Travel Kansas 2016 by Susan Burdick

Kansas, Naturally

The best sunsets, sunflowers, scenery and even waterfalls

State sites help celebrate National Parks centennial

On Tap

Homegrown breweries make tasty destinations

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Welcome to Travel Kansas For more than two decades we’ve had the pleasure of sharing the best Kansas has to offer with you. As the National Park Service celebrates the centennial of its founding this year, there is no better time to see Kansas’ five unique contributions: the largest remaining swath of tallgrass prairie in the world; two sites that are an integral part of African-American history; and two forts that protected early settlers. We are also excited to showcase the state’s natural wonders through the eyes of some of the state’s best photographers: Harland Schuster, Jim Griggs and Mickey Shannon. On their websites you can see work they’ve done from around the world, and yet some of their favorite sites are right here in Kansas. Take the time to experience places like Abilene, Atchison, Emporia and Independence, small towns which produced the likes of President Dwight Eisenhower, aviatrix Amelia Earhart, and Pulitzer Prize winners William Allen White and William Inge. Let their independent spirits be signposts as we look down the road ahead.

Around Kansas

Dodge City named No. 2 Old West town Liberal pancake racers keep on flippin’ Salina craft fair ranks in top 50 Chisholm Trail kicks off sesquicentennial Flint Hills Barn Quilt Trail gets bigger

Saluting Amelia Earhart

Aviatrix at heart of Atchison’s 20th annual festival

Taking the High Road

Highway 24 offers historic, scenic glimpses

Orphan Train Museum Finds Kansas Home

Nation’s only museum dedicated to the movement preserves stories

Kansas, Naturally

From unexpected rock formations to spectacular sunsets and waterfalls, the state has no shortage of natural wonders

Keep traveling Kansas, Cynthia Mines, Publisher|Editor

2016 Travel Kansas

LB. BREWING

™

A Wichita Times Publication

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Cynthia Mines ART DIRECTOR Susan Burdick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lisa Waterman Gray, Erica Prather, Bethaney Wallace

COVER PHOTO

Fields of sunflowers are a common sight in August and September. This one is in Brown County. Photo by Harland Schuster PUBLISHED BY

The Wichita Times®

Craft Beer Revival

Kansas brewers regain momentum lost during decades of Prohibition

MICKEY SHANNON

National Parks Celebrate 100 Years

The centennial is a good time to visit Kansas’ five sites

Lions and Tigers and Frogs, Oh My!

Rolling Hills Zoo welcomes frogs from around the world

Calendar Highlights

Balloon festivals, symphonies,fairs, rodeos and parades abound

The annual pancake event begins in Liberal on Saturday with pancake eating and flipping contests, a parade and a talent show. It culminates on Shrove Tuesday with the main race. For more info, visit pancakeday.net.

Chisholm Trail kicks off 150th anniversary Abilene will host the inaugural event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the blazing of Chisholm Trail on Labor Day weekend in 2016. With a theme of Trail, Rails and Tales: the Spirit of the Chisholm Trail, the kick-off event Sept. 3-4 will be the first of several planned for 2017 in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Chisholm Trail. The trail used by Texas cattle ranchers to drive their herds north to the railroad in Abilene, Kan., was made famous through stories, movies and songs. The first shipment of Texas longhorns left Abilene via east-bound rail on Sept. 5, 1867. The weekend will include longhorn cattle being loaded and carried out of town by steam locomotive in addition to train rides, a parade, melodrama, carriage and stage coach rides, cowboy poets and musicians, historic re-enactors, storytellers, chuckwagon cook-off, can-can girls and a buckaroo camp for kids. For more information, visit abilene kansas.org.

Liberal’s challenge to race the women of Olney, England, began 66 years ago. The Olney pancake-flipping race tradition dates back 560 years.

Liberal women stay ahead in pancake race Though Liberal lost the 2016 International Pancake Day race in February to a record-breaking runner in Olney, England, the Kansas city maintains the overall lead by 37-29. Liberal’s next festival, which has grown to a four-day event, will be Feb. 2528, 2017. The annual rivalry between the pancake-flipping women of Liberal and Olney dates back to 1950 when the president of the Liberal Jaycees saw a magazine photo of the Olney women racing to church. He contacted a vicar in Olney and challenged them to a race. Since then, the race has

taken place each Shrove Tuesday (also known as Fat Tuesday) on the eve of Lent. The tradition of flipping pancakes in Olney goes back much further, to 1445 when a woman was trying to use up cooking fats, which were forbidden during Lent. She was making pancakes when the church bells rang for the shriving service. The woman grabbed her head scarf and ran to church, still wearing her apron and holding the skillet and pancake. Neighbors joined in following years, racing to see who could reach the church first. Now women in both cities don aprons and head scarves to sprint the 415-yard course while carrying a frying pan and pancake.

Salina craft fair one of country’s 50 best The Four Rivers Craft Show at Salina’s Smoky Hill River Festival is the 42nd best craft fair in the country, according to the 2015 Art Fair SourceBook ranking. It was the only show last year in Kansas that ranked in the top 100, and one of 11 shows in the Midwest to make the Fine Craft Top 50. Set in Oakdale Park, last year’s craft show attracted 53 exhibitors who sold more than $449,000 in ceramics, leather, clothing, glass, metal, baskets, jewelry and other mediums. The Smoky Hill River Festival, which this year is June 9-12, also includes art installations, demonstrations and a juried fine arts show on Saturday and Sunday. The Four Rivers Craft Show is Friday-Sunday. For more information, visit riverfestival.com.

Flint Hills Barn Quilt Trail continues to grow The Great Overland Station in Topeka is showing several barn quilts in an exhibition titled “Painted Quilts Across the Flint Hills” on display until April 30. For those who’d like to see the barn quilts in their natural environment, check out the map on KsFlintHillsQuilt Trail.com to see where the 341 barn quilts are located.

Sampler Foundation plans new book, event The 27th version of the Kansas Sampler Festival will be May 7-8 in Winfield. The 2017 festival, also in Winfield, will be the last time the state is showcased in one location, as it has been since starting on the Penner farm near Inman in 1990. After outgrowing the space on the farm, the annual festival began moving to different locations every two years in 1998. “The festival has been a tremendous event for the whole state and has helped people see that Kansas has a lot to offer,” said Marci Penner, foundation director.

a longhorn cattle driven down Wyatt Earp Boulevard on Aug. 6. The 56th annual Dodge City Days July 29-Aug. 7 will feature more than 50 events, including PRCA rodeos, parades, concerts, bull riding, arts and crafts, street dances and a classic car show. For information, call 800-OLD-WEST or go to VisitDodgeCity.org.

Plans are under way for a Kansas Road Festival to feature a region of the state during the first weekend in May, beginning in 2018, according to Penner. The Sampler Foundation is also working on an updated version of its “Kansas Guidebook for Explorers” with hopes for publication in November 2016. “We went to each of the 626 incorporated cities in Kansas to find more than 3,800 things to share,” Penner said. More than 270 exhibitors will represent 142 Kansas communities at the 2016 Sampler Festival. For more information, go to www.kansassamplerfestival.com.

Dodge City named No. 2 western town for 2016 The famous frontier town of Dodge City took second place in True West magazine’s 2016 ranking of the Top Western towns. Dodge City was beat only by Lubbock, Texas. Dodge City is unique in terms of its Western heritage,” said Bob Boze Bell, executive editor. “Not only in terms of history but the many museums and annual heritage events.” Founded in 1872, the wild former railhead gained notoriety for clashes between Texas cowboys and legendary lawmen such as Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. The town gained national fame as the setting for the long-running TV series “Gunsmoke.” Dodge City is home to the Boot Hill Museum, which includes an 1876 replica Front Street, Long Branch Saloon and the original Boot Hill cemetery. A trolley transports visitors past the city’s historic sites. The 2016 Dodge City Days will include

Founded 150 years ago, Wamego is home to a historic windmill.

Wamego gears up for 150th birthday

CYNTHIA MINES

Just like a century ago, longhorn cattle will take to the streets of Dodge City in 2016.

The city of Wamego will kick off its 150th anniversary celebration by serving birthday cake April 16 at the annual Tulip Festival. The main event will be Party on Main June 12 which will recall Saturday evenings of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s when Wamego residents would park their cars on Lincoln Avenue and spend time socializing. The June 12 event will include food, games and a beer garden. The city will also celebrate at its Kaboom! Fourth of July event, and a farm-related event Aug. 22-23 will feature barnyard animals, old-fashioned games and tractors. Wamego will conclude the celebration Sept. 9-11 with discussions of what the town will look like in another 50 years and sealing of a time capsule at City Hall. The town of Wamego was platted in 1866 along a rail line and named for a Potawatomi Native American chief. Wamego is home to the Oz Museum and an 1870s Dutch windmill. For more info, go to wamego150.com.

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Atchison salutes Amelia Earhart with 20th annual summer festival

tchison’s annual tribute to its hometown hero, aviatrix Amelia Earhart, will pull out all the stops this year to celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary. Scheduled for July 15-16, the 20th annual Amelia Earhart Festival includes a music, food and craft fair downtown as well as educational presentations, children’s activities and a carnival. The festival opens with LakeFest, an evening outdoor concert at Warnock Lake with country music stars Tyler Farr, Frankie Ballard and RaeLyn. The grand finale starts with aerobatic performances over the Missouri River followed by a Concert in the Sky choreographed fireworks display illuminating the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge. The dusk display annually attracts about 35,000 people. Julie Krone, the first woman jockey to win a Triple Crown race and the first woman inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, will receive the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award at a Saturday luncheon. Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison on July 24, 1897, in a home built by her grandfather in the early 1860s. The home is owned and operated as a museum by The NinetyNines Inc., an international organization of women pilots Earhart helped found in 1929. Renovations have returned the birthplace to its condition at the turn of the century when Earhart lived there with her grandparents. Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, set many records and was attempting the longest round-the-world flight when she disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937. For more information about Atchison or the festival, go to visitatchison.com. Above: Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison in 1897 and lived there with her grandparents. Right: A carnival is one of many activities during the annual festival in her honor. PHOTOS FROM ATCHISON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Highway 24 promotes scenic, historic travel along two-lane

he communities along Highway 24 banded together in 2000 to find ways to preserve the history and promote travel on the two-lane highway. “We wanted to create an identity bigger than one individual town,” said Joan Nothern, one of the co-founders of the Solomon Valley Heritage Alliance. The alliance encompasses 24 communities from Hoxie to Glasco along Highway 24. The highway, which crosses the state north of I-70, was part of the Midland Trail transcontinental auto route from Washington, D.C., to California that existed between 1914 and 1926. The group’s latest endeavor is identifying veterans’ memorials along the route because of its designation as the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, a distinction bestowed by the state in 2008. “We wanted to help people appreciate

the people of rural Kansas in the history of America,” Nothern said. With support from the Kansas Humanities Council initiative “The Things They Carried Home: Preservation Project,” Lucas resident Von Rothenberger began researching memorials along the route in the fall of 2015. Rothenberger found that many communities weren’t even aware their local cemeteries or courthouse squares had veterans’ memorials. “It has generated a lot of conversation and raised awareness,” he said. “Every town has some sort of remembrance.” He found 27 memorials: Several were dedicated to veterans from different wars, while 18 were specifically devoted to World War II veterans. He found that many of the memorials had been erected in the 1950s following the Korean War. The Highway 24 veterans’ memorial project appears to be unique, he said. “We can’t find another highway that’s tried to do anything like this.” Highway 24’s best-known landmark, Cawker City’s world-renowned World’s

Memorials recognize veterans in towns along Highway 24. Shown here are ones in Stockton (above), Alton (right) and Hoxie (upper right). PHOTO BY VON ROTHENBERGER

Walk down into this marvel of pioneer engineering, The Big Well. At 109 feet deep, this experience will take your breath away! www.greensburgks.org

Largest Ball of Twine, continues to grow as visitors attach more twine. Linda Clover, the ball’s “caretaker,” reported that visitors from as far away as Mongolia and Kenya had added twine to the ball last fall. “Just yesterday I was with visitors from England, New York and Omaha,” she said in mid-February. “And that was only being at the ball for half an hour. Amazingly people know about us not only from the U.S., but everywhere. The man who started it certainly wouldn’t believe it.” That man was Frank Stoeber who made a winter pastime out of rolling up sisal twine so he wouldn’t trip on it and his cattle wouldn’t eat it. He started in 1953 and by 1957 he’d rolled 1.2 million feet of twine. He hauled it to Beloit to be weighed and it came in at 5,000 pounds. When the ball was weighed in 1988, its 7 million feet of sisal had reached 18,000 pounds. Not far from Cawker City are the scenic Waconda Lake and Glen Elder State Park. Also along Highway 24 is Nicodemus, a national historic site (see article, page 22) as well as Downs, home of the Kansas Storytelling Festival each April. The two-lane highway meanders past towns punctuated with historic courthouses, train depots, churches, one-room schoolhouses, grain elevators and Carnegie libraries. Also along the route are the hometowns of Russell Stover (Alton) and Mil Millar, the illustrator of Porky Pig (Portis). Glasco (population 500) is home to Hodge Podge, an old-fashioned soda fountain. For more info, visit hiway24.org. – Cynthia Mines

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he stories of more than 250,000 orphaned, abandoned or homeless children transported West by train from 1854 to 1929 in hopes of finding adoptive families live on at the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, which houses the nation’s only museum dedicated to the movement as well as a research center with extensive archives. Many children found homes in rural communities in the Midwest, and Kansas ranked eighth nationwide for the highest number of placements with an estimated 6,000 children, according to Shaley George, curator. Clarke Kidder, author of the book “Emily’s Story: The Brave Journey of an Orphan Train Rider” about his grandmother who was put on the orphan train in 1906, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Orphan Train Celebration June 3-4 in Concordia. A documentary, “West by Orphan Train,” based on his book recently won a Midwest Emmy and will be shown during the celebration. The No. 1 New York Times best-selling book “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline also has increased interest in the movement and museum, according to George. “One book club came from as far away as Dallas to visit the museum after reading the book,” she said.

Top right: Taken by agent Anna Laura Hill, this 1909 photograph is part of the collection. She took hundreds of photographs and wrote the names, location and dates on each one. Above: One orphan rider’s “worldly belongings”: a “rag doll, a small wooden Chinaman and a tin elephant. . . .I took these treasures to bed with me every night.” Right: Next to the 1917 depot is a statue of a little girl waiting for a train.

Concordia had been wanting a museum and made a bid when the archives from the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America became available. Concordia had the advantage of having a train depot available and was selected over sites in Iowa and Nebraska. “Mary Ellen (Johnson, founder of the society) showed up for a visit and she had a good feeling about this place,” George said. The museum opened in the town’s 1917 Union Depot in September 2007 with the mission of collecting, preserving, interpreting and disseminating knowledge about the orphan trains and the children and agents who rode them. George makes the era come to life when she tells visitors about the few possessions children could bring with them and the “baby dropboxes, a sort of Lazy Susan” where mothers who could not afford to feed their babies could leave them. The children, who ranged in age from infant to teenager, were allowed one small suitcase with a few possessions and had one nice outfit to wear for stops where they were lined up for review. “They could not take letters or pictures or anything from their previous life,” George said. “They were given a bible.” The Children’s Aid Society was the first group to send children westward via

train. They were joined later by many organizations, including the New York Foundling, which was founded by three Sisters of Charity and sent infants and toddlers on “mercy trains” to find Catholic homes. The efforts were supported by the country’s wealthiest families, such as the Vanderbilts and Astors, and religious groups, according to George, who added that the country did not have adoptions laws until 1850. The Orphan Train Movement was one of the largest social reform relocation efforts in U.S. history and the beginning of documented foster care in America. The museum archives include surrender records such as a mother’s book with room for three lines each to tell why she was giving up her child. The collection also includes 200 photographs taken by Anna Laura Hill, Children’s Aid Society agent, on her annual visits to check on children under her care. Sometimes agents would go ahead of the train and visit churches to recruit families and obtain applications and references. A community with a population of 1,000 to 3,000 was considered the “sweet spot,” George said. “There was likely enough food on a farmer’s table.” She estimated that 70 to 75 percent of placements turned out well. At the end of the route, children who had not been chosen boarded the train for the return trip to New York. Efforts were made to keep families of children together.

The museum is currently working on adding a restored train car to the complex. The former “springs car” from Marion was donated to the museum and moved to Concordia in summer 2014. The 1890 train car was used to transport passengers to healing springs north of Marion.

Concordia Museums The National Orphan Train Museum and Morgan-Dowell Research Center, 300 Washington St., is open 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Monday by appointment), 785-243-4471, orphantrain depot.org. Also located in Concordia is the POW Camp Concordia Museum located on the site of a World War II German POW camp. A preservation society has been working on saving history from 1942-1945 when Nazis were imprisoned at the camp, and a museum opened in 2015. The prisoners were made available to local farmers who needed help during the war years when young men were serving abroad. Call 785-243-4303 to arrange a visit to the museum. Or visit powcampconcordia.org for more information. – Cynthia Mines Above: The guard post at Concordia’s World War II Pow Camp, which opened a museum in 2015.

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Kansas, Naturally Kansas offers plenty of natural wonders, from magnificent rock formations to startling sunsets and even waterfalls Continued on page 12.

Monument Rocks in Gove County was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1968. The chalk formations, which reach a height of 70 feet, were created 80 million years ago. PHOTO BY JIM GRIGGS

Sunset softens the edges of the deep ravines in the Arikaree Breaks in far northwest Kansas (left) as well as in the Gypsum Hills of southwest Kansas (below). LEFT: HARLAND SCHUSTER BELOW: MICKEY SHANNON

From magnificent rock formations to rolling hills and even waterfalls, Kansas offers plenty of natural wonders

rom the Arikaree Breaks and Monument Rocks in northwest Kansas to the Gypsum Hills in the southwest and the Flint Hills cascading down the eastern one-third of the state, Kansas offers plenty of scenic options. And hovering above it all is the glorious Kansas sky, stretching for miles in every direction, making it no coincidence that the state has rated inclusion on lists of the best places in the world to watch the sun set. Here are our ten favorites of the Sunflower State’s natural wonders:

Arikaree Breaks Sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the High Plains,” this area in far northwest Kansas is distinguished by deep ravines, in marked contrast to the surrounding plains. The rough canyons were formed thousands of years ago by water and wind-deposited sand, silt and clay particles called loess. Yucca plants, two sage varieties that don’t grow anywhere else in the state, and 16 additional rare native plants accentuate the arid and mostly treeless landscape. Signage can be sparse so a map is a good idea, and a high-clearance vehicle helps navigate the rugged roads. A Self-Guided Driving Tour, available under “Enjoy Us” at st.franciskansas.com, will point the way to spring-fed creeks, Horse Thief Café, Lookout Point and Devil’s Gap.

Cheyenne Bottoms During spring migration Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area attracts about 45 percent of the North American shorebird population to the nation’s largest inland marsh. The 41,000 acres is a favored stopping place for sandhill cranes in March, herons in the summer and pelicans in the fall. Take a self-guided tour or join a group organized by the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, located on K-156 northeast of Great Bend. The center is managed by Fort Hays State University as a branch of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks & Tourism. A Wings and Wetlands Birding Festival takes place in April of odd-numbered years. Visit wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu to find a map and learn more about birding and hiking trails.

The 2,800 acres of prairie at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to see bison, wildflowers and butterflies. RIGHT: JIM GRIGGS BELOW: DAVID SLOAN WELFELT

Flint Hills Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge provide important wetlands to migrating birds. LEFT: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

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Encompassing 50 miles from Nebraska to Oklahoma, the Kansas Flint Hills in spring are a brilliant green expanse of rolling terrain growing atop ancient flint and limestone. The emerald green hills, reminiscent of Ireland, sprout following early-spring prairie burns, a time-honored practice to regenerate plant growth. The unforgettable image of flames whipping across the prairie are often visible from highways, but Flying W Ranch also offers planned Flames in the Flint Hills (flinthillsflyingw.com) events. The area is also home to the state’s only national park, the

Mickey Shannon has so far photographed 50 of Kansas’ more than 70 waterfalls. Lower Prather Creek Falls in Chase County is one of his favorites. His favorite, Prather Creek Falls, is pictured on the contents page.

Tallgrass Prairie National Park, which is devoted to the remaining 4 percent left from the original 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie. Hiking trails provide views of hundreds of bird and plant species as well as reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Visitors may also tour an 1880s mansion and limestone barn. The Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan also is an excellent resource. Learn more at KansasFlintHills.travel.

Gypsum Hills The area in southwest Kansas characterized by red rock bluffs and white gypsum ledges jutting from rolling grasslands is known as the Gypsum Hills or Red Hills. Extending from the Oklahoma border, the area is reminiscent of the rugged geology found in Southwestern states. Composed of red shale, siltstone and sandstone interspersed with gray dolomite and gypsum, the hills were formed 260 million years ago and later sculpted through erosion. Natural springs, wildflowers, abundant wildlife and wintering mountain bluebirds make interesting viewing year-round. Follow the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater to view sweeping vistas marked by buttes, canyons, red soil, mesas, rock formations, wonderful sunsets and bats emerging from hiding. Drives through the area sometimes provide glimpses of buffalo roaming on Ted Turner’s 38,000-acre Z Bar ranch. The Gant-Larson Ranch west of Medicine Lodge offers access to 10,000 acres via trail rides (must have own horse), camping and other activities (gypsumhillstrailrides.com).

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge This 2,800-acre refuge in McPherson County north of Canton is one of the best places in the state to view bison, elk, prairie grasses and native wildflowers. Tram tours guided by the Friends of Maxwell transport visitors for a safe, up-close look at the bison herd, which can number as many as 200. The refuge also supports nearly 100 head of elk (best viewing time is winter). The gently rolling hills are also home to 100 bird species and numerous native wildflowers. The area can also be viewed from a nearby observation tower. Tram tours are available weekends from Memorial Day through October and during special events. Group tours and campfires are available by reservation. In addition to the regular summer bison tram tours, special ones for 2016 include Baby Bison on April 30; Spring Wildflower Tours June 4 and 11; Fall Wildflower Tours Aug. 27 and Sept. 3; an early evening tour Sept. 17 during Santa Fe Days; and Mountain Man Rendezvous Oct. 7-9. For more information, call 620-628-4455.

Monument Rocks Monument Rocks, the first of five Kansas sites to be named a National Natural Landmark, rises from fairly flat ground between Oakley and Scott City in western Kansas. Now located on private property but still accessible to the public, these massive “Chalk Continued on page 14.

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Continued from page 13.

Pyramids” were formed millions of years ago. Reminiscent of a natural Stonehenge, the rocks – some soaring 70 feet in the air – represent the last vestiges of an inland sea that covered western Kansas and eastern Colorado 200 million years ago. During the Cretaceous Period, the Western Interior Seaway split North America into two land masses. When the sea receded, fossilized sea organisms became chalk deposits, which the Smoky Hill River, wind and rain sculpted over time. The most famous of these structures is the Keyhole Arch. Visitors still occasionally find fossils of ancient sea animals at the 10-acre site. Located just across the highway from the landmark’s south entrance, the Keystone Gallery houses a fossil museum and art gallery. To learn more about the geology of the area, visit the Fick Fossil Museum in Oakley. Directions to Monument Rocks can be found at discoveroakley.com.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge Southeast of Great Bend is the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1955 to provide a resting place for migratory waterfowl along the country’s Central Flyway. The water sanctuary hosts more than 400 bird species and encompasses 22,135 acres of rare inland salt marsh and sand prairie. The sand prairie also attracts numerous mammal species, including deer, prairie dogs, beavers, muskrats and coyotes as well as more than a dozen butterfly species. Infused with subterranean salt deposits, the refuge groundwater can support many salt-tolerant plants. An observation tower

The Gypsum Hills of Southwest Kansas make for an interesting drive. PHOTO BY HARLAND SCHUSTER

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and visitors center are part of the refuge. For more info, visit fws.gov/refuge/Quivira.

Salt Mines Carved out of salt deposits 650 feet below the surface, the Strataca Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson (aka Salt City) offers the only salt-mine tour in North America. The museum is located in one of the world’s largest salt formations, which is 275 million years old and stretches 27,000 square miles. Visitors reach the 980-acre underground site via elevator. The museum is located in the former Carey Salt Mine, which began operation in 1923. The area’s long history in the rock salt industry dates to 1887 when a farmer drilling for oil found salt deposits instead. Today, visitors are able to explore large areas of the mine with a trained tour guide as well as ride the Salt Mine Express and the Dark Ride. On display are artifacts, including Hollywood memorabilia, housed by Underground Vaults and Storage, a business that provides secure storage for millions of documents and items from around the world. Daily tours (except Monday); more info at underkansas.org.

Sunflower Fields While fields of sunflowers are visible in many parts of the state, an August or September visit to the Goodland area rewards visitors with views of 50,000 acres of the official Kansas flower. The sunnyfaced crop has also earned this northwestern Kansas town the nickname Sunflower City, and an annual Sunflower Celebration has grown up in the community. The flower was domesticated by indigenous people about

3,000 B.C. and many Native Americans considered it a representation of the Sun God. Towering as high as five to 12 feet tall, sunflowers typically have rough, hairy stems with flowers from three to six inches wide. The Goodland area has long played a major role in U.S. sunflower agriculture and these cheerful flowers are prized for their healthy vegetable oil and seeds.

Waterfalls Given its flatlander reputation, Kansas’ numerous waterfalls come as a surprise to many. They range from rushing streams of water spilling over tall rock walls to smaller falls that gently roll across multiple short ledges. Cottonwood Falls and Elk Falls were named for local water features. Wichita-based travel photographer Mickey Shannon is on a mission to visit all 70 of Kansas’ waterfalls. So far he’s photographed 50 of them. In a 2015 blog he listed his top 10 so far with Prather Creek Falls at Chase Lake Falls taking the No. 1 spot, followed by (in order): Cowley Falls near Arkansas City; Geary State Fishing Lake Waterfall near Junction City; Rock Creek Falls near Fort Scott; Santa Fe Lake Falls near Augusta; Chautauqua Falls near Sedan; Pillsbury Crossing at Deep Creek Falls near Manhattan; Lake Kahola Falls southeast of Council Grove; Butcher Falls on Red Buffalo Ranch near Sedan; and Buck Creek Falls, rural northeast. To read his blog post about Kansas waterfalls and see some spectacular images, visit mickeyshannon.com.

Visitors to Strataca Underground Salt Museum travel 650 feet beneath the surface to experience one of the world’s largest salt formations. The emerald-green expanse of the Flint Hills is one of the best places in the world to watch the sunset, according to some list makers. LEFT: HARLAND SCHUSTER

Lisa Waterman Gray contributed to this article. TravelKS_TravelKS 2/12/16 3:42 PM Page 1

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hanks in part to German immigrants in the 1870s, beer making in Kansas flourished until a statewide ban on alcohol lasted decades longer than national Prohibition. In addition, Kansas was the home and frequent target of Carrie Nation and her famous saloon-smashing hatchet. Chuck Magerl, whose grandfather spent some time in Leavenworth for making beer illegally, watched as microbreweries began to pop up across the country in the late 1970s. Magerl, who has a background in engineering, wanted to revive his grandfather’s practice so spent months in Topeka trying to get Kansas’ brewing laws changed. He finally succeeded and in 1989 he founded the first brewery – Free State Brewery in Lawrence – to operate legally in Kansas in more than a century. Another connection to the Prohibition era came when the Blind Tiger Brewery opened in Topeka in 1995 with a name that recalled the days when illegal drinking establishments displayed a stuffed or china tiger to indicate the availability

of illicit alcohol after hours. Blind Tiger’s awards include the 2014 championship brewer and brewery World Beer Cup in the large brewpub division. Many locally crafted beers carry such appropriately Kansas names as Free State’s Ad Astra Ale, Wheat State Golden and Storm Chaser IPA; River City’s Tornado Alley and Emerald City; and Central Standard’s Wizard of Hops. At Blue Skye Brewery in Salina, the Mugler’s Revenge IPA is named for Peter Mugler, a local brewer who set up shop in 1877. Nearly 20 microbreweries now exist in Kansas, ranging from large bottle and can operations that distribute in a multi-state area to small brewers who sell only smallbatch beers on-site. One of the state’s newest breweries, Kansas Territory Brewing Co., which began

operations in Washington (population 1,095) in early 2015, pays tribute to Kansas on many of its labels and cans: a plane reminiscent of the one built by Clyde Cessna in Wichita graces the Aeroplane Pale Ale containers, and the Locomotion Stout (with hints of toffee, chocolate and coffee) pays tribute to Atchison’s connections to the train industry. Kansas brewers enjoy experimenting with a variety of ingredients and flavors. Magerl calls Free State’s new Garden Party Lager a creative mixture with “exotic flavor,” including locally grown cucumbers, juniper berries and basil. The relatively new Defiance microbrewery in Hays has come up with Fuzzy Knuckles, an imperial stout with cocoa nibs and coffee, as well as Eskimo Handshake, a chocolate stout, and Willy Nilly, a golden ale with orange peel and ginger. The Tallgrass Brewing Co. in Manhattan offers an “explorer” series which allows the brewery to “go out on a limb and try to make something really cool and then share it with folks,” according to Jeff Gill, who founded Tallgrass in 2007. One of Tallgrass’ successful recipe experiments resulted in Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat. Tallgrass also has found a creative outlet in the artwork which appears on its cans. “It’s the creative aspect of what we do that brings in a lot of fun,” Gill said. The brewery has grown so much in recent years it had to move operations in 2015. The separate Tallgrass Taphouse, in downtown Manhattan, is an 11,000-square-foot brewpub that can hold Continued on page 18.

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On Tap in Kansas

Following is a sampling of taprooms. Several also have excellent food menus.

Top: Radius Brewing Co. in Emporia was designed so the brewing process was a focal point of the dining room. Above: Tallgrass Brewing expresses its creativity with flavor and can design. Opposite page: Free State’s labels include Wheat State Golden. Blue Skye Brewery in Salina offers wood-fired pizza and a selection of beers.

Big John’s Brewing Company, 2445 S. Ninth, Salina, BigJohnsBrewingCo.com. Blind Tiger Brewery, 417 SW 37th St., Topeka, BlindTiger.com. Blue Skye Brewery and Eats, 116 N. Santa Fe, Salina, Blueskeybrewery.com. Central Standard Brewing, 156 Greenwood, Wichita (Thursday-Sunday), CentralStandardBrewing.com. Defiance Brewing Co., 2050 E. Highway 40, Hays (Thursday-Saturday), defiancebeer.com. Free State Brewing Co. Restaurant, 636 Massachusetts Ave., Lawrence, freestatebrewing.com. Gella’s Diner and Lb. Brewing Co., 117 E. 11th, Hays, LbBrewing.com. Hank is Wiser Brewery, 213 N. Main, Cheney (Thursday-Saturday), HankIsWiserBrewery.com. Hopping Gnome Brewing, 1710 E. Douglas, Wichita, HoppingGnome.com. Little Apple Brewing Co., 1110 Westloop, Manhattan, littleapplebrewery.com. Kansas Territory Brewing Co., 310 C St., Washington, (Thursday-Saturday), kansasterritorybrewingco.com. Radius Brewing Co., 610 Merchant St., Emporia, RadiusBrewing.com. River City Brewing Co., 150 N. Mosely, Wichita, rivercitybrewingco.com Tallgrass Brewing Co. and Tap House, 320 Poyntz, Manhattan, tallgrassbeer.com. Walnut River Brewing, 111 W. Locust Ave., El Dorado, WalnutRiverBrewing.com.

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Continued from page 16.

300 diners on three levels. Manhattan will host its third Rhythm and Brews Festival this year on Aug. 6. Hays organized its first Brews on the Bricks festival for April 2, and tickets sold out only four hours after going on sale. Hays’ enthusiasm for beer can be traced back to the Volga-German immigrants. When plans emerged in the early 2000s to build a brewery there, it didn’t take long for 53 investors to step forward and offer to help open Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. The plan started with Janet Wyman requesting that her husband Gerald stop making beer in their kitchen. Four months after opening in 2005, Gerald entered the Great American Beer Festival and won his first of nine medals. In 2013, he and the brewery became the first in Kansas to be named the Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year. He earned a Gold World Beer Cup Award for Lb.’s No. 06 Oatmeal Stout in 2010. Sampling that beer is the single most important thing to do while visiting Kansas, according to the Huffington Post. The microbrewery specializes in traditional German beers and keeps nine of its beers on tap at all times, including two seasonals, according to Brendan Arnold, brewery manager.

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“We tend to stay with more traditional styles and focus on really clean beers,” he said. “We make very well-balanced Midwestern craft beer.” To achieve a “clean, easy-to-drink beer,” the brewery trucks in water from the Ogallala Aquifer to offer a better taste, according to Arnold. Water was also a main concern for three business partners who spent several

years pursuing the dream of opening a brewery. The trio used mineral tests to determine that El Dorado had the best water content to make beer, according to B. J. Hunt, co-owner of Walnut River Brewing. He attributes their beers’ smooth finish flavors to the water quality. “They finish well and people like that,” Hunt said. “It’s not a slap-you-in-the-face type of beer.” For Monte Shadwick the path to

Above: A chalkboard at Defiance Brewing in Hays shows the day’s selections. Right: Visitors check out how Lb. Brewing in Hays makes beer (pictured on contents page). Opposite page top: Tallgrass Brewing in Manhattan recently moved to a larger facility; tours are available. Opposite page bottom: Blind Tiger brew master John Dean has won 21 national and world awards, including a gold medal at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival for his Basil Beer. owning a brewery began while teaching a business class at Kansas Wesleyan. An entrepreneurship assignment led to brainstorming on what Salina needed and then ultimately to Shadwick opening Blue Skye Brewery in Salina’s historic downtown area. “What started as a semester class project turned into a new livelihood,” Shadwick said, laughing. “I had no intention of starting a business.” He expressed gratitude for the helpfulness of other breweries during the two-year start-up period. Shadwick had prior restaurant experience but needed brewers to pursue the idea. He checked around, but could find no one who wanted to relocate to Salina. Colorado brewers suggested he go back to Salina and find the best home brewers. “The same two names kept coming up,” Shadwick said. The two names belonged to local firefighters Josh Foley and John Goertzen. The first beer they came up with for the new brewery was christened Fire Engine

Red. Shadwick knew food would be important and came up with an eclectic menu centered on wood-fired pizza. Shadwick continued teaching for a few years after Blue Skye opened in 2013 and found that the mistakes he made along the way made great classroom lessons. The brewers – who continue full-time jobs as firefighters – keep a standard line-up of four favorites and then experiment with seasonals, such as last summer’s watermelon beer. Another home brewer, Jeremy “J.J.” Johns, joined forces with friend and chef Justin “Gus” Bays, to open Radius Brewing in downtown Emporia in 2014. Bays orchestrates a nightly chef’s menu and flies in fresh seafood from Hawaii every weekend while Johns works his magic behind a glassed-in brewing operation in the center of the dining room. “People enjoy seeing where it’s actually made,” he said.

downtown building a “nanobrewery” since it’s even smaller than a microbrewery. Though the three live in Wichita, they enjoy the small-town feel, relaxed atmosphere and regular customers in Cheney. “(The building) has a lot of character to it,” he said. “The first time I saw it, it appeared to be a good place to open a brewery.” Two of the state’s newest microbreweries – Hopping Gnome and Central Standard Brewing – opened last year in Wichita, where River City Brewing Co. was the state’s third microbrewery when it opened in 1993. Three beer aficionados opened Central Standard Brewing after practicing home brewing for a decade. “We offer a wide range to keep everybody happy,” said co-owner Andy Boyd. Stacy Ward Lattin and her husband, Torrey Lattin, opened Hopping Gnome last year with a goal of not only serv-

The most popular brew is William Allen Wheat, named after the sage of Emporia, William Allen White, who was friend to five presidents and won the Pulitzer Prize. “It’s the lightest and the most approachable,” Johns said in explaining its popularity. The learning curve was pretty long, he admitted. “We’ve learned a lot and are still learning a lot. We’ll never be done learning.” Cheney’s Hank is Wiser Brewery got its start when Hank Sanford retired and decided to turn his hobby into a business. While working as a traveling salesman for 40 years, Sanford liked to check out brewery restaurants while on the road and experiment on home recipes with his family. He calls his operation in a historic

ing good beer but having fun. They have theme nights such as adult coloring books and recently hosted a beer and popcorn pairing with flavored popcorn from a nearby business. “We wanted to be a part of the brewing community and improve and make Wichita a better place to live,” Ward Lattin said. “We’re trying to do things differently and have some fun in the taproom.” Johns modestly downplayed the fact Radius was named Kansas’ top brewery last year by Yahoo! Travel. “It was pretty flattering,” he said, “but I’m not sure how scientific their process was. There are a lot of great breweries in Kansas.” – Bethaney Wallace and Cynthia Mines

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The 2016 centennial of the National Park Service makes an excellent time to visit Kansas sites his year Kansas will join hundreds of parks from Yosemite to the Everglades to observe the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. Though the first national park, Yellowstone, was recognized in 1872, an organized system of national oversight was not created until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Congress authorized the National Park Service on Aug. 25, 1916, to preserve and protect the country’s natural and

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historic resources. The NPS now oversees 409 national parks, which span 84 million acres and attracted more than 305 million visitors last year. Kansas’ five national parks represent the country’s landmark school desegregation case; two historic forts; the last remaining black settlement west of the Mississippi; and the last large remnant of the tallgrass prairie which once swept across North America. Heather Brown, chief of interpretation for the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, hopes the centennial will inspire more people to visit the preserve’s 11,000 acres

as well as all of the parks. “That’s really important for the next 100 years,” she said, “and it’s especially important to instill a sense of pride and stewardship in the next generation. The parks belong to everyone.” To help inspire the next generation, Tallgrass is partnering with the Nature Conservancy in a junior ranger program titled The First 100 for the Next 100 which will culminate with a special event April 16. Fort Scott also is targeting youth with a summer Trailblazers Day Camp for Kids to learn about preserving and interpreting the nation’s national parks. Tallgrass will join with national parks across the country on Aug. 25 for a birthday celebration, picnic and the opportunity to participate in a nationwide video, “Sing Across America and Earth Anthem

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve PHOTO BY HARLAND SCHUSTER

for National Parks.” Tallgrass joined the national park system 20 years ago and will celebrate its own birthday on Nov. 12. The preserve north of Strong City represents the largest remaining swath of tallgrass prairie in North America and is the only designated prairie preserve among the national parks. Ellen Jones, park ranger at Fort Larned National Historic Site, also hopes that the anniversary year will be incentive for more people to discover the state’s national parks, including Fort Larned’s nine original buildings, historical exhibits and livinghistory demonstrations. Fort Larned served the Kansas frontier from 1859 to 1878. Admission to the Kansas parks is free. To learn more about 2016 events, visit FindYourPark.com and nps.gov.

Make this the year to learn more about Kansas’ national parks Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Visitors to the elementary school at the heart of the historic 1954 Supreme Court decision that ended school desegregation have a choice of entering through an entryway marked “white” or one marked “colored.” Inside, they will find timelines, exhibits and interactive displays depicting what it was like when blacks were not allowed to attend many public schools and universities. In one gallery, visitors pass through a video gantlet of historical footage

showing the angry faces of desegregation opponents. After nearly a decade of planning, the museum opened in 2004 on the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision. It is located in downtown Topeka at 1515 SE Monroe St., 785-354-4273.

Fort Larned National Historic Site Started in 1865 to protect trade on the Santa Fe Trail, this Kansas site is the best preserved of the forts along the famous trail. The exterior of the nine original sandstone structures have been preserved to their 1868 appearance. During warmer months and special events, visitors can watch parade-ground marching and interact with blacksmiths, Continued on page 22.

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Continued from page 21.

saddlers, Buffalo soldiers and infantry members. During Memorial Weekend the fort offers living-history demonstrations, family activities and horse-and-buggy rides. Other special events include: Picnic in the Park Centennial Celebration Aug. 27; Candlelight Tours Oct. 8; and Christmas Open House Dec. 10. The fort also has special activities on the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. The site includes a visitors center, tours, exhibits, bookstore and educational video. It is located six miles west of Larned on Highway 156, 620-285-6911.

freed slaves, who made their way from Kentucky and Mississippi to northwest Kansas. They did not find the idyllic setting they had been promised, but many settled there to start life anew in a Free State. Many descendants of early residents still return for the town’s annual homecoming celebration, which this year is July 2831. The event features a Live Family Tree, which gives attendees a chance to see how they are related. In addition, the town this year will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers and the 20th anniversary of becoming a national historic site. Call 785-839-4233 for more information.

and one-room schoolhouse for exploring. On Memorial Weekend, May 28-30, the site will host Kids’ Farm and Ranch Animal Day on Saturday; Fishing with the Ranger at Fox Creek on Sunday; and a painting on the prairie day for kids on Monday (supplies provided, call 620-273-8494 for reservations). Prairie Pollinators: Wildflowers and Butterflies on June 18-19 will focus on what attracts butterflies and the role of insect pollinators. Programs and demonstrations will include plant dyes, wildflower painting and medicinal prairie plants. Children’s activities include prairie bingo, wildflower

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott

Established in 1842, the fort was built as a strategic location near the Kansas-Missouri border during the Bleeding Kansas era that led up to the Civil War. The site has 20 historic buildings, five acres of restored tallgrass prairie and a parade ground. Eleven of the buildings, which house 30 historically furnished rooms, are open to the public. Museum exhibits tell the story of soldiers stationed there in the 1840s. Special events in 2016 include Civil War Encampment with living-history demonstrations April 16-17; Good Ol’ Days June 4; Vintage Baseball and Picnic in the Park Aug. 27; Native American dancing and music at the Native Neighbors event Oct. 21-22; and the annual Candlelight Tour with more than 100 costumed reenactors Dec. 2-3. For information or reservations to the Candlelight Tour, call 620-223-0310.

Nicodemus National Historic Site

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Nicodemus National Historic Site and its five historic buildings preserve the oldest and only remaining all-black settlement west of the Mississippi River. Established in 1877, the town was promoted to newly

The 11,000-acre preserve north of Strong City represents the remaining 4 percent of the 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie that once covered North America. The preserve is one of the few places in the world where the dynamics of the prairie can still be observed. A visitors center with exhibits introduces visitors to the prairie ecosystem. Starting April 23, the park is once again able to offer bus tours which take visitors deep into the heart of the broad expanse. The guided tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. during the week. Forty miles of hiking trails offer year-round options for a close-up look at the tallgrass prairie. The site also offers an 1880s limestone mansion, three-story limestone barn

Brown v. Board of Education

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Nicodemus Topeka Fort Larned

Tallgrass Prairie Fort Scott

coloring pages and being a plant detective. The weekend will culminate with the annual butterfly count. A Cowboy Independence Day Holiday on July 2 will feature historic characters going about their daily activities, oldfashioned games and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Prairie Wildflower Day on Sept. 10 will have exhibits, wildflower hikes, education programs and yarn-dyeing demos using plants. The

EXPERIENCE

ATCHISON HISTORY. MYSTERY. ENTERTAINMENT.

Nicodemus Prairie Harvest Festival Oct. 15 will show living-history characters preparing for winter, including cider making, as well as live music and pumpkin carving. Spring Hill Ranch Candlelight Tours on Dec. 3 will transport visitors back in time to the 1880s by giving them glimpses of ranch life by kerosene lantern. Reservations are needed for the living-history tours through the ranch buildings. Other special events include: Women’s Voices of the Flint Hills on March 26; Night Sky Program on April 2; horse-drawn haying demonstration on June 25; Birding programs with wagon rides on July 9; Annual Labor Day Weekend Quilt Display with demonstrations and a barn dance, Sept. 3-5; Lower Fox Creek School Box Lunch with wagon rides on Sept. 17; and Chase County Country Christmas on Nov. 26. For more information, call 620273-8494. Erica Prather contributed to this article.

Fort Larned

Located approximately 45 minutes north of Kansas City, Atchison offers you an exciting variety of year-round events, museums, tours, shopping, dining, arts and entertainment options that provide exciting, affordable, and unique experiences for the whole family!

Birthplace of Amelia Earhart • Lewis & Clark Historic Site Muchnic Art Gallery • Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Cray Historical Home Museum • Haunted Atchison Tours Shopping • Amelia Earhart Festival • Historic Trolley Tours

ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY-MARCH Atchison Chocolate Tasting Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Atchison Stage Play Atchison Area Bridal Show Spring Retail Open House Children’s Art Show

JUNE-AUGUST Summer Sounds Concert Series Juneteenth Celebration Forest of Friendship Celebration LakeFest Outdoor Concert Amelia Earhart Festival Ladies Summer Night Out Atchison County Fair

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER Holiday Retail Open House Muchnic Art Show Small Business Saturday Cash for Christmas Contest Santa House on the Mall Theatre Atchison Holiday Play Sights & Sounds of Christmas Ladies Night Out

APRIL-MAY Funky Junk Flea Market Open Air Fair Kiwanis Club Flea Market Theatre Atchison Stage Play Farmer’s Market (through Oct.) Citywide Garage Sale

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER Haunted Atchison Season Kiwanis Club Fall Flea Market Fall Retail Open House Theatre Atchison Fall Musical Taste of Atchison KC Catfish Midwest Tournament Oktoberfest Witches Night Out

PLUS SO MUCH MORE! For a complete list of events and things to do in Atchison, visit the “Events Calendar” on our website. Also, be sure to sign-up for our weekly eNews to stay in the know!

Call us today and let us help you plan your trip! WWW.VISITATCHISON.COM

(800) 234-1854

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t i s i V wton e N Come

stay awhile and

dine in one of our more than 24 local restaurants, shop our downtown National Historic District,

play a round at Sand Creek Station Golf Course, see our museums and attractions, and enjoy an array of visual and performing arts.

Come to Newton ...

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth the travel!

Explore our event calendar and plan your next visit.

ToNewton.com

Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau

Inside Newton City Hall (316) 284-3642 â&#x20AC;˘ ToNewton.com facebook.com/VisitNewtonKS 24 l

Explore South Central Kansas

www.visitsouthcentralks.com

olling Hills Zoo’s newest traveling exhibit, “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors,” will be on display April 23-Sept. 11 in the Wildlife Museum’s Earl Bane Gallery. The exhibit includes 23 frogs from around the world, including eight species native to Kansas, and arrives with its own zookeeper. About 30 special events are planned, including feedings with a poison dart frog. The frogs exhibit is designed to introduce visitors to the colorful amphibians which are among the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing and adaptive life forms, according to organizers. The exhibit is housed in detailed habitats with rock ledges, live plants and waterfalls to showcase frogs in their natural environments. Interactive games and displays will show the frogs’ role in the ecosystem, myths about them, their camouflage and poison abilities, and their disappearance in a changing environment. Rolling Hills has planned other new events for 2016, including Safari Breakfasts, Animal Meet and Greets, Romps and Chomps, overnight camps and flashlight tours. “We want to be more than just entertainment, we want visitors to connect with the animals in their natural habitats,” said Linda Henderson, director of development and marketing. Rolling Hills, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is home to more Chinese Gliding Frog than 120 species of animals on 65 landscaped acres west of Salina. The zoo’s origin dates to a big barn filled with Belgian draft horses owned by Charlie Walker, the founder of Blue Beacon, Green Lantern Car Wash. After the barn began attracting local school children, he added two black bear cubs, a few llamas and a lioness. Visitors were so excited by the animals that Walker decided the area could benefit from a wildlife park. The late philanthropist’s other area contributions include Salina’s Tammy Walker Cancer Center, which is named for his 11-year-old daughter who died of lung cancer. “He decided the area needed a zoo,” Henderson said. “This is his living legacy.” In 1995 Walker created a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the conservation and propagation of rare and endangered species. Construction began on the zoo, which opened in the fall of 1999. A 64,000-square-foot building was added a few years later to house a wildlife museum, children’s exploration area and conference center. The zoo provides naturalist environments for leopards, camels, giraffes, rhinos, bison, bears, baboons, chimpanzees, elephants, Chilean flamingoes, gazelles, kangaroo, lions, ostriches, tigers, zebras and dozens of other kinds of animals and birds. The indoor museum depicts seven unique regions around the world, from the Arctic to the rainforest, to illustrate the balance of life. It also includes the Hideaway Hollow where children can find 100 puppets, 80 books, a rainforest puppet stage, build-a-tree stations and a large treehouse. Rolling Hills is located six miles west of Salina in central Kansas, just south of I-70 at exit 244. It is open daily except major holidays and offers tram rides, a restaurant and gift shop. Learn more at rollinghillswildlife.com.

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March March 1-31 16th annual Parade of Quilts,

Yoder, YoderKansas.com.

March 1-Feb. 4, 2017 “The 1960s Part

II: Power to the People” exhibit, Smoky Hill Museum, Salina, pop culture from this tumultuous era, ranging from the Beatles and Bond to sports, culture and fashion, smokyhillmuseum.org.

March 1-April 30 “Painted Quilts Across

the Flint Hills,” exhibition by the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail at The Great Overland Station, Topeka.

March 1-April 10 Wichita State’s Ulrich

Museum of Art shows 125 never-beforeexhibited works by Kansas native Gordon Parks, ulrich.wichita.edu.

Columbus Balloon Glow

Hot-air balloon festivals dot Kansas The Columbus Day Festival and 27th Hot-Air Balloon Regatta Oct. 7-9 in Columbus also celebrates the town’s namesake. The event starts with a Balloon Glow on Friday evening featuring the 20 participating balloons. Two lift-offs are planned for Saturday and one for Sunday morning. Columbus Day festivities planned for all day Saturday include a quilt and car show, arts and crafts, antique tractors, petting zoo and scarecrow contest on the town square. For more info, go to columbusdayballoons.com. The 19th annual Sunflower Balloon Fest in Anthony May 6-8 features 15 to 20 balloons in addition to a parade and car show. For more info, visit Sunflowerballoonfest.com. Topeka’s 41st annual Huff n Puff Balloon Rally showcases 30 balloons launching over Lake Shawnee. The Sept. 9-11 event includes flights all three days and balloon glows on Friday and Saturday evenings. For more info, see huff-n-puff.org.

V I S I T

K A N S A S

A R T

March 1-May 8 Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott and Freedom Now!: Forgotten Images of the Civil Rights Struggle, Wichita Art Museum, 268-4921. March 1-May 1 Blue Man Group – Making Waves, traveling exhibition, Exploration Place, Wichita, exploration.org. March 1-May 8 Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World, national traveling exhibition, Exploration Place, Wichita, exploration.org. March 1-Dec. 31 Agricultural Options:

The Choices Farmers Make, exhibit created from 2,000 photos submitted by area farm families, Coronado Quivera Museum, Lyons, cqmuseum.org.

March 4-5 16th Annual Marble Crazy,

G A L L E R I E S

100 95 75

GALLERY XII

412 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67202 www.wichitagalleryxii.com wichitagallery12@yahoo.com | 316-267-5915 Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Final Fri 5:30-10pm Photo by Justin Bayles

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Moon Marble Company, Bonner Springs, marblecrazy.com, 913-441-1432.

April 2-3 KSHA All Breed Horse Show, Lyons, 620-257-5166.

March 5 Salina Symphony, “Cirque de

April 2-Aug. 7 “Arthur W. Hall: Print Maker,” fifty etchings by one of the founding members of the Prairie Print Makers, Wichita Art Museum, wichitaartmuseum.org.

la Symphonie,” Stiefel Theatre, Salina, salinasymphony.org.

March 12 St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, Salina, visitsalina.org. March 12 Saint Patrick’s Day parade celebration, Aggieville, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org. March 12 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and

Shamrock Hunt, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

April 8-9 48th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, quilt auction, crafts, food, Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, Kansas.mccsale. org. April 8-9 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas, Beaux Arts Centre, Fort Scott, 800245-3678.

March 12-13 SEK Little Britches Rodeo,

April 8-24 Tulip Time, Topeka, various locations, VisitTopeka.com.

March 13-May 29 The Hunt for

April 8-24 “Into the Woods,” Salina Community Theatre, salinatheatre.com.

Fort Scott, 800-245-3678.

Treasure, national touring exhibition, Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, stauthmemorialmuseum.org.

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, downtown

Leavenworth, 913-682-2566.

March 18-27 135th Messiah Festival of the

Arts and 118th Midwest Art Exhibition (on display until April 7), plays, performance of Bach’s “Passion According to St. Matthew” and Handel’s “Messiah,” Bethany College and Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, visitlindsborg.com. March 22 40th Annual Farm City Banquet,

April 9 22nd Annual Spring Fling Bike Show,

Lyon County Fairgrounds, Emporia, 800-2793730, visitemporia.com.

April 9 14th Annual Eisenhower Marathon,

Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

April 9 Riverside Park & Ralph Mitchell Zoo

As part of the National Parks’ centennial celebration, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve will host a weekend of wildflowers and butterflies with activities for adults and children June 18-19.

Continued on page 28.

PHOTO BY IRALEE BARNARD

April 9 Paddle Battle canoe and kayak race

on Sand Creek, Newton, 316-284-3642, ToNewton.com.

Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

March 25 Easter Bunny Games, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. March 25 Dust Bowl Marathon, Ulysses, ulysseschamber.org. March 26 Zoorific EGGstravaganza, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488. March 26 Easter Eggstravaganza, Sedgwick County Zoo, scz.org. March 26 Spring Celebration Open House,

Pleasantview, pleasantviewkansas.com, 620-665-1161.

March 29-31 51st Annual Mid America Farm

Exposition, Saline County Livestock & Expo Center, visitsalina.org.

April

Independence

...with attractions for all

Little House on the Prairie Museum Elk City Reservoir Riverside Park & Ralph Mitchell Zoo Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center • Independence Historical • • • •

For more information visit www.indkschamber.org

April 1 Little House on the Prairie Museum

opening day, official Laura Ingalls Wilder home site, open daily until Oct. 31, Independence, littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com, 620289-4238.

April 1-30 Spring into the Arts festival,

performances, art contest and more, Newton, 316-284-3642, ToNewton.com/springarts-festival.

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Continued from page 27.

Explore Kansas

and stay at these exclusive

Hotels & Motels managed by

Opening Day, Independence, Kansas, 800882-3606. April 9 National Fiddler Hall of Fame

Inductee Gala, Memorial Hall, Independence, nationalfiddlerhalloffame.org or 800-8823606.

April 9-10 KJRA Rodeo, Lyons, 620-

257-5166.

April 9-23 Verdigris Valley Young

Burlington

Country Haven Inn | 1-800-942-8369

Coffeyville

Sleep Inn & Suites | 1-877-424-6423 Defenders Inn | 1-620-688-6900

Garnett

Garnett Inn, Suites & RV Park 1-877-448-4200

Herington

Herington Inn & Suites 1-800-597-4581

Hesston

AmericInn Lodge & Suites 1- 620-327-2053

Hillsboro

Country Haven Inn | 1-877-404-2836

Hoisington

Rodeway Inn & Suites Choice Hotels 1-888-489-9290 or local 1-877-406-6022

Lyons

Celebration Centre Inn & Suites 1-866-372-0882

Parsons

Sleep Inn & Suites | 1-877-424-6423

Salina

Super 8 – I-70 | 1-800-800-8000 or local 785-823-8808 Supporting economic development for 20 years by providing quality lodging in Kansas communities. We look forward to seeing you soon. High Plains Management and Development, LLC

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Artist Exhibit, Independence Historical Museum & Art Center, Independence, independencehistoricalmuseum.org.

April 15 Reel Paddling Film Festival,

Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org. April 16 Tulip Festival and 150th anniversary

Celebration Kick-off, Wamego, wamego150. com.

April 16 Spring Crank Up! Tractor Show, Ag

Heritage Park, Alta Vista, 785-532-8393.

April 16 Funky Junk Flea Market, Atchison,

atchisonkansas.net.

April 16 12th annual Pet Fair and Walk for

Life, proceeds benefit homeless and abused pets, Junction City, 785-238-8751. April 16-17 Fort Scott National Historic Site

Civil War Encampment, Fort Scott, 800-2453678.

April 17 Tulip Time Festival at the Lake,

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

April 20-23 35th Annual William Inge

Theater Festival, Independence Community College, Independence, ingecenter.org/ festival, 620-332-5491.

April 21-25 FloraKansas Native Plant Sale,

Dyck Arboretum, Hesston, dyckaboretum.org.

April 22-23 23rd annual Kansas Storytelling

Festival, Downs, kansasstorytelling.com.

April 23 Party for the Planet, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

April 23 Lindsborg in Bloom, 1960s themed activities, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com. April 23-Aug. 28 do it, exhibition, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University, ulrich.wichita.edu. April 23 Barnyard Babies, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075. April 23 27th Emma Creek Classic 5k, women’s race attracts 900 participants from seven states, hrce.org/store, Hesston, 620327-2989. April 23 KWHA Horse Show, Lyons, 620257-5166. April 28-30 Glass Blown Open: Disc Golf

Tournament, glow course, street festival, Emporia, 800-279-3730, visitemporia.com.

April 28-May 1 “Mary Poppins,” C.

L. Hoover Opera House, Junction City, jcoperahouse.org.

April 29-30 Kansas Birding Festival, Milford

Lake area, kansasbirdingfestival.org.

April 30 Sunflower Visual Arts Festival, “Shutter Shots” photo contest, entertainment, art exhibits, Lucas, 785-525-6288, lucaskansas.com.

May May 1 Salina Symphony’s 60th Anniversary

Celebration, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, salinasymphony.org.

May 1 Buffalo Bill Stampede Half Marathon,

10K, 5K, Leavenworth, 913-682-7759.

May 6-8 19th Sunflower Balloon Fest,

Anthony, Sunflowerballoonfest.com.

May 7 Safari Breakfast (at Giraffes), Rolling

Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

May 7-8 Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Art & Book Fair, 316-268-4921, wichitaartmuseum.org. May 7 Pots N Pedals, Sterling, 620-257-5166. May 7-8 Millfest, 1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mills operates at the McPherson County Old Mill Museum complex, folk music, quilt show, wood carvers, Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com. May 7-8 Kansas Sampler Festival, Island Park, Winfield, kansassamplerfestival.com. May 7-8 Miami County Farm Tour, visit local cider mill, wineries and other ag-related attractions, miamicountyks.org. May 8 Wild About Moms, Rolling Hills Zoo,

Salina, 785-827-9488.

Lindsborgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midsummerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival June 18 celebrates the beginning of summer with Swedish traditions, including the raising of the Maypole, dancing, food, music and games.

May 8 Cinco de Mayo, Dodge City, 620-225-

PHOTO BY JIM RICHARDSON

May 9-13 McPherson County All Schools Day Celebration, carnival, May Fete, Friday parade, allschoolsday.com.

May 7 SculptureTour Salina UNwrap Party,

downtown Salina, visitsalina.org.

May 7 Tractor Cruise, National Agricultural

Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075.

May 7 25th Annual Aviation Fly-In and Kite-Flying Extravaganza, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

DINE

May 7 10th Annual Marble Day Celebration,

0240.

downtown Bonner Springs, marbleday.com, 913-667-1703.

May 13 Great Women of Jazz, C. L. Hoover Opera House, Junction City, jcoperahouse.org.

May 7 Haunted Trolley Tours, 6 and 7 p.m.

May 13-15 Kansas Cowboy Mounted

(first Saturday of every month through October), Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

May 7 Newton Downtown Car Show. 316-

283-0391, NewtonDowntownCarShow.com.

PLAY SHOP SPLASH

Shooting Championships, Lyons, 620-2575166.

May 14 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Historic Country Homes and Barn Tours, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

Continued on page 30.

RICE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Lodging Special

www.ricecounty.us 620-257-5166 l 29

pilgrimage to Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., stops in Junction City, junctioncity.org.

Continued from page 29. May 14-15 Country music concert featuring

Mark Chesnutt and Joe Diffie to benefit Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita, 316-945-1079.

May 27-28 Cruise Night and Park City Fire

May 14-Sept. 11 Amazing Dinosaurs,

Department Car Show, Pratt, prattkanas.org, 620-672-5501.

exhibit, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org.

May 20-21 Great White Way Cruise-In

May 27-29 Little Britches Rodeo, Dodge City,

(downtown Concordia in evening May 20) and Car Run from Concordia to Frankfort and Atchison to Frankfort (departing at 8 a.m. and arriving in Frankfort by 2 p.m.), 785243-4303, cloudcountytourism.com. May 21 Color Me Fun Run at Lemon

Park, Pratt Area Humane Society, Pratt, prattkansas.org. May 21 Bill Snyder Highway halfmarathon/5-kilometer, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org. May 21 Flint Hills Festival, Flint

Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org. May 21-Sept. 11 “Chihuly Drawings,”

exhibition of the glass artist Dale Chihuly’s drawings over the past 35 years, Wichita Art Museum, wichitaartmuseum.org.

May 22 Run for the Wall, cross-country

620-225-2244.

May 27-28 Annual Greensburg Memorial

Weekend Celebration, arts and crafts, rodeo, dance, greensburgks.org.

June June 2-4 Rock ‘N’ Country Festival, Winfield

Fairgrounds, rockncountryfest.com.

June 3 Zoolala, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488. June 3-4 National Orphan Train Celebration, Concordia, 785-243-4471 or orphantraindepot.org.

May 27-29 Kansas Paint Horse Association

June 3-4 Tractor Daze and Touch-A-Truck, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075.

May 28-30 Special kids’ activities (fishing, farm animals, painting) at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 620-273-8494.

June 3-4 Mud Bogg, vehicle races through pits of mud, Junction City, 785-238-3103.

May 28-30 Fort Scott National Historic Site

382-3425, chingawassadays.com.

Show, Lyons, 620-257-5166.

Highlights in History, Fort Scott, 800-2453678.

May 28-Sept. 5 Dinosaurs in Motion, traveling exhibition allows visitors to engage with 14 interactive, recycled, life-size metal dinosaur sculptures, Exploration Place, Wichita, exploration.org. May 30 Antique Tractor & Engine Show, Lehigh, 620-483-3370.

June 3-11 Wichita Riverfest, nine days of events, concerts, food court, contests, fireworks, Wichitariverfest.com. June 3-12 Beef Empire Days, Garden City, beefempiredays.com. June 4 Wine in the Wild, Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org. June 4 National Biplane Fly-In, Freeman Field, Junction City, nationalbiplaneflyin.com. June 4 Safari Breakfast (at Primates), Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

ALWAYS OPEN. ALWAYS FREE.

Stroll through the 76-piece Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection on the campus of WichitaTODAY’S State ART University—featuring TODAY’S ART works by Henry Moore, TODAY’S ART Andy Goldsworthy, Tom Otterness, and more. TODAY’S ART

June 3-5 Chingawassa Days, Marion, 620-

June 4 Main Street Festival, Dodge City, 620227-9501. June 4 Symphony at Sunset, Salina Symphony at Eisenhower Presidential Library Campus, Abilene, salinasymphony.org.

MATTERS. MATTERS. MATTERS. MATTERS. TODAY’S ART MATTERS.

June 4 K-96 June Jaunt, ellinwoodchamber.

com.

Tom Otterness, Millipede, 2008

@ulrichmuseum ulrich.wichita.edu | Free Admission | 316.978.3664 | 1845 Fairmount

June 4 Dirty Kanza 200, bicycle race over gravel through the Flint Hills starts in Emporia, dirtykanza200.com. June 4-5 Good Ol’ Days Festival, Fort Scott,

800-245-3678.

June 4, 11 Spring Wildflower Tours, Maxwell

Wildlife Refuge, Canton, 620-628-4455.

June 5-Aug. 14 The Evolving Universe,

traveling exhibition circulated by the Smithsonian Institution at Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, stauthmemorialmuseum.org.

JUN 15-19

JUN 29-JUL 3

JUL 13-17

JUL 27-31

AUG 10-21

DEFINITELY BROADWAY UNIQUELY WICHITA Century II Performing Arts Center | 225 W. Douglas | 316.265.3107 | mtwichita.org

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June 9-12 Smoky Hill River Festival, Oakdale Park, Salina, riverfrestival.com. June 10-12 Kansa Santa Fe Trail Days, music, carnival, beer garden, crafts, parade, car show, ice cream social, Larned, santafetraildays.org. Continued on page 33.

ONE DOLLAR OFF ADMISSION

Offer good at • • • • •

Botanica Exploration Place Mid-America All-Indian Center Old Cowtown Museum Wichita Art Museum

(Limit 4 admissions per coupon) Not valid for special events and cannot be combined with any other offer. No cash value.

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Travel Kansas 2016

Wichita, Kansas • Visit all the Museums on the River today! l 31

Connect With Your People In Kansas Book early and SAVE UP TO 20% Visit ChoiceHotels.com/kansas-hotels or call 1.877.424.4777 and get our Best Available rate.

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1/25/16 3:07 PM

Continued from page 30. June 10-12 Juneteenth Celebration,

Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

June 10-19 Sunflower Music Festival,

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

June 10-19 “Annie Get Your Gun,” Great Plains Theatre, Abilene, abilenekansas.org. June 11 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Historic Country Homes and Barn Tours, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

June 11 Capital Family & Food Truck

Festival, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

June 11 17th annual Cowley County

Wildflower Tour, Winfield, kansasnative plantsociety.org. June 10-26 “Singin’ in the Rain,” Salina

June 18 Midsummer’s Festival, national

Swedish holiday celebrates beginning of summer with food, music, dancing, art and games, Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com.

June 19 15th Anniversary Father’s Day Car

Show, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-8279488. June 23-25 Kicker Country Stampede,

Tuttle Creek State Park, Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org.

June 24-25 Wheatstock, Topeka,

VisitTopeka.com.

June 25 Tap That Topeka: A Capital Brew

Festival, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

June 25 Bonner Springs Festival of the

Community Theatre, salinatheatre.com.

Arts, downtown Bonner Springs, bonnerspringsartsalliance.com, 913-667-1703.

June 11 Symphony in the Flint Hills, Chase

June 25 Marion Garden Tour, Marion, 620-

County, symphonyintheflinthills.org. June 11 Prairie Days at Little House

on the Prairie Museum, 12 miles south of Independence, littlehouseontheprairie museum.com, 800-882-3606. June 11 Paola Car Show, paolacarshow.com. June 11 Arkalon Assault (5K & 1 mile

obstacle runs), Arkalon Park, 13 miles northeast of Liberal, visitliberal.com.

June 12 Party on Main, celebrating 150

years in Wamego, wamego150.com.

382-2442.

VisitTopeka.com.

June 18 Bluegrass on the Lake, Marion

County Lake, marioncountyparkandlake.com.

June 18-19 Prairie Pollinators: Wildflowers

and Butterflies, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

June 18-19 20th Annual Echoes of the Trail

Cowboy Gathering, Fort Scott, 800-245-3678.

Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

July 2 Jamestown Fourth of July Celebration,

food, fun and fireworks at Jamestown ball fields, Cloud County, 785-439-6621.

July 2 Cowboy Independence Day Holiday,

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 620273-8494.

July 4 Spirit Of Kansas, Topeka, VisitTopeka.

com.

Engine and Tractor Show, Pittsburg, sekgasenginetractorclub.com.

June 29-July 3 Disney’s “Beauty and the

July 4 Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, Sterling,

Beast,” presented by Music Theatre Wichita, Century II, MTWichita.org.

620-257-5166.

Continued on page 34.

History Comes Alive in Ulysses & Grant County

isitors who take the Cimarron Cutoff from the Santa Fe Trail find themselves at the Lower Spring campsite nestled in the heart of the Cimarron River valley, a site now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stop and Stay Awhile Frazier Park features hiking & wildlife viewing. Dining options include Kansas-fed beef, a wide variety of the BEST Mexican food and catering for visiting groups.

June 17-18 Lecompton Territorial Days

June 18 Kansas Kidsfest, Topeka,

July 2 Safari Breakfast (at Rhinos), Rolling

fireworks, Boot Hill Museum hosts 1876 Independence Day celebration, Dodge City, 620-227-8188.

Independence Historical Museum & Art Center, Independence, independencehistoricalmuseum.org, 620-331-3515.

Friendship Celebration, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

July 1-4 Sundown Salute, carnival, car show, crafts, food, bands, fireworks, Heritage Park, Junction City, sundownsalute.org.

July 4 Old-Fashioned Fourth of July and

June 16 Verdigris Valley Art Exhibit,

June 17-18 International Forest of

July

June 26-27 28th Annual Antique Gas

June 15-19 “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” Music Theatre Wichita, Century II, MTWichita.org.

celebrates/reenacts the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Titus and Constitution Hall building, Lecompton, lecomptonkansas.com.

June 30-July 4 Astra Arts Festival, music, arts, literature, Independence, astrafest.org, 620-725-0875.

ABOVE: Jeff Trotman portrays early settler Jedediah Smith

along the Santa Fe Trail.

Historic Adobe Museum An interpretive center for the Santa Fe Trail which includes the Hotel Edwards. 300 E. Oklahoma, (620) 356-3009. Open daily (except major holidays).

wonders of Kansas! H I S T O RY

For information on planning your visit call (620) 356-4700; or visit us on the web at www.ulysseschamber.org

KANSAS SAMPLER FOUNDATION ©

M E N T I O N T H I S A D F O R V I S I TO R D I S C O U N T S

l 33

Continued from page 33. July 4 Fireworks & Salute to the Union,

July 9 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Leavenworth, 913-684-1702.

Historic Country Homes and Barn Tours, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

July 4 Old-Fashioned 4th of July, Abilene,

July 9 Railroad Festival, Topeka,

abilenekansas.org.

VisitTopeka.com.

July 4 95th Annual Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks Extravaganza, largest ground fireworks display in Kansas, Peabody, peabodyks.com.

July 9 Annual Sidewalk Sale and Movie in July 12-16 Fiesta Mexicana, Topeka,

VisitTopeka.com.

July 4 Ramona Redneck Parade & Fourth of

July 16 19th Annual Amelia Earhart 2K/8K Fun Run, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

July 13-17 “Oklahoma!” Music Theatre

July 20-23 79th Pretty Prairie Rodeo,

July Celebration, RedneckinRamona.com.

July 4 Kaboom! Celebrate Fourth of July in

the Park, Pratt, prattkansas.org.

Wichita, Century II, MTWichita.org.

July 14-16 43rd Annual After Harvest

Wamego, wamego150.com.

Festival, Ellinwood, ellinwoodchamber.com.

July 4 Play Day in the Park, Old-Fashioned

July 15-16 Junction City Rodeo, Geary

July 4 Headin’ 4 Home 5K, Centennial Park,

July 15 LakeFest at Warnock Lake, kick-off

Fourth of July, fireworks, Salina, visitsalina. org. Newton, 316-284-3642.

July 8-17 “Lost in Yonkers,” Great Plains

Theatre, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

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County Fairgrounds, Junction City, 785210-6536. concert for Amelia Earhart Festival, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

July 16 Wet & Wild, Rolling Hills Zoo,

Salina, 785-827-9488. July 16 Wichita Art Museum Birthday Bash, 316-268-4921, wichitaartmuseum.org. July 16 20th Annual Amelia Earhart Festival, arts and crafts, entertainment, panels, aerobatic performances, aviation displays, fireworks, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

Kansas’ largest night rodeo, dance, 800-6382707, pprodeo.com.

July 22-23 29-30 Broadway RFD presents

“Theatre Under the Stars,” Lindsborg, 888227-2227, visitlindsborg.com.

July 23 National Day of the Cowboy, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, flinthillsdiscovery.org. July 23 National Day of the Cowboy, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

July 23 Show ‘N Shine Truck and Car Show, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075. July 27-31 “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Music

Theatre Wichita, Century II, MTWichita.org.

July 28-31 Kustom Kemps Of America

Aug. 3-8 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

Manhattan, visitmanhattanks.org.

Aug. 5-6 Smoky Valley Saddle Club Annual

Rodeo, visitmcpherson.com, 800-324-8022.

Tournament, Emporia, 800-279-3730, visitemporia.com.

Aug. 5-7 Goessel Country Threshing Days, wheatco.org.

Aug. 10-21 “Mama Mia!” Music Theatre

Aug. 6 Run for the Hills, Rolling Hills Zoo,

Aug. 7-14 PDGA World Pro Disc Golf

Wichita, Century II, MTWichita.org.

Aug. 12-14 Arma V-J Homecoming, most

(KKOA) 36th Annual Leadsled Spectacular, Thursday Sundown Cruise plus 2,000 1969 and older customized hot rods, customs and drag-racing machines, Oakdale Park, and Elvis concert, Salina, 417-847-2940, kustomkempsofamerica.com.

Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com.

continuously celebrated V-J parade and celebration in the United States, arts and crafts, motorcycle show and competition, veterans; parade, carnival, mud volleyball tournament, armakansas.org.

July 29-30 Bike Festival, Topeka,

Aug. 6 Rhythm and Brews Festival,

Continued on page 36.

VisitTopeka.com.

Salina, 785-827-9488.

Aug. 6-7 Back to School Blast, Rolling Hills Aug. 6 Smoky Valley Classic Car Show,

July 29-31 138th Emancipation Celebration

and Homecoming festival, Nicodemus, 785839-4233.

July 29-Aug. 7 Dodge City Days, PRCA

rodeo, Xtreme bull riding, longhorn cattle drive, concerts, parades, street dances, fiesta, car show, 620-227-3119.

August Aug. 1-3 Jayhawker’s Roundup Rodeo and

Fair, Hill City, 785-421-2141.

Aug. 2-7 Tri Rivers Fair, Rodeo & Draft Horse Pull, Salina, visitsalina.org.

• • • • •

Easy Connections Free Parking Convenient & Friendly Flight Attendant on Board Restrooms on Board

Hays Regional Airport

Book today at www.united.com

l 35

Continued from page 35. Aug. 13 Cruisin’ The Capitol Car Show,

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

Aug. 19 Zoo Brew, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina,

785-827-9488.

Festival, junctioncity.org. Aug. 20 Southwest Truck Parts Annual

Aug. 26-28 Tumbleweed Festival, Garden

Aug. 20-21 Summer Jubilee, Alton with Bull

Aug. 27 Street Dance, Lindsborg, 888-

City Opry and street dance, 785-984-2364.

Aug. 19-21 Flint Hills Beef Fest, Emporia,

Aug. 22-23 Farm, Faith & Family, Wamego celebrates its agricultural heritage, barnyard animals, old-fashioned games, tractors, wamego150.com.

800-279-3730, visitemporia.com.

Aug. 19-21 K&O Steam and Gas Engine Show, Winfield Fairgrounds, 620-221-7608. Aug. 19 Twine-a-thon, Cawker City,

cawkercitykansas.com.

buffalobillfestival.com.

Charity Mud Run, Pratt County Fair Grounds, prattkansas.org.

Aug. 19-20 Seward County PRCA Rodeo,

Liberal, sewardcountyprcarodeo.com.

Aug. 26-28 Buffalo Bill Days, Leavenworth,

Aug. 25-28 Pioneer Harvest Festival, Fort

Scott, 800-245-3678.

Aug. 26-27 Tiblow Days Festival, bands,

City, 620-290-1011. 227-2227, visitlindsborg.com. Aug. 27 Adam’s Apple Festival, parade,

games, craft and food booths, 5k walk/ run, entertainment, Lucas, 785-525-6288, lucaskansas.com. Aug. 27 Bullmania, Pretty Prairie, 800-

638-2702.

Lyons, 620-257-5166.

carnival, crafts, food, run, parade, car show, bbq competition, Bonner Springs, bsedwchamber.org, 913-422-5044.

Aug. 27 Vintage baseball game, Fort Scott

Aug. 20 Fair on the Square and Car Show, Aug. 20 Float Your Boat Cardboard Boat

Aug. 26-27 Roots Festival, music and

Larned National Historic Site, 620-285-6911.

Races and Milford Lake Outdoor Water

barbecue, Paola Park Square, rootsfestival.org.

S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 17

National Historic Site, 620-223-0310. Aug. 27 Park Centennial Celebration, Fort Aug. 27-28 Prairie Plowing Days, south of Concordia, plowing with steam engines on Continued on page 38.

47th ANNUAL

Marion’s 38th annual

The Oasis on the Plains Located at Exit 53 on I-70 • Colby Visitor Center

FIND US ON

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibitors from 16 states | German Food Fest 620.947.3506 | hillsboroartsandcraftsfair.org

& CRAFT SHOW 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shady, relaxed atmosphere F O O D CO U RT • F R E E S H U T T L E 620.382.3425 • marionparksandrec.com

1 D AT E 2 F A I R S I N M A R I O N C O U N T Y

• Prairie Museum of Art & History • Kansas Biggest Barn • Colby Aquatic Park Free information, Colby Convention & Visitors Bureau 350 S. Range #10, Colby, KS 67701 785-460-7643 or 1-800-611-8835

100A 95A 75A

25A 5A 0A

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r o w g e w ith us in M m o C arion County When you find yourself in Marion County, you will find communities enriched with deep historical heritage dedicated to preserving the past and embracing the future. Located in central Kansas, Marion County is a great place for shopping, driving the Santa Fe Trail, exploring museums, having a picnic at any of our beautiful parks, swimming at the County Park & Lake or boating at the Marion County Reservoir. End the day with a meal at any of the 25 restaurants and relax at one of the more than 10 bed & breakfasts or motels. But first take a moment to watch the dramatic sunset and see stars that appear brighter than they do in the city. LODGING

Country Dreams B&B 2309 Clover, Marion • 1-800-570-0540 countrydreamsbedandbreakfast.com

Historic Elgin Hotel B&B, LLC 115 N. 3rd St., Marion • 620-382-3200 Marionelgin.com

Country Haven Inn 804 Western Heights, Hillsboro 1-877-404-2836 countryhaveninn.com

NorthShore Guest House 1475 240th, Marion • 620-382-7275 Northshore-guesthouse.com

Doyle Creek Bunkhouse 2704 110th, Florence • 620-878-4294 Doylecreek.com

The Outdoors Inn 25 Jerome St, Marion • 620-382-3228 Prescott House B&B 1864 E. 4th, Peabody • 316-215-1864 prescotthousebnb@gmail.com

Eight buildings in a village-like setting tell the story of Mennonites who emigrated from the Ukraine in 1874 Open Tues. - Sat. March-November Closed Dec. - Feb. except by appointment 200 N. Poplar, Goessel • 620-367-8200 Enjoy special events, shopping, museums and history at each of Marion County’s 12 unique communities: Burns, Durham, Florence, Goessel, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Lincolnville, Lost Springs, Marion, Peabody, Ramona, and Tampa

GrowMarionCounty.com

Marion County Economic Development • 200 S. 3rd, Suite 4 • Marion, KS 66861 • 620-382-8830

l 37

Continued from page 36.

Saturday and prairie tractors on Sunday, 785-243-4303 or cloudcountytourism.com. Aug. 27, Sept. 3 Fall Wildflower Tours, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Canton, 620628-4455.

September Sept. 2 Intertribal Pow Wow, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Sept. 2-4 Little Balkans Days, Pittsburg,

littlebalkansfestival.com.

Sept. 2-4 Trails, Rails, & Tails: Spirit of the

Sept 3-5 Fort Scott National Historic Site,

Highlights in History, Fort Scott, 800245-3678.

Sept. 3-Oct. 16 Kansas City Renaissance

Sept. 10 Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail

sponsored book signing by Suzi Parron, author of “Following the Barn Quilt Trail,” KsFlintHillsQuiltTrail.com.

Festival, Bonner Springs, weekends, Labor Day and Columbus Day, kcrenfest.com, 913-721-2110.

Sept. 10-Dec. 4 Coded_Couture, exhibition, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University, ulrich.wichita.edu.

Sept. 3-Nov. 13 Haunted Atchison Season,

Sept. 15-18 Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield fairgrounds, six stages of bluegrass and acoustic music plus National Flat-pick Guitar Championship, arts and crafts, food vendors, wvfest.com.

narrated trolley tours, cemetery tours, murder mystery dinners, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

Sept. 8-11 FloraKansas Native Plant Sale, Dyck Arboretum, Hesston, dyckaboretum.org.

Sept. 16-17 Kansas Mariachi Festival,

Sept. 9-11 Huff N’ Puff Balloon Rally, Lake

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

Shawnee, Topeka, huff-n-puff.org.

Chisholm Trail Celebration, kick-off event for the 150th anniversary of the start of the Chisholm Trail, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

Sept. 9-18 Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson,

kansasstatefair.com.

Sept. 16-18 38th annual Wildflower Weekend, Fort Scott area, kansasnativeplant society.org.

Sept. 2-5 Clyde Watermelon Festival, 785-

Sept. 10 Rhino Rumble Poker Run, Rolling

Sept. 17 Santa Fe Days, Maxwell Wildlife

Sept. 3-5 Labor Day Parade & Festival,

Sept. 10 Prairie Wildflower Day, Tallgrass

Sept. 17 Art Gone Wild, Rolling Hills Zoo,

446-3300 or clydekansas.org. Florence, florenceks.com.

‘Expect the Unexpected in Lucas’ Grassroots Arts Capital of Kansas Discover 25 “Outsider Art” Environments

785-525-6288

lucascoc@wtciweb.com www.lucaskansas.com

Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

Prairie National Preserve, 620-273-8494.

Celebrating Scottish Traditions Embracing the world

Lakeside Park McPherson, KS macfestival.org

www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com

Grassroots Art Center • 785-525-6118 www.grassrootsart.net

$1 Off All Tours with Ad

38 l

Salina, 785-827-9488.

l of C estiva25, 201ultures F 6 sonber 24r e h McP Septem

Garden of Eden • 785-525-6395

Visit our Bowl Plaza public restrooms and Miller’s Park

Refuge, Canton, 620-628-4455.

Highland Games • Music Dancing • Food

Sept. 17 Ride for the Dogs motorcycle run

and party, Newton. 316-283-0839.

Sept. 17 38th Annual Art in the Park

and Craft Show, Marion, 620-382-3425, marionparksandrec.com.

Sept. 17 47th annual Hillsboro Arts & Crafts

Fair, exhibitors from 16 states, German food, hillsboroartsandcraftsfair.org.

Sept. 17 Vintage & Experimental Aircraft

Fly-In, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

Sept. 21-23 Bald Eagle Rendezvous, primitive encampments and reenactments, Lecompton, lecomptonkansas.com. Sept. 22 Taste of Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. Sept. 23-24 Jamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in JC Blues & BBQ Festival, jammininjc.com. Sept. 23-25 The Land Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th

Anniversary Prairie Festival, Salina, landinstitute.org.

With the historic courthouse as a backdrop, Friday night jam sessions continue in Cottonwood Falls even though the Emma Chase Cafe has closed. PHOTO BY HARLAND J. SCHUSTER

Sept. 24 Concordia Fall Fest in downtown Concordia and MusicFest at new Broadway Plaza, 785-243-4290 or concordiakansaschamber.com.

Emma Chase Friday Night Jam Sessions

Sept. 24 Kansas Chocolate Festival, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Sept. 24-Jan. 8 Going Home: Hidden Histories of the Flint Hills, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, flinthillsdiscovery.org.

Gathering in Cottonwood Falls on Friday evenings is a popular pastime for musicians and those who want to listen. Depending on the weather, musicians gather inside at Prairie PastTimes or outside in front of Keller Feed & Wine Co. restaurant, both on Broadway. The musical genre varies: first Friday of the month is gospel music; the second is bluegrass, the third is country-folk-bluegrass; and the fourth is old time rock-n-roll and vintage. Music is from 7:30 to 10 p.m. For more info, see the Emma Chase Music page on Facebook.

Continued on page 40.

Visit Visit

LEAVENWORTH "The "The First First City City of of Kansas" Kansas" Experience Experience our our 28-block 28-block historic historic downtown downtown shopping shopping district district filled filled with with small small businesses businesses and and boutiques, boutiques, and unique restaurants, then explore our and unique restaurants, then explore our fascinating fascinating attractions attractions and and historic historic Fort Fort Leavenworth. Leavenworth.

Contact Contact us us to to plan plan your your next next visit visit to to the the First First City City of of Kansas! Kansas!

www.visitleavenworthks.com www.visitleavenworthks.com (913) (913) 682-4113 682-4113

@leavenworthcvb @leavenworthcvb

l 39

Continued from page 39. Sept. 24 Smoky Hill Museum Street

Fair, Smoky Hill Museum, Salina, smokyhillmuseum.org.

Sept. 24 Harvey County Chili Cook-off and Red Hot Chili Pepper 5K, downtown Newton. 316-283-3642, ToNewton.com.

winfieldarts.org.

Scottish Traditions, Embracing the World, Highland games, Scottish dancers, musicians, ethnic foods, McPherson, macfestival.org.

Oct. 1 Lincolnville Octoberfest, 620-924-5208. Oct. 1 Marion County Lake annual Chili Cook-off, Horse Shoe Tournament, marioncountyparkandlake.com.

Sept. 23-25, Oct. 1-2 Ciderfest, Louisburg

Cider Mill, music, food, maze, Kansas products, Louisburg, louisburgcidermill.com.

Sept. 24 Old Settler’s Day, Marion, parade, food and games, marionks.com.

Sept. 25 KC Catfish Midwest Open

Championship, grand finale, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net.

Oct. 1 William Allen White Legacy Day, Emporia, 800-279-3730, visitemporia.com.

Sept. 24 Vesper Vintage, Vesper, junque,

Sept. 29 Taste of Newton street festival,

Oct. 1 Bethel College fall festival, North Newton, and Air Capital Fly-In, Newton, ToNewton.com.

repurposed, antique, rescued, primitive, vintage. 785-527-0465.

Sept. 24 Old Settler’s Day, Ag Heritage Park,

Alta Vista, AgHeritagePark.com.

Sept. 24 Race the Chase, endurance running

downtown Newton, 316-283-2560.

Oct. 1 Fun Day, Family Festival & Car Show, Glasco, 785-568-0120.

October

Oct. 1 Burnin’ Down Main Cook-Off, McPherson, visitmcpherson.com, 800324-8022.

Oct. 1 Fall Fest, downtown Ulysses,

challenge, Cottonwood Falls, racethechase.com.

ulysseschamber.org.

Sept. 24-25 Festival of Cultures: Celebrating

Oct. 1 Art in the Park, Island Park, Winfield,

Oct. 1 Oktoberfest, German foods and music, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. Oct. 1-31 3rd Street Asylum Haunted

House, Bonner Springs, weekends, 3rdstreetasylum.com.

Welcome to Miami County Visit over 20 agricultural destinations in Miami County and beyond. Call 913-294-4335 for more information or visit us at www.adayonthefarm.com.

Oct. 1-Jan. 2 Eat Well, Play Well, national

traveling exhibition about food, calories and fitness, Exploration Place, Wichita, exploration.org.

Oct. 1-Jan. 2 Human Plus: Real Lives + Real

Engineering, national traveling exhibition, Exploration Place, Wichita, exploration.org.

2016 FARM TOURS: May 7-8 and Oct. 15-16

Oct. 2 Apple Festival, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Oct. 2 Atchison County Hand Corn Shucking Contest, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. October 2-3 Chisholm Trail Days, Abilene,

abilenekansas.org.

Oct. 7-9 Mountain Man Rendezvous,

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Canton, maxwellwildliferefuge.com.

Oct. 7-9 Columbus Day Festival and

Friday & Saturday; 11-5 Sunday; 12-5

27th Hot-Air Balloon Regatta, Columbus, columbusdayballoons.com.

16381 West 343rd, Paola, KS 913-849-3415 • www.nighthawkwines.com

Oct. 8 Pumpkin PaZoola, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

100

Russell County “Alive with History, Culture, & Commerce”

Cael Evans Memorial Russell 95 County Youth Hunt 75

Switchgrass Moutain Bike Trail

Flatland Car Show

2016 Ciderfest Weekends: Sept. 24-25, Oct. 1-2 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Russell County Economic Development & CVB (877) 830-3737 • www.russellcoks.org

Russell Kansas

40 l

Oct. 8 Monster Myths by Moonlight, Milford State Park, 785-238-5323. Oct. 8 Ozfest (games, contests, food vendors, live entertainment), Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz, Liberal, visitliberal.com. Oct. 8 Coronado Heights Run, Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com. Oct. 8 Candlelight Tours, Fort Larned National Historic Site, 620-285-6911. Oct. 8-9 Antique Engine & Steam Show, Yesteryear Museum, Salina, visitsalina.org. Oct. 8-9 Tired Iron Show, Santa Fe Trail Center Museum, blacksmithing, sawmilling, wheat threshing, antiques, food, entertainment, Larned, 620-285-2054. Oct. 9 Falun Classic 34-Mile Bicycle Ride, Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com. Oct. 12-16 14th Tallgrass Film Festival,

screenings, panel discussions, Wichita, tallgrassfilmfest.com.

Oct. 13-15 3i Show, Dodge City, 620-

227-8082.

Oct 14-15 Gordon Parks Celebration, Fort Scott, 800-245-3678. Oct. 15 International Lineman’s Rodeo,

National Agricultural Center and Hall of

Continued on page 42.

Prairie Days at Little House on the Prairie Museum, an official Laura Ingalls Wilder home site located 12 miles south of Independence off Highway 75, is June 11. The museum and reconstruction of the 1869 log cabin where the Ingalls family lived is open daily AprilSeptember and weekends in October. More info at littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com, 800-882-3606.

Ellsworth Steak House 1416 Foster Road • 785-472-3043 Robson’s Card & Gift 211 N. Douglas Ave. • 785-472-3931

114½ N. Douglas • Ellsworth, KS 67439 785-472-4071 • ecofc@eaglecom.net www.goellsworth.com

l 41

Continued from page 41.

Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075. Oct. 15 Dia De Los Muertos Street Fair,

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

Oct. 15 Prairie Harvest Festival, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 620-273-8494. Oct. 22-23 Mother Earth News Fair, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Oct. 15-16 Miami County Fall Farm Tour, visit local cider mill, wineries and other agrelated attractions, adayonthefarm.com. Oct. 21-22 Haunted Halloween Train, Atchison Rail Museum, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. Oct. 21-29 Neewollah, Kansas’ largest

annual celebration, Independence, neewollah. com, 877-633-9655.

Oct. 26-30 American Veterans Traveling Tribute (Vietnam Wall), Leavenworth, FirstCityofKansas.com Oct. 31 Trick or Treat on the Trails, Lyons, 620-257-5166.

November

Focus on Gordon Parks The work of internationally known Kansas photographer Gordon Parks is on display at Wichita State’s Ulrich Museum of Art until April 10 and at the Wichita Art Museum until May 8. The WAM exhibition includes photographs Parks took in his hometown of Fort Scott (above) while on assignment for LIFE magazine. Memorabilia and photographs are on display year-round at the Gordon Parks Museum and Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College (open Monday-Friday). An annual Gordon Parks Celebration, this year Oct. 14-15, includes narrated trolley tours about his life in Fort Scott. For more information, visit gordonparks center.org. GELATIN SILVER PRINT COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON AND THE GORDON PARKS FOUNDATION | PORTRAIT BY GARY PALMER

42 l

Nov. 1-Jan. 1 Antique Christmas display, Lecompton, lecomptonkansas.com. Nov. 2-12 All Veterans Tribute in Emporia, the founding city of Veterans Day, parade, talent show, art exhibit, Emporia, 800-2793730, visitemporia.com. Nov. 5 Topeka Veteran’s Parade, Topeka, VisitTopeka.com. Nov. 5-6 French Market (shopping, bake sale)

Baker Arts Center, Liberal,bakerartscenter.org.

Nov. 11 Veterans Day Parade, Leavenworth,

lvvetsparade.com.

Nov. 12 Veterans’ Day Parade, Lyons, 620257-5166. Nov. 12 20th birthday party, Tallgrass Prairie

National Preserve, 620-273-8494.

Nov. 29 Christmas Parade, Emporia, 800-

279-3730, visitemporia.com.

December Dec. 1 Miracles and Magic Lighted Christmas

Nov. 13 Taste of Adventure, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, 785-827-9488.

Parade, Ulysses, ulysseschamber.org.

Nov. 20-Dec. 25 Christmas in Old Dodge

Arboretum, Hesston, dyckaboretum.org.

City, VisitDodgeCity.org.

Nov. 20-Dec. 30 Winfield Isle of Lights,

isleoflights.org.

Nov. 23-Dec. 31 Winter Wonderland,

Topeka, VisitTopeka.com.

Nov. 23-Dec. 31 Chautauqua Isle of Lights, Beloit, 785-738-2717. Nov. 26 Miracle on Kansas Avenue, Topeka,

VisitTopeka.com.

Nov. 25 Christmas Parade, Junction City, junctioncitychamber.org

Dec. 2-3 Winter Luminary Walk, Dyck

Dec 2-3 Candlelight Tour, Fort Scott National

Historic Site, 800-245-3678.

Dec. 2-4 Christmas Homes Tour, horse-

drawn trolley rides, Christmas in the Cabin, Abilene, abilenekansas.org.

Dec. 2-3, 9-10 Victorian Christmas at

Cowtown, Wichita, oldcowtown.org.

Dec. 3 Spring Hill Ranch Candlelight Tours, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 620273-8494.

gingerbread house making, McPherson Museum, 1-4 p.m., mcphersonmuseum.com. Dec. 3 Fort Riley Tour of Homes, fortrileyhistoricalsociety.org. Dec. 3 Sights & Sounds of Christmas, Atchison, atchisonkansas.net. Dec. 3-4 Folk Art Festival (arts and crafts

show), Seward County Activity Center, Liberal, visitliberal.com.

Dec. 3-4, 10-11 Santa Express, National

Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, aghalloffame.com, 913-721-1075.

Dec. 3 & 10 Old-Fashioned Christmas, Old Mill Museum complex, Lindsborg, 888-2272227, visitlindsborg.com. Dec. 4 Tea with Personality, McPherson Opera House: Holiday Special Royale Tea with Abigail Adams, First Lady and early American feminist, 2:30 p.m., visitmcpherson.com. Dec. 10 Lucia Festival, Swedish tradition

Dec. 3 Artists’ Studio Open House,

Arboretum, Hesston, dyckaboretum.org.

Lindsborg, 888-227-2227, visitlindsborg.com.

celebrates Winter Solstice, Lindsborg, 888227-2227, visitlindsborg.com.

Nov. 25-Dec. 18 Yesteryear Museum

Dec. 3 Five Places of Christmas, free

Dec. 8-22 Holiday Light Tours Aboard the McPherson Trolley, 620-241-3340, visitmcpherson.com, 800-324-8022.

Nov. 25-26 Winter Luminary Walk, Dyck

Drive-thru Christmas Light Show, Yesteryear Museum, Salina, visitsalina.org.

admission to Harvey County museums and attractions, 316-284-3642, ToNewton.com.

Nov. 28 Christmas ChiliFest and Parade of

Dec. 3 Christmas Open House with

Lights, Dodge City, 620-225-4151.

Dec. 11 Annual Candlelight Vintage Homes

Tour, Leavenworth, leavenworthhistory.org.

Explore the Western Vistas Historic Byway The First in Kansas Buffalo Bill Cultural/ Visitor’s Center and 2X life size bronze sculpture. Fick Fossil and History Museum

Monument Rocks the badlands of Kansas

www.DiscoverOakley.com

785-671-1000

l 43

The index includes locations and advertisers, but not events or calendar listings. Abilene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 2, 10 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad . . . . . . . . 10 Alton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Amtrak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Anthony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Arikaree Breaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Arkansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Assaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Atchison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 5, 23 Augusta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Balloon Festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery . . . . . . . . . 4 Blacksmith Coffee Shop & Roastery . . . . . . . 4 Blind Tiger Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 19 Blue Skye Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 19 Bonner Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Boot Hill Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover Botanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Brookville Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22 Carriage Factory Art Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cawker City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chase County Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 15 Cheney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 19 Cheyenne Bottoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Chisholm Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chisholm Trail Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Choice Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Cloud County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Coffeyville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Colby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 36, 44 Columbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 42 Concordia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9, 39 Coronado Quivira Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cottonwood Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 41 Council Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Cowtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Defiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 19 Dodge City . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 32, 41, back cover El Dorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 18 Elk Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ellsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Emporia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 7, 17, 19 Exploration Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Farley’s Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fick Fossil and History Museum . . . . . . 14, 43 Flint Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 12, 15 Flint Hills Barn Quilt Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fort Larned National Historic Site . . . . . . . . . 21, 22, 23, 24 Fort Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 20, 22, 39 Fort Scott National Historic Site . . . . . . 20, 22 Franklin County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

44 l

Free State Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Gallery XII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Geary County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Geary State Fishing Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Gella’s Diner and Lb. Brewing Co. . . . . . 17, 19 Glasco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Goessel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Goodland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gordon Parks Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Gove County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Grant County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Great Bend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 14 Greensburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Greyhound Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Gypsum Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13, 14 Hays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 18, 19, 32, 35 Hemslojd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Heritage Center & Museum of Independent Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 High Plains Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Highway 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 28 Hillsboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 36 Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Holiday Inn Express & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Hoot Owl Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Hoxie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hutchinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1, 27, 42 Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum . . . . 10 Junction City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 32, 43 Kansas Bed & Breakfast Association . . . . . 28 Kansas Originals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Kansas Sampler Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Kansas Sampler Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Lake Shawnee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Larned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Lawrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Leavenworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Lecompton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Liberal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 32, 36 Lindsborg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5, 29 Little House on the Prairie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Louisburg Cider Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Lyons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29 Manhattan . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 32 Marion Art in the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Marion County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Maxwell Wildlife Refuge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13 McPherson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 38 McPherson Festival of Cultures . . . . . . . . . . 38 Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Miami County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Mid-America All-Indian Center . . . . . . . . . . 31 Middle Creek Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Midsummer’s Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 29 Monument Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 13 Museums on the River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Music Theatre Wichita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 National Orphan Train Museum . . . . . 8-9, 38 New Lancaster General Store . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Newton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 26 Nicodemus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23 Nighthawk Vineyard & Winery . . . . . . . . . . 40 Oakley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14, 43 Ottawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Paola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 POW Camp Concordia Museum . . . . . . . . . . 9 Prairie Band Casino . . . . . . inside back cover Pratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Pretty Prairie Rodeo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Quivira National Wildlife Refuge . . . . . . 12, 14 Radius Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 19 Renaissance Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Rice County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Rolling Hills Zoo . . . . . . inside front cover, 25 Rooks County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Russell County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Salina . . . . . . . . inside front cover, 2, 16, 17, 19 Salina Symphony . . . . . . . . . inside front cover Scott City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 13 Scott’s Hometown Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sedan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Seelye Mansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sheridan County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Small World Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Smoky Hill Museum . . . . . . inside front cover Smoky Hill River Festival . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover, 2 Solomon Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 28 South-Central Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Strataca Underground Salt Museum . . . . . 14 Swedish Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Swedish Crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Tallgrass Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17, 18, 19 Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22, 27 Topeka . . . 9, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, inside back Tradhuset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Trollslanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ulrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 39 Ulysses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Vetehuset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Wamego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Wellington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Wichita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 19, 26, 30, 31 Wichita Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 39 Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Wineries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Winfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3