Old Fashion 4th of July, Eisenhower Park, Abilene

Old Fashion 4th of July, Eisenhower Park, Abilene, includes a 5k road run, 1 mile Fun Run, 2 Mile Walk and Mud Volleyball - and, Baby Beauty contest, Cake Walk, Frog & Turtle races, and Water Balloon Toss. The evening features an 8 pm City Band Performance and 9:45 pm "Start the Fireworks!


See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

87th Annual July 4th Celebration, Peabody, Kansas

87th Annual July 4th Celebration, Peabody, Kansas, will be the first of several holiday events I will mention here in coming days. Most communities around the Kansas Flint Hills have some celebrations, we will just highlight a few. The High School Alumni Dance starts the celebratin on Thursday night, July 3. Activities on Friday start with the 6 am Salute, include the 5 pm parade,and conclude with 10 pm (approx) Fireworks.

There is a Softball Tournament on Saturday, and a DANCE, with the Callahan Band, on Saturday night.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Territorial Days, June 27 & 28

OK, forgive me, this is outside the Flint Hills - but, it is our state heritage, and I encourage you to consider participating in the Historic LeCompton Territorial Days.


Enjoy all the activities, but especially on Saturday, starting at 9 am, are the free demonstrations of pioneer skills and living history... folks dressed in period costumes and doing pioneer crafts.

Be sure your youngsters get the opportunity to see and hear, to get them excited about their past and how our ancestors helped get us to today... it didn't just happen. They didn't push a button. They worked hard and sincerely to build this land.

See you in, and near, the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Traveling Exhibit Update

The Traveling Exhibit of Flint Hills photos by Jim Richardson in National Geographic's April 2007 issue opens on July 1, running through August 3, at the Overland Park Convention & Visitor's Bureau. [See note added at end!] This is great opportunity for folks in the Greater Kansas City area to view the photos and be reminded of the fine scenery and distinctive landscapes located just a few miles to the west, in the Kansas Flint Hills.

In addition, the Exhibit reminds everyone that just driving across I-70 to the west, or I-35 toward Wichita, is only a glimpse of the Kansas Flint Hills... plan a little extra time, and drive K-177, the Flint Hills National Scenic ByWay... stop off in Council Grove, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Cottonwood Falls, or any of the other fine small communities with distinctive characteristics reminding us of memories of our youth, on the farms and ranches, the rural areas of America of times gone by. Slow down, and drink in these memories and experiences - even for a few hours. Enjoy a few relaxing moments of silence on the prairie.

Added note, in case you don't read the comments, from Overland Park CVB, THANK YOU!:
The exhibit is sponsored by the Overland Park Convention & Visitors Bureau (OPCVB), but will be on display at Art at the Center, located on the lower level of the Overland Park Convention Center. The address is 6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66211. For more information, please contact the OPCVB at 800-262-7275.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

2008 American Barnstormers Tour

The 2008 American Barnstormers Tour is scheduled to be at Jabara Airport in Wichita, June 25-26.

This tour showcases as many as 20 meticulousy restored vintage aircraft and is a nostalgic salute to the dashing young men and women who ventured across America during the 1920's seeking fame and fortune. Each afternoon the aircraft will take to the skies for the "Barnstormers Parade of Flight" with Master of Ceremonies, Frank Rezich. Biplane rides available for $50 per passenger. (weather permitting)

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Harvey House Picnic

Get ready to visit Florence next weekend for the 2008 Harvey House Picnic on the Lawn.
Your free will offering helps support the museum and ongoing expenses. For your generous donation you will enjoy fried fish, mountain oysters, in-season vegetables, homemade rolls and a wide variety of salads and desserts! YUM! ;-)

This annual event, held the Saturday before the 4th of July each year, will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Learn about the Harvey House history, at the event, and by clicking here.
Your support of the picnic will support the work to maintain this fine piece of heritage in Florence!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

57th National Square Dance Convention

The 57th National Square Dance Convention will hold opening ceremonies on June 25 in Wichita at W. Woodward Price Park. The convention runs through June 28.


This is the first time for a National Square Dance Convention to be scheduled in Wichita and Kansas. For many dancers, it is the first opportunity to see the state. We hope many of them will visit the Kansas Flint Hills during their visit.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Live Music Night in Alma

Stop by Pop's Place, 301 Missouri, Alma, KS (785.765.2500) for Live Music, Saturday night, June 21st, from 7 pm to 10 pm. Bring your lawn chair!

Featured will be Dave Boyd & Friends (Western/Western Swing/Gospel), all the way from Holton, KS.

Pop's Place is more than just Ice Cream & Sandwiches. It's Fun for the Whole Family!!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

More Symphony in the Flint Hills Blogs!

Here are three more, for your reading pleasure!

http://sandhillsgazette.blogspot.com/2008/06/symphony-in-prairie.html

http://wildlifewaterfalls.blogspot.com/


http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/backroad-musings/2008/jun/17/diamonds-in-the-grass/

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Symphony in the Flint Hills on the Blogs

The Symphony as gotten great coverage on the Blogs - here are a few, if you haven't seen them:

http://www.flyoverpeople.net/news/index.php/archive/symphony-in-the-flint-hills/

http://blackteachailatte.blogspot.com/2008/06/flint-hills.html

http://www.kansasprairie.net/kansasprairieblog/?p=7966

http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/2008/06/home-on-range.html

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Heritage Barn Tour

Goessel's Mennonite Heritage Barn Tour is a nostalgic tour of barns in the Goessel community on a Sunday afternoon in June. Each barn on the tour has a unique story. Learn about the people that farmed the Kansas prairies and the central role of the barn to the farm family. See how these wonderful structures are being preserved and new uses found on the Mennonite Heritage Museum's Barn Tour.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Visit Pioneer Bluffs, near Matfield Green

Pioneer Bluffs will hold an open house from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, June 14. Stop by on your way to the Symphony, perhaps. Pioneer Bluffs Historic District is located one mile north of Matfield Green on the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. Watch for the stone fencing on the east side of the road (fifteen miles south of Cottonwood Falls, as well). See the new ten year Master Plan and enjoy some cold lemonade and cookies as you travel the Kansas Flint Hills.


I visited on Monday afternoon. They are still in the very early stages of development, but it is a fantastic addition to the Flint Hills Heritage collection of sites being preserved, maintained and dedicated to education for the future of our region. And, as always in Kansas, great people to talk to and work with... !! ;-)

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Madison Days

June 13-15 is the time for the annual Madison Days, this year. Nestled int he Verdigris Valley and surrounded by the Kansas Flint Hills in northern Greenwood County on K99, Madison Days is the place for family fun: costume contest, parade, sloppy joe feed, food sales, arts and crafts and much more.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Frontier Western Celebration - El Dorado

On Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15, enjoy and relive the frontier cowboy heritage at the Frontier Western Celebration, at El Dorado, in Butler County, Kansas.

Check their website at: http://eldoradomainstreet.org/festival.htm for more details. This is the "2nd Annual" festival event sponsored by the El Dorado Main Street organization. The World Famous Budweiser Clysdsales are returning for their second year. The NABA Sanctioned "Extreme Bull Blowout" bull riding competition takes place Saturday night.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Prairie Art 2008 - Cottonwood Falls

6th Annual Prairie Art Plein Air Event & Art Auction, Saturday, June 7th, Art Auction at 11 am. Prairie Coffee Company, 333 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls, featuring over 30 landscape artists. Come for the great art and stay for the Rodeo Parade & Chase County Rodeo.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

71st Annual Flint Hills Rodeo - June 6-7-8, Strong City, KS

One of the most historic and distinctive annual events in the Kansas Flint Hills occurs this coming weekend, the Oldest Consecutive Rodeo in Kansas, the 71st Annual Flint Hills Rodeo, in Strong City, Chase County, Kansas. PRCA Rodeo takes place each evening, Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m., as well as at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, with other events going on through the weekend.


I took this photo at the rodeo in Strong City, last year! Hope you can be there, this year!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Flint Hills Prairie Wildflower and Pasture Tour

June 12 is the day of the 16th Annual Flint Hills Prairie Wildflower and Pasture Tour in Chase County. The two tours will be held at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

If you want to participate: 1) Registration is required. Tours are limited to 200 people at each time; 2) Persons having reduced mobility needs may call for more information; and 3) To make reservations, please call the Chase County Extension Office at (620) 273-6491 or the Butler County Extension Office.

Registered tour participants are asked to meet on Kansas Highway 177 in Matfield Green in front of the BNSF railway office (old Matfield Green Post Office) or at the Cassoday Grade School in Cassoday. The bus caravan will proceed off main roads with stops at pasture sites in Chase County.

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)

Chingawassa Days Festival - Marion

June 6-8 are the Chingawassa Days in Marion. Watch for the Rhinos, all around town, while you are there!


See details of the Chingawassa Days Festival at: http://www.chingawassa.com/
Be sure to check out the 2008 Poster, on the upper right of the website front page, AND, click on Schedule for an excellent (PDF file) detailed daily schdule.

Check it out!!

See you in the Kansas Flint Hills! ;-)