Representatives from the 2019 counties were on hand to hear the enthusiastic response.
Incorporated cities along the 2019 route will be St. Francis and Bird
City (Cheyenne County), Goodland and Kanorado (Sherman County) and
Sharon Springs, Wallace and Weskan (Wallace County). Organizers will
ask the incorporated cities, attractions, and business to just be good
at being themselves for the May 2-5 showcase.
The BKRT, facilitated by the Kansas Sampler Foundation and organized by local leaders, replaced the popular Kansas Sampler
Festival as a means to educate the public about what there is to see,
hear, do, taste, buy, and learn in Kansas.
Hundreds of people, including a good number of Kansas Explorer Club
members, roamed the back roads and communities of Barber, Comanche and
Kiowa counties May 3-6 as part of the first-ever BKRT.
Foundation director Marci Penner said, "There were some skeptics about the new format but from all accounts, everyone loved getting out on the road and having first-hand
experiences. They shopped, ate in local restaurants, and learned about rural culture. They created memories and will no doubt
share their stories with many, many people. It was a win for everyone."
"This was an experiment of sorts," continued Penner, "and we'll be
forever grateful to the three counties of the 2018 BKRT for letting us
learn through them. We were impressed with how towns jumped in to show who they are and what they have and we were thrilled for the
exposure given to this area through traditional and social media. During
the event, the BKRT dominated Facebook news feeds and the posts helped
showcase the beauty of the area and the joys of exploring."
For more information go to bigkansasroadtrip.com.
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