State of Kansas to turn 163-years-old, here's how to help celebrate
Help Kansas celebrate its special day with this list of special events!
TOPEKA (KSNT) - You only turn 163 once!
Kansas' birthday, otherwise known as Kansas Day, is right around the corner. This annual event honors the day when Kansas officially joined the U.S. as the 34th state on Monday, Jan. 29, 1861.
This year presents natives of the Sunflower State with learning opportunities of the state's history, new beers to try out and fun Kansas-related activities. While some of the events will be available to you no matter where you're at in the state, some can be attended by locals living in Emporia, Manhattan, Topeka or Wichita. Check out the list below to find out how you can help celebrate this year's Kansas Day!
Kansas Day Celebration at the Discovery Center
Kansans are invited to drop by the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan for a special celebration ahead of Kansas' birthday, according to a press release. This will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in activities, stories and other educational opportunities dedicated to celebrating the Sunflower State. These include a bison box presentation where a full-size bison robe and skull will be shown, displays dedicated to a variety of state symbols and the opportunity to listen to Kansas-centric stories.
To learn more about this event, click here.
Kansas Sampler Foundation Brews
Several small-town breweries across Kansas will be revealing new beers created specifically to celebrate Kansas Day this year. Participating breweries will have activities planned between Jan. 25 and Jan. 29 along with showcasing their new beers. These include:
- Center Pivot Restaurant & Brewery – Quinter
- Defiance Brewing Company – Hays
- Hidden Trail Brewing – Garden City
- Irrigation Ales – Courtland
- Ladybird Brewing – Winfield
- Riverbank Brewing – Council Grove
- Sandhills Brewing – Hutchinson
- The Farm & The Odd Fellows – Minneapolis
Kansas Day Edventure 2024
The Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) is hosting a free virtual Kansas Day field trip for students. These consist of presentations from KSHS staff and other Kansas organizations. These include the following:
- Kansas Symbols for grades PK to 2nd grade - 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Kansas ABCs for grades PK to 2nd grade - 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Famous Kansans for 4th graders through to 8th graders - 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- What's in a Nickname? Grades 4th through 8th - 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The KSHS also includes games like Kansas Trivia: Jeopardy Style for the holiday. You can learn more about these learning opportunities and other fun activities to celebrate Kansas Day by clicking here.
Great Plains Nature Center Kansas Day Celebration
The Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita is holding several events and activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. Free games, crafts, trivia and a naturalist program are some of the highlights for this family-friendly celebration.
The center will also be launching its 2024 program guide. Check out this story from KSNW to learn more about what to expect for the occasion.
Kansas Day Birthday Bash
Held at the Lyon County History Center in Emporia, this event will start at 10 a.m. and run to noon on Saturday, Jan. 27. Attendees can have fun with "Make-it and take-it" crafts, learn about native animals, go to an art show and watch demonstrations. More information can be found by clicking here.
Kansas Day with Eisenhower
Bill Nicks will be giving a first-person reenactment of Dwight D. Eisenhower to celebrate Kansas Day. This will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29 at the Emporia Public Library. Learn more by clicking here.
Kansas Day Speaker - Davis Hammet
Davis Hammet, president of the civil rights and voting rights organization Loud Light, will be speaking at the Shawnee Room located in Washburn University's Memorial Union about his journey of making change and falling in love with Kansas. This free event will take place on Monday, Jan. 29. More information can be found by clicking here.
Paint & Sip to Celebrate Kansas
Uncorked Inspiration is holding three events starting at 6 p.m. from Jan. 26 through to Jan. 28 to help celebrate Kansas Day in Manhattan. Attending any of these events costs $35. You can sign up and learn more about these opportunities by clicking here.
Kansas Day Scavenger Hunt
Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is holding scavenger hunts for local children from Jan. 25 through to Jan. 30 in Topeka to celebrate Kansas Day. This free event is open to anyone ages three to 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
The scavenger hunt will be held inside Crestview Community Center with guests searching for Kansas-related items. These include state symbols such as the sunflower, Kansas state flag, bison and more for a sweet reward.
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