The 2011 Kansas Sampler Festival

Liberal has been chosen to host the 2012 - 2013 festival. Congratulations! For more information about the community log onto: http://www.cityofliberal.com/

REGISTRATION FOR EXHIBITORS BEGINS NOVEMBER 1, 2010

For exhibitor criteria and registration information CLICK HERE.

FOR COMPLETE FESTIVAL INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

The Kansas Sampler Festival had a record attendance of 8,500 on May 1 & 2, 2010 and will return to Leavenworth just in time to celebrate the state's Sesquicentennial! Join us in Leavenworth County in 2011.

Ray Miller Park, 4201 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, May 7 & 8, 2011

(If the video stops and starts, click on the pause button at the bottom left hand corner and let it sit for 2-3 minutes then click play)

HOURS: Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Opening ceremonies, 9 a.m.) Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

ADMISSION: $5 Adults; $3 Children (7-14); Under 6 admitted free

WEEKEND PASS: $8 Adults; $4 Children

Become a FAN on our FACEBOOK PAGE! CLICK HERE

For more information contact Keyta Kelly, festival director at 913.417.7575 or kssamplerfestlvco@sunflower.com

IMPORTANT LODGING INFO FOR EXHIBITORS!

You can begin making reservations for the 2011 festival in June 2010.

WHAT IS THE KANSAS SAMPLER FESTIVAL

The Kansas Sampler Festival is like a living brochure of Kansas! In 2009, 140 communities provided a sample of what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn in Kansas! (see photo gallery below - click on photo for larger view)

The Kansas Sampler Festival was designed to bring communities and attractions from all over the state together to make it easy for the public to discover day trip possibilities. In other words, the primary purpose of the festival is to provide the public a sample of what there is to see and do in Kansas. Whether you are looking for hiking trails, historic sites, natural landmarks, unique restaurants, off-the-beaten track eateries, architectural gems, hole-in-wall performing centers, artists-at-work, specialty shops, or have-to-be-there Kansas events, this festival is for you!

HISTORY OF THE EVENT

In 1990, Mil and Marci Penner had a book signing party for their first Kansas guidebook, Kansas Weekend Guide. They invited places in the book to come help support the purpose of the book which was to inspire travel throughout Kansas. These attractions filled one big tent. It was a cold November day with rain turning into snow but still a thousand people came to the farm. The event became the Kansas Sampler Festival in 1991 and was held until 1997 on the Penner farm near Inman. In 1993 the Festival became a project of the newly formed Kansas Sampler Foundation.
It was decided to take the festival on the road starting in 1998 to expose more people to the festival exhibitors. After a bid process, Pratt was chosen to host the event in 1998 and 1999. Ottawa hosted the festival in 2000 and 2001. Independence was the host for the festival in 2002 and 2003, and Newton was the host in 2004 and 2005. Garden City was the host for 2006 and 2007 followed by Concordia in 2008 and 2009. Leavenworth will host the festival in 2010 and 2011. The new host for 2012 and 2013 will be announced in early fall 2010. In 2002 the festival began being held the first full weekend in May.
FESTIVAL FEATURES:
Over 140 Kansas communities tell what they have to see and do;
Dozens of entrepreneurs sell their Kansas-made products
Cultural heritage demonstrations and displays;
Kansas entertainers perform, sell CD's and showcase for future bookings;
Historical performers provide a sampling of many characters;
Kansas Wineries and Microbreweries provide taste testing;
Kansas questions are asked at The Stump, prizes given;
Food booths tell the Kansas story through their menu