Kansas Sampler Foundation
The 26th annual Kansas Sampler Festival will be held May 2-3 in Wamego’s City Park. More than 150 Kansas communities will showcase what there is to see, do, hear, taste, learn and buy in the state.
Towns from Atchison to Ulysses will offer day trip suggestions and promote their tourism attractions. Exhibitors in large tents show what to see in particular counties or regions. For example, in the Dickinson County tent you can learn about the Kansas Auto Racing Museum in Chapman and also see a sheep shearing demonstration by Hope’s Abeldt Family Sheep Farm. Outside of the tents you’ll find Hedrick’s Exotic Animal Farm of Nickerson as well as the pack goats and Mammoth donkeys of Council Grove’s Paradise Ranch.
More than 50 Kansas entrepreneurs and artists will be selling everything from glass-bottle milk to handcrafted metal art in three big tents. The public can view the works of a dozen Kansas photographers and enjoy workshops throughout the weekend.
The Native Stone Scenic Byway will be conducting a class on how to build a dry stacked stone fence during the festival on the festival grounds. People can sign up to help build this permanent fence at Wabaunsee.com.
Native American dancer and educator, Dennis Rodgers of Topeka, will perform a new program, “Native Country” with Jami Amber Lynne of Basehor. Historic performers will do portrayals on well-known people like Amelia Earhart and Doc Holliday but also about a wagon train school teacher and a Dust Bowl farmer.
Marci Penner will pepper the crowd with Kansas questions at The Stump each day at 10:30 a.m., 12, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded.
Bierocks, schnitzel sandwiches, bison hot dogs, fruit kabobs, homemade ice cream, Swedish baked goods, smokehouse salads and Scottish sausage are just a few Kansas specialty items served by 22 food vendors.
Festival overseer WenDee LaPlant of the Kansas Sampler Foundation said, “Local festival director Michelle Crisler and her team in Wamego went over the top last year in planning the successful event and are eager to welcome everyone again to Wamego, the smallest community to ever host the state’s largest traveling festival. Wamego City Park, known for its unique Dutch Windmill and beautifully landscaped tulip beds, will provide a beautiful backdrop for visitors and exhibitors alike.”
A project of the Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation, the festival is a kick-off for the tourism season. LaPlant said, “The annual event is like a living brochure of all things Kansas has to offer.”
Festival hours are Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children 7-12. For more information go to kansassamplerfestival.com or call (785) 456-9776.