Kansas Journals: June 2012

NEWS ALERTS
VOLUME #50: June, 2012

Once a month the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism distributes this brief newsletter, providing tourism  updates from throughout the state of Kansas. Highlights include a title, brief descriptor and a link for more details. Not all  highlights will be of interest to everyone. They are simply intended to entice new story ideas in the areas of agritourism, outdoor, culinary, cultural, history, heritage and more. For more information contact Amy Larson, alarson@csg-pr.com or 303-433-7020.

Blockbuster Star Wars Exhibit Appearing this Summer in Wichita:  In the Star Wars cinematic galaxy, Landspeeders replace cars; spaceships replace planes, and Droids live and work side-by-side with humans.  While these modes of transport and robots were merely science fiction when Star Wars debuted in 1977, today they don’t seem so far-fetched. In the Star Wars:® Where Science Meets Imagination national traveling exhibit, which opened at Exploration Place in Wichita on Saturday, May 26, visitors see just how closely science and fantasy work together and investigate the real science behind the fantasy technology.

     The 8,500 square foot exhibit – the largest Exploration Place has ever hosted –is filled with hands-on interactives, concentrating on two technology themes: Getting Around and Robots and People (how people and robots relate to each other). The exhibit also includes more than 80 props, models and costumes from the  Star Wars films.  Families will enjoy examining Luke Skywalker’s original Landspeeder from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and then sitting in a hovercraft vehicle to experience what it is like to float on air.  They’ll meet C-3PO and R2-D2 and explore how people related to robots in Star Wars. Real-world robots will also be examined, demonstrating how they navigate, sense and understand the world around them.  For more information on this exciting new exhibit, including ticket prices and hours, visit www.exploration.org.

Prairie Ghost Gallery Opens in Paxico, Kansas:  Located in the historic antique district in Paxico, just west of Topeka, Prairie Ghost Gallery recently opened in the 1886 General Store and features beautiful Native American and wildlife art from many different mediums.  Paintings and books, bronzes and pottery, and silk scarves and ties are all part of the offerings, with additional pieces from talented artists being added to the gallery on a regular basis.  Prairie Ghost Gallery will gift a portion of the sale of certain designated artworks to some well deserving organizations including KU Breast Cancer Prevention Center and the Nature Conservancy in Kansas.  For more information on the artists and artwork visitwww.prairieghostgallery.com. 

Kansas Offers Plenty of Fishing Lakes for Great Summer Outings:  Try one of 40 Kansas state fishing lakes this summer and discover what other anglers have grown to love. These Kansas gems offer an escape from crowding and long boat-launch wait times, as well as plenty of parking and lots of fun for anglers of all ages.  In addition to fishing, picnicking and primitive camping are popular activities at state fishing lakes. Some — including Kingman, McPherson, Mined Land, and Ottawa — offer modern, affordable cabins for those who prefer not to camp.  Boats aren’t necessary.  Numerous piers, jetties, and accessible shorelines are available for easy access.  For more information on the fishing lakes in Kansas visitwww.kdwpt.state.ks.us.     

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