Here you will find a list of events sponsored by the Emporia Chamber of Commerce.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
DATE: March 15, 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Commercial Street Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: Annual parade in beautiful downtown Emporia, featuring entries from corporations, organizations, families, and bagpipers.
INFORMATION: Kayla Oney at Emporia Main Street.
main.street@emporia.ws
620-340-6430
FLAMES IN THE FLINT HILLS
DATE: April 5 & 12
LOCATION: Grandview Ranch 151 Rd. 130
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: A range burning event. Choose either of the dates. Guests light and manage a range fire. There will be hot fire, food, and music (Bluegrass, of course). Reservations required.
INFORMATION: 620-342-2625 or go to www.kansasflinthillsadventures.com
IRIS TOUR
DATE: May 10 & 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
LOCATION: Toad Hollow 1534 Rd. 170
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION:Toad Hollow's annual Iris Tour is on Mother's Day weekend. Experience over 300 varieties of iris, from mini, border and tall-bearded types and in every color combination imaginable. At this time the peonies, poppies and larkspur will also be blooming. Explore the peaceful and colorful shade gardens full of hostas, columbine and other perennials.
Contact: Nina West at 620-343-8655 or recyclewomen@hotmail.com. You can also visit the website at http://flyoverpeople.net/galleries/toad_hollow/index.html.
ART IN THE GARDEN
DATE: June 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
LOCATION: Toad Hollow 1534 Rd. 170
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: A city of white tents in a country garden is the setting for Emporia's third annual Art in the Garden show. Come for the beautiful visuals, wonderful music, fragrant flowers, friendly atmosphere, good food and great original art gifts. A variety of original artworks are for sale, including art glass, copper works, drawings, fiber, hypertuffa, hand-carved stone, iron sculpture, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture dolls, stained glass, woodcarvings and more.
INFORMATION: 620-342-6959 or go to http://flyoverpeople.net/galleries/toad_hollow/index.html.
DAYLILY TOUR
DATE: June 28 & 29 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
LOCATION:Toad Hollow 1534 Rd. 170
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION:Toad Hollow's summer garden is for the daylily lover. Experience over 500 daylilies close-up and personal. The array of colors is amazing. From almost white to almost black, you will see every shade of yellow, salmon, orange, rust, pink and red, not to mention polychromed and eyed blossoms. Form and habit are also diverse. You will see minis, spider form, seersuckering, ruffles, veining and ribbing. Observe high bud count for a longer blooming cycle. Seeing daylilies in the field gives you a better idea of plant vigor, sturdiness and true color in our climate. Roses, love-in-a-mist, rose campion, larkspur, hollyhocks, bronze fennel, purple cone flowers and lilies are among other seasonal plants in bloom during the daylily season. Toad Hollow features one of the most complete collections of Brother Charles Reckamp daylilies in the Midwest. A Catholic monk in Illinois, Brother Charles died in 1996, but a number of his hybrid seedlings continue to be introduced. This garden also includes hybrids developed by Kansans including the late Ivan Beyer of Gridley.
INFORMATION: Nina West at 620-343-8655 or recyclewomen@hotmail.com. You can also visit the website at http://flyoverpeople.net/galleries/toad_hollow/index.html.
LYON COUNTRY FREE FAIR
DATE: August 2-9
LOCATION: Lyon County Fair Grounds
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION:This old-fashioned county fair provides a week of entertainment with something for everyone. 4-H and open class exhibits, along with 4-H livestock and other animal showings. Grandstand events include a mud-a-thon, ranch rodeo, buck, rumble & roll, 4-H rodeo, truck and tractor pull and demolition derby.
INFORMATION: 620-342-5014
GREATER EMPORIA BBQ FESTIVAL
DATE: August 8 & 9
LOCATION: Peter Pan Park W. Randolph Ave. & S. Rural St.
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: The "Who's Who" of BBQ Teams, along with the local champions will be all together in the historical Peter Pan Park, competing for prizes and the chance to be a State Championship Winner. There's plenty going on for the public. Many vendor booths, the best BBQ lunch around and opportunities to socialize with the competing teams, all while enjoying the beautiful Peter Pan Park.
INFORMATION: 620-344-3867, lazyhfarms@birch.net, or go to www.emporiabbq.com.
FLINT HILLS BEEF FEST
DATE: August 15-17
LOCATION: Lyon County Fair Grounds
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the grass cattle industry. Activities include an awards dinner, national entertainment, competitions, bands, rodeos, and beef dinners.
INFORMATION: Shelly Wiggins at 620-343-4741 or shelly.wiggins@frontierfarmcredit.com
GREAT AMERICAN MARKET & CAR SHOW
DATE: September 6
LOCATION: Commercial St.
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: Cars of various makes and models displayed with treasures waiting to be found in over 100 booths.
INFORMATION: Kayla Oney at Emporia Main Street.
main.street@emporia.ws
620-340-6430
WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS
DATE: October 4
LOCATION: Emporia State University & W.L White Auditorium
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: A day-long celebration featuring the current year’s winning authors autographing their books, participating in a parade, and accepting their awards during a formal ceremony. Additional activities include face painting, storyteller, zoo animals and various other activities. Charge for awards ceremony only.
ALL VETERANS TRIBUTE WEEK
DATE: November 5-11
LOCATION: Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: Come to Emporia, the founding city of Veterans Day, to recognize all military personnel who have served and continue to serve our great country, the United States of America. There will be various events and exhibits throughout the week, including a Recognition and USO Show, parade, memorial service, and ham and bean feed.
CHRISTMAS PARADE
DATE: December 2
LOCATION: Commercial St.
Emporia, KS
DESCRIPTION: 31st annual community Christmas parade includes approximately 100 floats and entries designed and built by local organizations, churches and businesses.
INFORMATION: Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce 620-342-1600 or email tfreeman@emporiakschamber.org