Flint Hills Shopper

09/01/2026

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve will host its annual quilt display in the historic barn from September 3, 2026 through September 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
If you have an autumn-themed quilt you would like to display, call the preserve at 620-273-8494 (ext 270). Quilts are needed between August 25th and September 1st and can be dropped off at the preserve visitor center between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For each quilt, please include your name and phone number, design name of the quilt, the year it was made, and the owner’s name. This information is needed to create the quilt’s label.
Quilts will be on display in the barn on Thursday and Friday, with photographs of the same quilts displayed Saturday through Monday. During the show, vote for your favorite quilt. Votes will be tallied and winner announced on Monday, September 7th at 1:00 p.m. All activities and events are free of charge.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located two miles north of Strong City on Kansas State Highway 177 (the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway) and is a unique public/private partnership between the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy. For additional information on Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, please visit www.nps.gov/tapr, email [email protected], call the preserve at (620) 273-8494 ext 270, or visit the preserve’s page at http://www.facebook.com/NPS.TallgrassPrairie. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy in Kansas, visit the Conservancy’s website at www.nature.org/Kansas or page at https://www.facebook.com/TNCKansas.

Learn about nature conservation in Kansas, including environmental issues and resources from The Nature Conservancy. Start exploring Kansas!

08/03/2026

They are looking for S’MORE Girl Scouts! Bring a friend to join them for National S’more Day! Come have S'MORE fun and learn about Girl Scouts! This is a free event for all girls! They will have games, a campfire sing along, and best of all S’MORES on Monday, August 10, 7 to 8 p.m. at Camp EE, 794 Rd. 200, Emporia
If you are not already a Girl Scout but plan on joining, a Council Staff member will be at the event to help you register!
Contact Paula Roper, SU manager, 620-343-4088, if you have any questions.

07/02/2026

Volunteer Workday with New Pioneer Bluffs Leadership Team
The community is invited to meet the new leadership of Pioneer Bluffs at an informal gathering.
Executive Director, John Rogler, and Operations Manager, Annabelle Arndt, will host the next volunteer workday on Saturday, July 11, at the historic Flint Hills ranch.
“We welcome everyone to stop in and say ‘hi,’ have a cup of coffee, and a homemade cookie,” said Rogler. “Annabelle and I look forward to meeting both volunteers and members of the community.”
Visitors may want to join the volunteers at work – weeding in the gardens, picking up the grounds, cleaning in the buildings, and more. “It really is a lot of fun to work alongside such a good group of people,” said Arndt.
The volunteer workday begins at 8:30 a.m. on July 11, with coffee and conversation. Volunteers go to work around 9:00 a.m. and wrap up at 11:30 a.m. with a light lunch. No RSVP required, drop-ins welcome. Questions can be directed to Arndt at (620) 753- 3484 or [email protected].
Pioneer Bluffs is a nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve and share the ranching heritage of the Flint Hills. A National Register Historic District, Pioneer Bluffs is located 14 miles south of Cottonwood Falls or 1 mile north of Matfield Green on Flint Hills National Scenic Byway K-177. On the web at pioneerbluffs.org.

07/02/2026

STORYTIME ON THE PORCH
The next installment of the Storytime on the Steps
collaboration at Red Rocks State Historic Site will be held Wednesday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m. Led by Talia Smith with the Emporia Public Library, this free summertime series caters to the youngest area children. Storytime on the Steps is open to little ones age zero to five years old, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Storytime on the Steps meets on the historic shady porch where William Allen White conversed with neighbors, famous writers, and presidents from the early 1900s until his death in 1944. Thanks to Emporia Public Library, children will be entertained with a picture book story time and a simple craft or art project. Children will be enchanted by the lush gardens, green lawn, and lily pond complete with goldfish.
The series runs through the summer, on the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Red Rocks Site Administrator Lori DeWinkler said, “We are so pleased to be able to introduce Red Rocks to our youngest visitors, thanks to this important collaboration with the Emporia Public Library and Talia Smith.”
Red Rocks State Historic Site is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The site is closed on state holidays. Admission and tours of the historic home are free in 2026.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.kansashistory.gov/red_rocks,
follow them on social media, telephone them at 620-342-2800, or stop by in person at
927 Exchange St., Emporia.

Kansas Historical Society

06/29/2026

Celebrate Fourth of July with Fireworks Display from ESU's Welch Stadium
Emporia State University invites the public to campus on Saturday, July 4, to watch the community fireworks display.
Gates open at 8:30 p.m July 4, on the west side of Welch Stadium on the Emporia State University campus. The City of Emporia fireworks display begins between 9:45 and 10 p.m.
Seating is available in the west side chairs and bleachers or on blankets on the football field. Chairs of any kind, along with sunflower seeds and gum are prohibited on Jones Field and Witten Track to help preserve the playing surface.
Outside the stadium, viewing for the fireworks is also available on the ESU practice fields on the north end of campus. (The nearby soccer pitch will be closed to the public.
The fireworks display, shot from the soccer fields north of Interstate 35, lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Parking is available across campus. The two parking lots across Highland Street from the art annex are available for handicapped parking and viewing. To view a map of parking for the event, go to emporia.link/fireworks.
For those wanting to make a longer celebration that evening, tailgating is available in ESU parking lots beginning at 7 p.m. Neither alcohol nor personal fireworks are allowed on campus. Special containers will be available to dispose of hot coals.

06/22/2026

On July 3rd the Veterans Legacy Fund, will host a Patriotic Parade and All-American cookout celebrating America's 250th birthday. Parade lineup will begin at 8:30 am at 4th and Commercial in Emporia, with the parade beginning at 9:30 am. The parade will continue North up Commercial Street to 12th Ave. After the parade, the community is encouraged to head to the fairgrounds to show off their vehicles and floats. There will be activities for children, patriotic photo opportunities and the Emporia Municipal Band will perform 11:30 am - 12:30 pm just to name a few. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and water will be available with a free-will donation to the Veterans Legacy Fund. (VLF). The VLF serves to sponsor activities that reflect our military heritage by honoring our past, serving today, and inspiring future generations. For more information visit: www.vlfemporia.org.

06/22/2026

On Saturday, June 27th at 10 a.m. Join Dan and Gruff to hear about their journey from Wales to Ohio. In the program titled,"How the Heck did Dan and Gruff end up in Ohio", these young men will share some experiences about growing up in Wales, how they got to Ohio and some interesting stories from their time here. After the program stay for the tea and Welsh cakes. Arvonia Township Hall, 32358 Arvonia Road, Osage City, KS 66523--just 4 miles north of Lebo.

06/08/2026

Madison Masonic Lodge will offer Health & Cancer Screenings on June 13.

06/04/2026

Jam Session:
There will be a Jam Session on June 7, 1-4 p.m. at the Neosho Rapids Community Center, 238 N. Commercial St. Come play, listen and/or sing along. Cost is $5. Snacks will be available. For questions, call Julie at 620-794-9564. Additional dates are July 5 and August 2.

06/01/2026

River Suite Dinner and Music on the Historic Bridge in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Hosted by the Chase County Chamber of Commerce
The 2025 River Suite event will take place, Friday, June 12, 2026 on the historic Cottonwood River Bridge overlooking the waterfall in downtown Cottonwood Falls. Surrounded by the unforgettable jewel tones of a Kansas summer sunset, guests will be drawn to the white peaked tents and the aroma of a well-mastered selection of Flint Hills inspired delicacies inviting the senses to partake in the breathtaking experience of fine dining and live music on the charming bridge.
Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with a happy hour cash bar benefiting The Strong City Preservation Alliance and their restoration project of the 1900 theater. At 6 p.m. music by Tallgrass Express will begin. Dinner service provided by Smokin' O's will start at 7 p.m. Entertainment by Tallgrass Express will resume at 8 p.m.!
Tickets are $85+tax ($92.23) each. Visit our website to purchase online by cash or check. Almost sold out! Ticket sales end at midnight on Sunday 6/7/2026.
Go to HeartoftheFlintHills.com for tickets and to learn more.