October 7th marked the 1st year for Osage City Chamber of Commerce to host the Flint Hills Nature Trail Fall Fest which also included the Dirty Kanza Promotions “Rush the Rails” event. The event ran from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. There were over one hundred bicycle riders & eight relay teams that traveled through Osage City during the day.
There were three locations that designated the length of the trail chosen by the participants. The route starts in Osawatomie, full distance (96 miles); Vassar/Pomona State Park, half distance (54 miles); Admire, short distance (25 miles); finish line at Council Grove. Participants chose which course length they wanted to participate in.
The Gilday Gas Station was the designated stopping point for the participants coming through Osage. Nourishing refreshments, drinks & first aid were provided at the stop. The Osage City Kiwanis Club hosted the refreshment area. Dave Azwell, Kathi Webster and Keena King, were great ambassadors for Osage City as they greeted & served the participants. There were numerous activities taking place throughout the Santa Fe Park, Santa Fe Depot and Theels’s vacant lot. The day included business sidewalk sales, bouncy house, food vendors, ice cream social, children’s activities, craft show, Restorative & Stretching sessions and a fine arts display.
Dirty Kanza Promotions plans to make this an annual event, so the Chamber of Commerce are looking forward to having a bigger & better event for 2018.