Events

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4th of July with the Kansas State Parks

It’s been awhile since our last post – we’ve been hard at work out on the trails in this (relatively) balmy weather. We’ve been on the trails in south central and south east Kansas from El Dorado Lake to Cross Timbers State Park.

One of this year's cutest baby contestants enjoying watermelon in 2012

One of this year’s cutest baby contestants enjoying watermelon at the 2012 Old Fashioned 4th of July

But we’re taking a break to celebrate the 4th of July in Sterling with its Old Fashioned 4th of July. From an early morning run, to watching the turtle races, to rooting for our favorite in the cutest baby contest, and, of course, fireworks and lots of yummy food, it’s going to be a great day to relax and recharge to get ready to get back on the trails.

As for Kansas state parks, there’s only one that allows fireworks: Elk City State Park: July 1-4, 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Designated area only.

But there are plenty of fun and free events for the 4th at the parks. (If you don’t have an annual park pass, you’ll likely need to get a $5 day pass for any and all vehicles coming into the park.) From the KDWPT website:

7/4/13

Eisenhower State Park – Splash of Color (Tie Dye T-shirts) from 3 to 5pm.

El Dorado State Park – Fireworks Display

Friends of El Dorado Lake – Parade

Friends of Pomona State Park – Free Movie Night/Coffee and Donuts

Pomona State Park – Fireworks Display

7/5/13

Eisenhower State Park – “Wreck-It Ralph” Movie Night

Toronto Point/City of Toronto – Toronto Days

7/6/13

Cross Timbers State Park – Toronto Days

Eisenhower State Park – Sand Castle Contest

Glen Elder State Park – Fireworks display

Kanopolis State Park – Fireworks display

Perry State Park – Fireworks display

Wilson State Park – Lake Wilson Area Association Poker Run

7/7/13

Toronto Point/City of Toronto – Toronto Days

 

How are you going to be celebrating the 4th?

 

 

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Food and fun: Smoky Hill River Festival June 6-9, 2013

Art installation at the 2012 Smoky Hill River Festival. Photo by TravelKS

Art installation at the 2012 Smoky Hill River Festival. Photo by TravelKS

The 37th Smoky Hill River Festival has kicked off with a concert tonight followed by events all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

We lived for six years in Salina, and every year, I was surprised and amazed by the wealth of art, crafts, music, and food. Delicious, delicious fair-style, food-truck food. Funnel cake for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do. Turkey leg as big as my face? Sure!

Art installations are scattered around the park, and there’s a fine art show and demonstrations along with tents with activities for kiddos, like craft making and face painting. One of my favorite memories from River Fest (along with the blur of good food, good friends, and good music) was finding a drawing with my brother that we wanted to get for my dad for his birthday. It was an ink drawing that was reversible – flip it one way and it told one story, the other way and it told another – from despair to hope just on the perspective of the image.

Musician Amanda Barrett of The Ditty Bops perf...

Musician Amanda Barrett of The Ditty Bops performing at the 2007 Smoky Hill River Festival. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was around $50, which for us, as high school students who mowed lawns for cash, was a lot of money. We spotted it on a Sunday, the last day of the festival, and we thought it would be just about the coolest gift we could come up with. Far and above the gifts of stapled together coupon books (1 free hug for Dad. 1 session of washing dishes).

We scraped together the $50 and came running back, hoping that the artist hadn’t sold the painting yet. He hadn’t, but we weren’t yet in the clear. We’d neglected to think through the additional amount for tax. We looked at each other in dismay – we’d lost after all. But the artist (I wish I remembered his name!) took pity on us and waived the tax. The drawing still hangs in our parent’s house today. It was a simple thing, but the kindness of the artist, when he could have just shrugged his shoulders and said sorry, has stayed with me.

Every hour throughout the weekend starting from 10am and running through the evening, there will be music performances, with the main events happening at Eric Stein stage on Friday and Saturday night. Check out the full schedule here.

Food court. Photo by TravelKS

Food court. Photo by TravelKS

Where: Oakdale Park at South Second and Mulberry. Parking and free shuttle service at Bicentennial Center

When: Gates open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings at 9:30am

Cost: A River Fest button is required, and they’re $15 at the gate if you didn’t get one ahead of time. The button gets you into all 3 days. Kids 11 and under get in FREE!

What’s your favorite River Festival memory? Let us know in the comments!

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Konza Prairie annual wildflower walk – Sunday, June 2

Konza Prairie wildflowers

From 6:30 to 9:00pm on Sunday, June 2, the Kansas Native Plant Society will be hosting its annual wildflower walk. Naturalists will take visitors along the Butterfly Hill Trail, which isn’t normally open to the public, and they will point out and identify the wild variety of native wildflowers that can be found in the prairie. Bring bug spray and comfortable walking shoes and, of course, your camera as you learn more about the native plants of Kansas and marvel at the vistas of the Konza Prairie (which will be highlighted in our Kansas Trails guidebook).

Cost: $10 per person. All proceeds go to Konza Environmental Education Program, whose mission is to: “enhance the understanding of the ecology of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem; increase understanding of the process and value of science; and increase public appreciation for the importance of scientific research as a foundation for sound grassland conservation and management.”

Where: Meet at Konza Prairie Biological Station, 100 Konza Prairie Lane