KANSAS NEWS ALERTS VOLUME #18: AUGUST 09

New ideas in the areas of agritourism, outdoor, culinary, cultural, history, heritage and more

McPherson, KS Announces 16th Scottish Festival:  Named to America’s 100 Best Events for 2009 by the American Bus Association (ABA), the 16th Annual Scottish Festival in McPherson, KS takes place September 25-27, 2009 and celebrates the heritage of Scotland, Ireland and the other Celtic nations.  This festival of family entertainment features music, dance, hands-on kids’ activities, reenactors and great food and drink, including ethnic specialties.  The clans and families of Scotland will be featured this year, and visitors can learn about the history and heritage of Scotland through representatives at various clan tents.  For those interested in studying their individual family's history, members of the local genealogical society will give pointers for finding family history, whether Scottish or any other ethnicity.  For more information visit www.macfestival.org.

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum Receives Highest National Recognition:  The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM).  This is the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums and signifies excellence to the museum community and the museum-going public through exemplary standards.  From fashion to the electric guitar to the Wichitan who invented Mentholatum, the museum is filled with wonderful displays that educate the public on local history.  For more information and operating hours visit www.wichitahistory.org.

Art and the Animal Premieres in Salina, KS:  Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure in Salina, KS hosts the premiere of Art and the Animal, September 5 – November 1, 2009.  This juried exhibition includes 122 pieces of flat works and! sculptures from Members of the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), one of the most prestigious associations of artists specializing in wildlife subject matter in the world.  Members work in all types of media including paint, pastel, pencil, wood, stone, steel and bronze.  For more information visit www.rollinghillswildlife.com.

For more information on the entire state of Kansas, visit www.travelks.com.