This is, indeed, a one weekend event. This is our 18th year....the Festival is held the 2nd week of June annually. Festival Hours are Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday's Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. A groups of friends get together to demonstrate skills necessary for Life on the Kansas Prairie in the 1860s.....everyday things like RopeMaking. SoapMaking, Spinning, Weaving, sometimes YarnDyeing, Quilting,
RugMaking, StoneMasonry, HomeMade RootBeer, BasketWeaving, Native Woods, Calligraphy, TinSmithy, Tailoring, HomeMade KettleCorn, HomeMade Ice Cream, BlackSmithy, a small MountainMan encampment with Leatherwork and CampFire Cooking. Demonstrations are continuous throughout the Festival hours. Stroll through the Festival grounds and pause to watch a Historic Presenter at work. Items made at the Festival are usually for sale. There is no admission fee to the Festival. Music may occur at anytime during the Festival. Friday evening before the Festival begins, there is a live Jam Session at 7:30 (usually on the CourtHouse lawn). The Roy McClure Memorial Banjo Clinic and the Gary Hughes Memorial Fiddle Clinic will be held Saturday morning at 10:00-ish. But spontaneous music may break out anywhere at any time. And Saturday evening at 7:30 PM, there is a "Contra on the Green"......a free Contra Dance. Everyone of all ages is invited to attend. This year, if we need to be, we have an indoor facility available for the evening dance. Then, Sunday Historic Presenters will be back at work......and music may break out anywhere at any time throughout the day. The Festival is held, rain or shine, although, but, being Midwesterners, we are prepared for all eventualities. Bring lawn chairs for outdoor seating. Bring insect repellent, And an umbrella. Becoming an Historic Presenters at this Festival......is by invitation only. Having said that......if you wish to be considered for inclusion in Festival, please contact Sue Smith at (620) 273-6053 or [email protected], or through this page. This is not an "organization" as such; it is merely one person's attempt to create a hometown fun/educational event for young and old alike. Along with a LOT of help from friends! We'll hope to see you at the Festival.
