Submitted by Dave Azwell
The 26th Annual Kansas Sampler Festival will be held May 2-3 in Wamego. Members of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce will be on hand informing thousands of Kansans and other visitors about the many things that make Osage City and the surrounding area special.
Since the 1800s, Kansas has played a major role in many significant historical events of our country. Twenty-six years ago, in an effort to increase the knowledge of these events and the state, Marci Penner and her father, Mil, hosted the first Kansas Sampler Festival on their farm in Inman.
According to the Kansas Sampler Foundation, “The purpose of the early festivals was to show the public what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy and learn in Kansas.” The festival continued to be held on the farm from 1990 to 1997.
Due to the success of those early festivals, the foundation began taking the festival to different locations around the state to expose more people to the wonders of Kansas. Originally starting with one tent, the festival now requires multiple tents representing each of the regions of Kansas. The festival features city and regional displays, Kansas food products, entertainment, informational presentations, food vendors, and activities for kids.
Tickets for the festival may be purchased on site. Adult daily admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 7-12 and free for children under 6. Weekend passes are $8 for adults and $4 for children. For more information about the festival, see www.kansassamplerfestival.com.
For more information about the Osage City Chamber of Commerce’s exhibit at the festival or to volunteer, contact Dave Azwell, 785-528-4025.