As of February 1, more than 250 exhibitors from across the state have signed up to provide the public a sample of what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, learn, and sip in Kansas.
A project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, the festival started as a book-signing party on the Penner Farm near Inman in 1990. Milferd Penner and his daughter Marci had written their first Kansas Weekend Guide. Representatives from entries in the book came to help celebrate and filled a small tent. More than 1,000 people showed up on a cold, sleety day.
Marci Penner said, "It seemed that people were hungry to know what there was to see and do in Kansas so we decided to make it an annual event and give it a name."
The festival was held on the farm for eight years with attendance swelling to 8,000 to see tent after tent filled with tourism officials, musicians, historic performers, and entrepreneurs from around the state.
Starting in 1998, the festival has moved around the state every two years. Communities that have hosted are Pratt, Ottawa, Independence, Newton, Garden City, Concordia, Leavenworth, and Liberal. Wamego will host in 2014 and 2015.
The hours on Saturday, May 3 are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children.
For more information, go to kansassamplerfestival.com.
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