09/06/2026
A COMMUNITY TRADITION.
For a century, our community has kept tradition alive through volunteer contributions. Even if you grew up as a part of it, the vast commitment of so many is still difficult to comprehend.
The selfless efforts of hundreds of individuals with ties to our rural area, all working together, is something unique and special to the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Association.
THE OPEN INVITATION.
I would like to invite you to be an active part of the tradition as we kick off the 100th anniversary of the Peace Treaty Pageant and prepare for our annual events that preserve the traditions of Barber County via the Intertribal Powwow, the Ranch Rodeo, the Buckapalooza, the historical re-enactments, the museums, and all the festivities.
We have most of our leaders and project champions in place, but they can’t do it alone. They need your help. I’m not asking you to attend every meeting–though you are always welcome. I’m asking you to be the committee volunteers in the areas that interest you and fit into your schedule. Our chairpersons and project champions work year round and teamwork lightens their load dramatically.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Do you enjoy working outside? We are the stewards of Memorial Peace Park which includes the amphitheater, the powwow grounds, the rodeo arena, and additional pasture–there is much to do and it is completely volunteer driven. Grounds and Infrastructure chairs lead these efforts.
Are you interested in learning more about how a teepee is set and capable of assisting with the manual task of raising and lowering the poles a few times a year? We could use your assistance and would love to share the process with you.
Is historical research and preservation your thing? We are currently working on preserving photos and archives so that current and future generations can access them.
Are you a people person who likes to promote Medicine Lodge? Pageant years present an opportunity to answer visitor questions about ticket sales, lodging, and visiting our area. Volunteers who can man the office for a few hours a week, answer phones, or respond to emails are needed. We can help you become knowledgeable and provide the right contacts to help guests navigate their visit.
For those with host personalities who just want to commit to a short block of time during events, the ticket booths are a great place to do just that.
Our advertising team does it all: social media, print ads, parades, interviews, the State Fair, the art show and more. Become a part of the parade team via Cavalry, Night Show, or Treaty Troupe; or offer to distribute fliers and posters when you take your next road trip.
THE TIMELINE.
As we prepare for the Peace Treaty Festival this month, the rodeo and powwow committees have plenty of prep work to do. Pulling weeds, cleaning, painting, moving tables and chairs, resetting the teepee, and more. The Rodeo Committee meets monthly to organize their efforts. The Powwow Committee includes both local members and Native members from Kansas and Oklahoma.
*Now is the time to ask how you can help.*
In October, we have our biggest fundraiser–the Peace Treaty Banquet and Auction. We rely on generous sponsors to help make all of our events and year-round overhead successful. The auction gives us an opportunity to raise additional funds for larger expenses incurred during pageant years. We spend most of the day Friday and Saturday of that weekend setting up.
During the holiday season, we try to give our year round volunteers a break from meetings. Though there is always work going on at the committee level, we encourage everyone to take a break and come back ready to get back at it in January.
Scene directors meet in early spring with the Pageant Director. With guidance from Cathy, each scene director will fill his or her cast. Some scenes, especially those that involve equines, will begin practicing over the summer. Costuming will happen late summer, and dress rehearsals happen mid-September.
Everything else is ongoing. Advertising for 2027 has already begun and special plans for the 100th are already underway. The Stockade helps us on the phone lines year round, but things really pick up in that regard once tickets to the pageant go on sale.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Take a look at our list of leaders below. Reach out to the person who chairs your area of interest. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me: [email protected].
THANK YOU.
Thank you to those of you who have been volunteering for years. Thank you to those who support our efforts via sponsorship, inviting guests, and keeping our local businesses running. Thank you to the public servants who provide traffic and emergency support. Thank you to the families who share their horses and livestock with us. Thank you to the historians — and community members — who share their stories. Thank you to those who work in the background with little recognition. Thank you to all those who have ties to the Peace Treaty near and far. It takes everyone to keep the tradition going!
EXECUTIVE BOARD - Elected:
President-Joscelyn Nittler
1st Vice President-Matt Forsyth
2nd Vice President-Aaron Traffas
Secretary-Heather Smith
Treasurer-Elisa Stone
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Chairpersons:
Advertising-Ashley Maloney & Taylor Theis
Finance-Sara Whelan
Food & Retail Vendors Chairperson-Tiffany Pettit
Infrastructure-Brant Harnden
IT/AV-Aaron Traffas
Livestock & Equipment-Cody Hamm
Native Relations-Interim-Deb Kolb
Night Show-Kenzie Colborn & Tara Lynch
Pageant Director-Cathy Colborn
Pageant Grounds-Robert Smiley
Rodeo-Jamie Miller
Sponsorship & Fundraising-Deb Kolb
Ticketing-Denise Marsh
PROJECT CHAMPIONS:
Alumni-Charlotte Hoagland & Mary Lou Hinz, seeking new chair
Art Show-Lori Jones
Blank Ammunition-Steve Probst
Church Service-Tom Walters
Costumes-Tammy Lonker & Chris Roe
Craft Fair-Sandy Smith, seeking a co-chair
Entertainment-Aaron Traffas
Golf Course Liason-President Cliff Long
Hospitality-Suellen Bryan, seeking a co-chair
Lodging/Camping-peacetreaty.org/lodging various contacts
Logistics-Joscelyn Nittler
Media Production-Aaron Traffas
Mountain Men/Trappers-Pat McCullough, seeking a new chair
Parade-Tara Lynch & Hannah Brass
Parking-East (handicap/bus)-Steve Cummins
Parking-West of pageant-Anthony Farrar
Powwow Grounds Management-Multiple volunteers
Rehearsal Dinner-Larry Dick
School work days-Taylor Theis
School/scout tickets or camping-Denise Marsh, Taylor Theis
Shuttle Buses-USD 254 (Diane Davis)
Shuttle Trailers-parking-Mandy Peters
Stockade Partnership-Tyler Bell & Ginger Goering
Traffic-City Police Chief/ Sheriff/Highway Patrol
Treaty Troupe-Tiffany Barnes and Ashley Maloney
*Some roles listed were those from last pageant and need confirmed for 2027.
