COFFEYVILLE — One of Montgomery County’s most notable historic events will be recreated this weekened when Coffeyville celebrates Dalton Defenders Days: Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2.

The event is held annually in honor of the Coffeyville citizens who defended the community from the Dalton brothers and fellow outlaws, who attempted to rob two downtown Coffeyville banks simultaneously on the morning of Oct. 5, 1892. What resulted was a bloody shootout between the citizen defenders and the outlaws. In the end, eight people were killed, including four defenders, with three people suffering injuries.

Re-enactments of the Dalton bank raid will be held at 6 p.m., Friday and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, in the Downtown Plaza.

Other events on the festival schedule include the chili cook-off challenge at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Area cooks will present their pre-cooked chili recipes for festival goers to sample for a small donation and the right to vote for their favorite recipe.  At 7 p.m., will be a live band street dance.

On Saturday will be the Cowboy Trade days with crafters setting up tables at 8 a.m. The General Store will be located at the corner of Walnut and Ninth streets. Dalton Defenders Days t-shirts, pictures, and other souvenirs will be on sale beginning at 9 a.m.

Saturday’s festivities will include children’s games, a pie eating contest, a hot dog eating contest, a Lil’ Miss and Mr. Defender contest, kids’ train rides, checker games, cake walks, crafters and artisans. Entertainment on the street and stage all day will include Clear Water Cloggers, iron pot cooking, a cowboy poet, and a special appearance by Gum Creek Serenaders.  Following the last re-enactment at 3 p.m., Clint Walker will take the stage to round out this year’s festival.

The Dalton Defenders Museum will be open all weekend.

For more information about this year’s Dalton Defenders Days, call (620) 251-3197 or e-mail at daltondefendersdays@yahoo.com. You can also find the schedule at www.coffeyville.com.