Gene Autry Days
15th Annual GENE AUTRY DAYS
- June 28 & 29, 2008
- Centennial Celebration
- Saturday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Hardin County Fairgrounds Community Building, Kenton, OH 43326
Cap Guns, Old Toys & Western Collectibles
Continuous live entertainment, featuring Bill Barwick, Call of the West, Paul Belanger, John Buttram, Tex & Mary Schutz, Western Celebrity Look-a-Likes and more!
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- Ohio State Championship Fast Draw Match
- Gene Autry Movies, Gene Autry Days Memorabilia
- Food Available
- Admission $5.00, under 12 free
- For more information, please contact:
- Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance
- 225 S. Detroit St.
- Kenton, OH 43326
- 419-673-4131
Gene Autry Web Site
Please visit the Official Website of Gene Autry, America's Favorite Singing Cowboy.
The Gene Autry Connection
Millions of Gene Autry cap guns created The Gene Autry Connection to Kenton, Ohio.
This tour begins where it all started, the site of the former Kenton Hardware Company that produced the toys at the west edge of Kenton on Route 67. An Ohio Historic marker signifies the location. The factory still stands and was operational as an auto parts manufacturer until this year.
The next stop will be at the Gene Autry Mural and park. The spectacular mural celebrates the history of Gene Autry and the Kenton Hardware Company, while the beautiful park provides a refreshing oasis in downtown Kenton. Final stop incorporates a visit to the Sullivan Johnson Museum, where you will see the actual cast iron toys and Gene Autry Cap Guns produced all those years ago at the Kenton Hardware Company.
For more information on the Gene Autry Connection or Gene Autry Days, contact the Alliance at 88-TO HARDIN or alliance@hardinohio.org.
Gene Autry Mural Project
This mural and park, located on the corner or Franklin and Market Streets in downtown Kenton, was dedicated on June 26, 2004. Representing Autry Entertainment, Gene's long time personal assistant, Maxine Hansen was on hand to do the honors and cut the rope. The mural commemorates Gene Autry's visit to Kenton and his appearances, with his horse Champion, at the Kenton Theatre on August 8, 1938. Mr. Autry, the only individual to earn five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was at the height of his film career during that time.
The mural also portrays the connection to and the importance of the Kenton Hardware Company, home of the Gene Autry repeating cap pistol and Kenton Toys. The toy manufacturer was the only industry in Kenton, Ohio and had fallen upon hard times back in the 30's. In 1936, the company received a contract to produce Gene Autry repeating cap guns. The Gene Autry cap gun became the most wanted toy in America! Besides bringing back all their workers, they had to hire considerably more as shifts were added to meet the huge demand. Records indicate that over 6 million Gene Autry guns were manufactured. In his autobiography Back in the Saddle Again, Autry suggests that it was this toy that reversed an economic decline and "Saved Kenton." Autry's visit to Kenton on August 8, 1938 remains a high spot in local history.
Mr. Autry remained a friend to Kenton throughout his lifetime, graciously granting us permission to use his name and likeness for our annual show. The new mural pays tribute to this true western hero and the Kenton Hardware Company.