausage), Lodge building on State Street (upstairs beside Knox Video)
7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Breakfast at Rod & Gun Club
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Street Sales (Crafts/Food/Vendors)
9:00 a.m. — ? — Vendor and craft sales, behind Fire Hall — Old Sharp Shopper lot
9:00 a.m. — Jeep Invasion, behind Knox Fire Hall
10:00 a.m. — Bingo at Rod & Gun Club
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — John Winkler Memorial Car Cruise & Tractor Show
11:00 a.m. — Edenburg Lodge BBQ Pulled Pork & Ribs
Noon to 3:00 p.m. — Bingo (SMILES — Old Bank)
4:30 p.m. — Lineup for Power Wheels, Pedals and Paws Parade, next to Knox Borough building
4:45 p.m. — Power Wheels, Pedals and Paws Parade
5:00 p.m. — Recognize Citizen of Year and Baby Contest Winners Announced
5:30 p.m. — Fireman’s Parade
Before/After Parade — The Keister’s (Main Street Stage)
After Parade — Ice Cream Social, Knox United Methodist Church
7:00 p.m. — Keystone Soccer Scrimmage at Keystone High School (concessions available)
After Dark — Fireworks at KHS Football area
