It’s spring…and that means more festivals! If you’re tired of the State Fair every summer, and don’t know what to do with all those months before it, check out some of these hot happenings! Have you been to them all?
1. Wamego Tulip Festival - April 22-23
Every spring, Wamego is filled with tulips of all colors, as well as hundreds of guests celebrating spring and these gorgeous flowers. In addition to flowers, there's also food, local music, and craft vendors.
2. Kansas Storytelling Festival (Downs, KS) - April 28-29
This state festival celebrates storytelling and stories of all kinds, from all ages.
3. Prairie Rose Western Days (Benton, KS) - May 5-6
With ropers, live cowboy music, Indian dancers, gunfighters, and more, there's nothing you'll want to miss here. They've even got wagon rides and tomahawk throwing, how exciting!
4. Cherryvale Cherry Blossom Festival - May 5-6
A whole carnival experience is to be had at this festival, with a car show, arts and crafts, food, and music. All in the name of these beautiful trees!
5. Lindsborg Millfest - May 6-7
This festival is all about the Smokey Valley Roller Mills, and during this event, tours are given every ten minutes. Regional musicians will be playing local folk music, and old schoolhouse activities. The highlight (in my eyes, anyways) would have to be Buddy's BBQ and homemade ice cream.
6. Sunflower Balloon Fest (Anthony, KS) - May 12-14
In Anthony, Kansas, every year there is a wondrous balloon festival you can see from miles away. They offer balloon rides, helicopter rides, as well as a city parade and a car show. They've even got live chainsaw art! (Maybe keep it away from the balloons, though.)
7. Heartland Pagan Festival (McLouth, KS) - May 25-29
You don't have to be Pagan to experience cultural roots, and these friendly people throw a festival yearly to celebrate life. They have crafts, workshops, drum circles, costumes, dancing, live music, and bonfires. You can even camp out at the event for all five days!
8. Basehor Dairy Days - June 3
Every 1st Saturday in June, Basehor celebrates its rich dairy history with this fun carnival-type festival. They've got classic games, food, crafts, and more, just like your local county fair, except dairy themed!
9. Symphony In The Flint Hills (Geary County) - June 10
Listen to the wonderful Kansas City Symphony as the sounds of their music fill the space around you with life. The music is timed to end just as the sun slips below the horizon, ending beautiful music with a gorgeous Kansas sunset.
10. Frankfort Summerfest - July 15-18
Glowing balloons, bounce houses, painted faces, and pedal tractor pulls? This festival is all about family fun and local kids having a blast. (They've also got live music and rotary BBQ, if you're an adult interested in this event.)
11. Miami County Fair (Paola, KS) - July 22-29
This isn't just your normal county fair, at least it isn't like mine was! It's the classic carnival, but with ATV races, mutton bustin', and a rodeo unique to this county's love for their people (and horses).
Do you have any small-town festivals to add to this list? Which of these have you been to? Tell us about them in the comments below!
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