While car lovers showed off their rolling sculptures last Saturday, a robbery was about to take place nearby. Shots were fired but no one was hurt in the skit performed by members of Hays Community Theatre.

The Barton County Historical Society’s annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show and open house took place Aug. 16 at the BCHS Historical Village and Museum, located south of the Arkansas River Bridge at 85 South U.S. 281, Great Bend. 

In addition to the car show, visitors could watch slot car races, provided by the Golden Belt Model Railroad Association, and two mock robberies, improvised by members of the Hays City Players.

Actor John Vsetecka from Great Bend played the role of sheriff, using his 1929 Model A Ford to pursue the bad guy. With historic buildings as their set, Adam Conkey was the postmaster and Paul English was the depot agent. 

Codi Fenwick played a school teacher and Michele English was the lady buying the ticket. The railroad station workers were Jerrett Leiker and Zachary Leiker. Jerrett Leiker’s character, unhappy with his job and what it pays, robs the depot.

In addition to his Model A, Vsetecka brought three Model T Fords to the car show.

Conkey said Hays City Players will be back in Barton County on Dec. 31 for a New Year’s Eve party in the Historic Wolf Hotel. The five-hour show takes place in the speakeasy at the hotel, and will feature 1920s music and three skits by the troupe.