The 2025 Hartford Harvest Day celebration kicked off on an emotional note Saturday.
The event began with a 1-mile and 3K cancer walk benefiting two area residents who have been tackling their own respective cancer battles as of late. James Nunley is currently in his second battle with childhood leukemia and had been in remission for around a year before the disease resurfaced just over a year ago.
Nunley’s mother, Angela Nunley, says she has been amazed by her son’s resilience and “fight” throughout his life, adding that it helps that there are so many willing to step up and support him throughout it.
James Nunley offered his gratitude to the community for its unwavering support and offered a message of encouragement to all while speaking with KVOE News.
Also benefiting from the day’s fundraiser was former Olpe High School basketball player and two-time state champion Maya Bishop, who was diagnosed with stage 2 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in May, just before entering medical school in Wichita. Bishop says throughout her life she has been a part of many great teams and has had a lot of fantastic teammates, but none have been stronger and more supportive than the community that has surrounded her throughout her battle.
Harvest Day organizer Nick Bess says the cancer walk was a great way to kick off the event, noting that Harvest Day is all about celebrating community, so it only made sense to start the day by supporting members of that community.
Speaking of community, the community certainly showed up in droves, not only for the cancer walk, which had close to 30 participants registered, but also for the rest of the lengthy slate of activities, including a parade, kids’ games, disc golf and volleyball tournaments, a breakfast fundraiser, numerous vendors, a street dance and much, much more. Not only were Hartford residents taking part in the activities, but so were community members from Olpe and Neosho Rapids.
Bess says while the event may be focused on the Hartford community, it is truly all about shining a spotlight on the tight-knit nature of small towns and the love and support they show for one another.
Dollars raised through Hartford Harvest Day will go to support a number of causes across the local community. Totals are currently pending.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News and Benita Shank
