Spring and Summer Events Sweep Across Kansas

03-19-2009

Festivals, family fun and history swirl through events themes

March 18, 2009, Topeka, Kan. … Like spring showers and summer rainbows, the seasons bring a wide array of festivals and family fun to Kansas. From breathtaking fields of wildflowers and magnificent windswept prairies, to cozy small town coffee shops and national historic sites, events and festivals take place across the state all spring and summer long. Here is a sampling of the many events that can be found throughout Kansas; a complete list can be found at www.TravelKS.com.

Chase County Prairie Fire Festival – Cottonwood Falls, April 6-11, 2009: This annual spring tradition honors the burning of the tallgrass prairie pastures in the Flint Hills. Events surrounding this tradition incl! ude lectures about the history and purpose of the burning, the flora and fauna of the prairie, music and art. For more information, call 620-273-6020 or visit www.prairiefirefestival.com.

Tulip Time – Topeka, April 10-26, 2009: The annual Tulip Time Festival, featuring nearly 100,000 tulips and daffodils, has been expanded to several Topeka areas, including Lake Shawnee Ted Ensley Gardens, Old Prairie Town and Botanical Garden, Doran Rock Garden and Reinisch Rose Garden, and the Matrot Castle and Vineyard. For more information, call 785-272-8989.

28th Annual William Inge Theatre Festival – Independence, April 22-25, 2009: This year’s festival will honor Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, co-creators of The Fantasticks. Each year, the festival is attended by professional actors and directors from Broadway and Los Angeles. Professional perfo! rmances will entertain visitors at night, and during the day, the general public may meet the performers at theater workshops and seminars in a relaxed, intimate environment. For more information, call 620-332-5492 or 800-842-6063 or visit www.ingecenter.org.

Kansas Sampler Festival – Concordia, May 2-3, 2009: The Kansas Sampler Festival brings more than 150 communities from all over the state together to provide a sample of what there is to see and do in Kansas. Whether you are looking for hiking trails, historic sites, natural landmarks, off-the-beaten track eateries, specialty shops or can’t miss Kansas events, this festival is for you! For more information, call 785-243-4303 or visit www.kansassamplerfestival.com.

Wichita River Festival – Wichita, May 8-16, 2009: Nine days of entertainment includes over 60 events to enjoy, such as concerts, sporting events, river events, kids’ activities and fireworks. For more information, call 316-267-2817 or 877-931-3378 or visit www.wichitariverfestival.com.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site’s 5th Anniversary – Topeka, May 17, 2009: Since its grand opening five years, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site has seen thousands of visitors from twenty countries around the world. Come celebrate their 5th anniversary! For more information, call 785-354-4273 or visit www.nps.gov/brvb.

Little Britches Rodeo – Dodge City, May 22-25, 2009: This event is one of the nation’s oldest and longest running Little Britches rodeos. For more information, call 620-225-2244 or 866-327-6336.

Flint Hills Rodeo – Strong City, June 5-7, 2009: What began in a pasture on a Flint Hills ranch over 70 years ago, is now the oldest consecutive rodeo in Kansas. This annual three-day PRCA-sanctioned event celebrates the legacy of ranching and the cowboy life. For more information, call 620-273-6480 or visit www.flinthillsrodeo.com.
Smoky Hill River Festival – Salina, June 11-14, 2009: This festival is a symphony of contrasts of art, music and food, all at one of the most beautiful and historic of Salina's parks. For more information, call 785-309-5770 or visit www.riverfestival.com.

Symphony in the Flint Hills – Florence, June 13, 2009: The 4th annual concert will be held on a private ranch deep in the heart of the Flint Hills. Enjoy the coming together of art, nature and! the kindred souls who appreciate both. For more information, call 620-273-8955 or visit www.symphonyintheflinthills.org.

Pretty Prairie Rodeo – Pretty Prairie, July 15-18, 2009: In its 72nd year, Kansas' Largest Night Rodeo, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association, is great family fun. For more information, call 620-664-6093 or 800-638-2702 or visit www.pprodeo.com.

Amelia Earhart Festival – Atchison, July 17-18, 2009: This 13th annual event honors Atchison's favorite daughter, high-flyer Amelia Earhart. The event includes an arts and crafts fair, carnival rides, speakers' symposium with women of distinction, an award luncheon, aviation displays and a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music and staged over the river. For more information, call 913-367-2485 or 800-234-1854.

Dodge City Days – Dodge City, July 24-Aug. 2, 2009: Enjoy the rich Western heritage that is overflowing in Dodge City during this 10-day celebration. More than 50 events, including a PRCA rodeo, craft show and KidFest, make this annual event flourish. For more information, call 620-227-3119 or visit www.dodgecitydays.com.

For more information on traveling in Kansas, call 785-296-2009 or visit www.TravelKS.com. All press materials are available for downloading via the website’s media gallery.

 

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