Community Events

June

Arts in the Park

City Park comes to life as national, regional and local artists perform in this live concert and performing arts series. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket and enjoy these outdoor family-oriented performances Friday and Saturday evenings June through August. (785) 587-2757.

Country Stampede

Join the heartland’s largest four-day country music and camping festival, featuring over 20 national entertainers in the Tuttle Creek River Pond State Park area. For performance listings, dates and times call (785) 539-2222, (800) 795-8091 or visit www.countrystampede.com.

Juneteenth Festival

Parade, arts, crafts, food, entertainment and displays; (785) 776-0244.

Konza Prairie Wildflower Walk

This hike of 1.2 miles is lead by trained volunteers pointing out wildflowers of interest and offering information about the Konza Prairie in general. Mid-June is the peak wildflower season on the tallgrass prairie. (785) 587-0441 for reservations.

K-State Men’s Baseball

For schedule information or tickets call (785) 532-6735 or visit www.k-statesports.com.

K-State Track & Field/ Cross Country

For schedule information or tickets call (785) 532-6735 or visit www.k-statesports.com.

Manhattan Municipal Band Concert Series

Summer events held Tuesdays in June and early July at the City Park open-air concert hall. Variety of music features local musicians from the community, college and high school; (785) 587-2757.

Tuttle Creek Lake Festival

Enjoy the many activities associated with a lake festival during this June weekend event. Activities include jet ski show, crafters fair, farmers market, fireworks, live music and lots of food; (785) 776-8829.

July

Thunder Over Manhattan

Enjoy a 400-shot fireworks display at Thunder Over Manhattan in CiCo Park, the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Events earlier in the day include a 5K foot race, free swimming at CiCo Park pool, fire engine rides, tricycle races, face painting and horse rides for children and families. (785) 537-8636 Sundown Salute, Junction City Heritage Parade, fireworks display. (800) 258-2489.

Sundown Salute, Junction City

Heritage Parade, fireworks display. (800) 258-2489

Wamego Fourth of July Celebration

One of the parades largest in Kansas, featuring marching bands, floats, antique cars and hometown folks proud to put their patriotism on display. (785) 456-7849.

Kaw Valley Rodeo & Riley County Fair

Five-day event in CiCo Park includes the Kaw Valley Rodeo, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, drawing the top contestants in each event. (785) 532-6958.

August

Arts in the Park

City Park comes to life as national, regional and local artists perform in this live concert and performing arts series. Bring a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy these outdoor family- oriented performances Friday and Saturday evenings June through August. (785) 587-2757.

Little Apple Soccer Tournament

This two-day soccer tournament , held at various Manhattan venues, is hosted by The Little Apple Soccer Club. (785) 532-7543.

September

Apple Days/Open House

Fort Riley hosts this annual Apple Day celebration at the Cavalry Parade Field. The big attractions for Apple Days are the more than 1,000 apple pies, which are sold for charity. Proceeds from the pie sales are given to the community through a post-wide scholarship, projects for the Custer House, memorials and school activities. (785) 239-2022.

Biennial Konza Prairie Visitors Day

Explore the prairie and see are as usually closed to the public. (785) 587-0381.

Wamego Fall Festival

On the last Saturday in September, historic exhibits, educational programs with a variety of entertainment, food and crafts along Lincoln Avenue. (785) 456-7849.

Flamingo Festival

See Sunset Zoo’s favorite pink-feathered friends and check out all of the vibrantly decorated plastic pink flamingos by community members and businesses. (785) 587-APES.

Flint Hills Festival of Wines

In addition to choosing from a selection of more than 150 wines, attendees will enjoy gourmet cuisine from area restaurants and caterers, meeting winemakers, shopping the large silent auction and watching cooking-with-wine demonstrations by area chefs; (785) 537-0688.

K-State Football

During the fall months, the K-State Wildcats will thrill you with exhilarating football. Under head coach Bill Snyder, the Wildcats have worked to become a nationally-ranked football team. For schedule information or tickets, call (785) 532-6735 or visit www.k-statesports.com.

K-State Rowing Team

For schedule information call (785) 532-6735 visit www.k-statesports.com.

K-State Volleyball

For schedule information or tickets call (785) 532-6735 or visit www.k-statesports.com.

Little Apple Folklife & Craft Festival

A folklife festival that includes craft sales and a children ’s area. There is also an entertainment stage during the weekend events. A folklife exhibit will include tours of the log cabin in the park, a showcase of pioneer skills, actors who will portray medieval knights participating in sword fighting and a mountain man encampment complete with actors in clothing from the period; (785) 587-2857.

Purple Power Play on Poyntz

This 2-day event kicks off the K-State football season. Join fans on Poyntz Avenue to welcome back veteran players and meet new recruits. (785) 532-6735.

October

Aggieville Trick or Treat

Bring your kids to Moro Street as local retailers stay open late for a night of safe trick-or-treating. (785) 776-8050.

Arts Above the Arch

Funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance and the NEA, this is a series of programs held at the Beach Museum of Art on the KSU campus. Past tours range from workshops, to artist demonstrations and musical performances. (785) 532-7718.

Fright Night with the Cats

Join the K-State men’s and women’s basketball teams for their season opening and a night full of frights. Fright Night gives little Wildcats a chance to trick-or- treat in Bramlage Coliseum, while fans watch the basketball teams scrimmage and perform skits. (785) 532-6911.

December

Columbian Christmas Spectacular, Wamego

Theatrical showings throughout weekends during the holiday season; (785) 456-2029.

Holiday Festival of Music

Relax and enjoy the sounds of the holiday spirit. A variety of K-State musical groups join together for this special holiday performance; (785) 532-3816.

Holiday Homes Tour

Several Manhattan residences don their best holiday decorations as part of the Holiday Homes Tour. The tour is sponsored during even years by the McCain Performance Series, and during odd years by the Riley County Historical Society. Call (785) 776-8829 for current details.