Category: Chamber News

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, America’s Favorite Big Top Circus is coming to Osage City, KS on Saturday, September 7th, 2019 to the Jones Park located at 1st & Safford Street with two scheduled performances at 2:00 & 4:30 p.m. Now in its 34th edition, C&M Circus has become internationally known for quality family entertainment. This authentic One-Ring, Big Top Circus has been featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Arizona Highways Magazine. It has also been featured on the A&E Special: Under the Big Top and most recently, On the Road with Circus Kids, a Nickelodeon special featured on the Nick News Program.

Bring your friends and family out circus morning to watch as a familiar place in your town is transformed into a bustling Circus City. Activity swirls around the grounds as animals are unloaded, the Big Top is erected, and rigging is prepared for performances later in the day. Enjoy the magic and tradition of the American Circus with your family and create memories that will last a lifetime. Between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. come watch the raising of the Big Top, then stay for the FREE Tour. This presentation offers a unique face-to-face opportunity for families, schools, and interested community members to meet and learn all about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus family and includes a walking tour of the circus grounds. Learn interesting facts about our performers, the history of our show and the different species of animals in our Circus Family. In this presentation we will also address topics such as hygiene, grooming and the veterinary care all of our animals receive. In recent years the Tent Raising and Morning Tour has become a popular program for families and interested community members. It is presented in a way everyone, young and old can learn many interesting facts about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Family. This is a special part of Circus Day that should not be missed! On circus day, our performers bring the magic of the circus to life in each 90-minute performance. This year’s lineup includes an All-Star group of performers and entertainers that include: Miss Simone and her breath taking single trapeze, Miss Paulina’s proud “ Big & Little” prancing ponies, The Arlise Troupe on their wild and crazy unicycles, Natalie’s American Eskimo Escapades, Miss Georgia displaying flexibility to the extreme and for the first time, the Wheel of Destiny & Tight Rope by The Perez Family. But, let’s not forget our favorite performing Jungle Cats, Soloman, Delilah & Francis, presented by Mr. Trey Key, that will certainly have you on the edge of your seats! All accompanied by original music composed by the talented, Matt Margucci from Los Angeles, California. Our performers are sure to amaze, delight and entertain the audience members of all ages beyond your wildest imagination. The costumes alone are certainly of Las Vegas quality.

SAVE MONEY by purchasing your tickets in advance at the following locations: Osage City Hall, Osage Hardware, McCoy Radio Shack. Prices for advance tickets are $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for seniors (65 and over) and children ages 2 to 12, children under 2 are always free. On show day tickets will be $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for seniors/children. Purchase your tickets early and save.

Circus Day Schedule (times may vary) Between 9:30 & 10:00 a.m.– Tent Raising & FREE Tour 1:00 P.m.. Midway Box Office Opens (pony rides, moonbounce, concessions and more) First Show 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Second Show 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Culpepper & Merriweather Circus P.O. Box 813, Hugo, OK 74743 (580) 326-8833 Fax (580) 326-8866 E-mail cmcircus@gmail.com

For a downloadable printable pdf version of the Veterans Banner application form, click on the graphic below or here.

Veterans Banner application form available here.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer you the opportunity to honor a veteran or someone currently active in the military while at the same time celebrating Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

The cost is $150 for a large banner (26” x 50”) with your chosen military member on it. The banners will be located on the light poles along 6th Street on both sides of the street from the American Legion to the Post Office. The banners will hang for one month in conjunction with Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day for three consecutive years. After the three year term is completed, we will contact you to see if you would like a new banner to be hung for an additional three years or if you would like the banner returned to you.

Banner Project information and application forms are available at Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark State Farm office, 618 Market St., Osage City, or on the Chamber’s website at www.osagecitychamber.com. At this time, we only have 16 brackets on eight poles so this is on a first come, first serve basis determined by postmark August 26, 2019, on envelope or personally delivered to 126 Ellinwood St., Osage City.

Any questions, please contact Jeanette Swarts at 785-249-5451.

July marks the second month of recognizing a “2019 Yard of the Month”, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.  Recognition will be during the months of June through September.  The selection of the yard takes place during the first few days of each month.  In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at an Osage City business.

We are pleased to announce that Terry & Mica Lindbloom’s yard has been selected for the month of July.  Their home is located at 850 Romine Ridge.

Obviously with Mica’s TLC & Terry’s craftsmanship, they have a beautiful front yard along with a peaceful oasis in their back yard. Together, they created & built the fountain as one of the focal points in the back yard. The base started as a 3’x4’ hole which included a concrete base, adding the concrete pillar which holds two individual shelfs & a concrete ball adorned with bright red stones.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Osage City annual Community Family Day and Fireworks Spectacular which will be held on Thursday, July 4, hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. Plan to come out and spend the evening. Plans are coming together to include an exciting day/evening of activities for the families to enjoy.

Starting out the day of activities will be a youth fishing tournament sponsored by ORBIS which will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Huffman Park. A disc golf tournament will begin with a flex start at 8:00 a.m. at the disc golf course by the Jones Park ball diamonds. Information & registration for the tournament can be found at: https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Osage_City_Trilogy_Challenge_2019/register.

All other activities and food vendors will begin at 6:00 p.m. Activities leading up to the fireworks display include bounce play sets, sponsored by Conrad Carlson Foundation, carnival games, firecracker walk (aka cake walk), quarter bingo, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, live band, food and snacks provided by various vendors, Lions Club pie and ice cream social and Kiwanis watermelon feed. Some of the activities will be free & some will be a minimal fee.

Some new activities have been added to the event this year including turtle races, sack races for the kids, so kids, when it gets closer to the time, start looking for a pet turtle (BYOT=Bring Your Own Turtle) to enter in the turtle race and start your jumping skills to enter into the sack race.The sack race will be divided into two age groups, 6-8 and 9-11. For ages 18 and over, there will be a Bocce Ball tournament. Contact Maurice or Cindy Koch at 528-4454 or email kochcindy@hotmail.com for pre-registration sign up for the Bocce Ball tournament. There will be no fee required to enter.

Schedule of events for the day is here.

The Osage City Osage County Fair Parade, July 12 is going to be here before we know it. It is at this time that the Osage City Chamber of Commerce have received nominations for Mr. and Mrs. Osage City and parade marshal. Searching back through the history, the parade marshal has been a single individual, a couple, a group of employees, young or senior that have contributed and supported the Osage City community. Selection will be held June 11.

The May Chamber of Commerce Member Meeting was held at the ORBIS plant. Following the meeting, Bryan Zeigler, Plant Manager, gave a presentation of information about the plant operation & assisted by Edana Phillips, Human Resource Manager, gave a tour of the plant.

This year, the Chamber received several excellent applications for the scholarships. The applicants demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievements and community service. The scholarship requires students to submit an application, two letters of reference, an official transcript and an essay covering “The Advantages of Owning and Operating a Business in a Small Town”.

The revenue from business ads on the map and the $5 that residents pay to be listed on the maps for the spring/fall garage sales, goes directly for these two scholarships.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Aliks Serna and Royce Cowan as the 2019 recipients of our $350 scholarships. Aliks, daughter of Joe & Tammy Serna will be attending Highland Community College & Royce, son of Russell & Virginia Cowan will be attending Flint Hills Technical College in the fall.

 

Ladies, Gentlemen, Clubs, Organizations, Business & Individuals,

I would like to invite you to participate in our summer parade.  The theme this year is “All American Country Livin’ ”. You may enter a float, truck, car, ATV/Golf Cart (age at least 17 years to drive in parade & no water balloons allowed.) anything you would feel would be fun and the people along the parade route would like to see.  Also there is prize money in two different categories.  There is a float judging and an ATV/Golf Cart judging.  Prize money is 1st, $125, 2nd, $100, 3rd, $75, 4th, $50 for the float category.  ATV/Golf Cart prize money is 1st, $30, 2nd, $20, 3rd, $10.

It’s always fun for the crowd to wave at the entries and for the parade participants to wave back, throw candy and make people smile!!  A fun evening to forget troubles and have a great time!!

Let’s make this year’s Osage City Fair Parade one of the best we have seen.  I know it is possible with the participation of all the fabulous businesses, organizations, clubs, schools and individual people we have in this area.

You can e mail, call or text me with your information and I will fill a form out for you.  The parade is on July 10^th, parade begins at 6:30.  Line up for judging of floats, ATV’s and Golf Carts is 5:45 pm.  All other entries be ready and in your designated line up spot in the parade by 6:15 at the latest.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this letter.  I am thanking you in advance for your participation in our parade.

Heather Glover
1125 California
Osage City, KS 6523
785-581-3534
heatherglover71@yahoo.com

2020 Kid Bicycle Parade

ACTIVITIES –  LOCATION

MORNING:

8:00 Youth Fishing Tournament (Sponsored by ORBIS) (FREE) –  Huffman Park

8:00-3:00 Trilogy Challenge Disc Golf Tournament – Flex Start – Disc Golf Course-(Ball Diamonds Area- Jones Park) $40.00 Entry Fee

10:00 Trilogy Challenge Disc Golf Clinic – 30 Minutes (FREE) Disc Golf Course-(Ball Diamonds Area- Jones Park)

EARLY EVENING:

6:00 Bounce Play Sets (FREE) Jones Park Area (Sponsored by Conrad Carlson Foundation) – Grass Area by Basketball Court

6:00 Food / Snack Vendors Gravel Lot – East of 4H Building.

Wiley Weenie Wagon, Wild Hogs BBQ, Tod’s BBQ, North of Comm. Bldg. Cotton Candy, Sno Cones, Thrill’s Kettle Corn, Funnel Cakes-Pomona Masonic Lodge #41

6:00 Pie, Ice Cream, Floats (Fundraiser) Community Building – Jones Park (Osage City Lions Club)

6:00 Watermelon Feed (Chamber Members) (FREE) Community Building – Jones Park

6:00- Carnival Games (Chamber Members) (FREE) Community Building – Jones Park

8:30 Quarter Bingo, Firecracker Walk (aka cake walk),

Face Painting

Turtle Race-Bring Your Own Turtle, (Age Groups 6-8; 9-11) Comm. Bldg. – Pavement area

Sack Race (Age Groups 6-8; 9-11) Grass Area – Between Rec. Comm. Bldg. and Football Complex

Bocce Ball Tournament (Ages 18 & Over) Grass Area – Between Rec. Comm. Bldg. and Football Complex

(No Entry Fee)– Contact Cindy Koch-528-4454

6:00-9:00 Live Band, “Lizard People” (FREE) Fredrickson Arena

9:00 Patriotic music Football Complex

LATE EVENING:

10:00 Fireworks Display (FREE) Jones Park Area

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following contributors for their generous donation and support for the Fireworks Celebration. AG Choice, AuBurn Pharmacy, Bank of Burlingame, Bank of Osage City, Body Shop/BuengerAutomotive, Branine Chevrolet-Buick, Burns, Burns, Walsh & Walsh, Citizens Insurance Services, City of Osage City, David Jacoby-OD, Edward Jones Investments, First National Bank, H & H Appraisal, Harmon Dental, Jerry’s Thriftway, Jodi Lohmeyer-Stark Agency, Kirk Bath Farm Bureau Financial, Landmark National Bank, Marilynn’s Restaurant, McCoy’s Electronics, Miller Elevator, ORBIS, Osage Building Materials, Osage City Chamber of Commerce, Osage City Kiwanis Club, Osage City Lions Club, Osage City Municipal Golf Course, Osage County Community Foundation, Osage County Farm Bureau, Osage County Herald-Chronicle, Porter Cattle Co, Quality Built Construction, Salt Creek Rehab, LLC, Wischropp Auctions, Inc., Casey & Cheryl Mussatto, Rod & Kim Bergquist, Dan & Linda Mollnow, Brian & Jeanette Stromgren, Richard & Jeanette Swarts, Donna Jo & Mac Thompson, Larry & Jeannine Colstrom, Maurice & Cindy Koch.

Fourth of July celebration activities flyer is available here.

In the near future, the fairgrounds, Lions Club Food Stand, 4-H barns and pavilion, parade route will be bustling with a lot of activity going on. July 10-13 are the dates for the annual fair event in Osage City. Schedules, events, etc. are posted on the Osage County Fair Association website: https://www.osagecountyfair.org/ or also check out their Facebook page.

Heather Glover is in charge of the parade which will be held Friday, July 12 at 6:30. She is diligently working to get information to the businesses and organizations to participate in the parade. She is hoping to make it a fun filled event this year. Heather reported that she is starting to receive entries; however, she hopes that there will be many more to come. Decorated golf carts and ATV’s are invited to participant in the parade this year. Golf cart and ATV drivers must be at least 17 years of age to drive in the parade. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for parade entries.

This year, a coloring contest for ages K through 5th grade (2019-20 school year) will be sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Students participating in the Summer Reading program at the Osage City Public Library can pick up the specific coloring page and return to the Library by June 29. Eight winners will have the opportunity to ride on the fire truck in the parade.

Directly following the parade, be sure to go out to the fairgrounds, stop at the Lions Club food stand, get a hamburger, chips & a piece of homemade pie, then take a seat & enjoy the rest of the evening at the Talent Show, sponsored by the Lions Club & Harmon Dental.

With all of the beautifully groomed yards and flower beds in Osage City, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring a “Yard of the Month” Recognition during the months of June through September. The selection of the yard will take place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at an Osage City business.

We are pleased to announce that Clifford and Donna Butterfield’s yard has been selected for the month of June. Their home is located at 513 Miller.

Osage City’s spring citywide garage sales are set for April 19-20, 2019. Sellers can sign up with Tricia Gundy at Peterson Assisted Living, Robyn Williams and staff at Edward Jones, or Kathy Ayers and staff at First National Bank, to get their sale listed on a map distributed by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. There will be a legend on the map to give buyers an idea of what might be for sale at each location. A $5 donation to be placed on the map goes toward the Chamber’s local scholarship fund. For more information, contact Tricia Gundy at 785-528-3301 or 785-219-9727.

Have you considered joining the Osage City Chamber of Commerce?  Did you know that you don’t have to own a business to be a member of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce?  Are there different types of memberships? What are the benefits of belonging to the Osage City Chamber of Commerce?

Eligibility

Any person, firm, association, corporation, partnership, non-profit organization or estate having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible for membership.

Types

• Regular Memberships – Any person, firm, association, corporation, partnership or estate having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible for membership.  Any regular member shall have the discretion to designate their voting member.
• Non-Profit Memberships – non-profit organization being a regular member with a member designated for voting purposes.
• Associate Memberships – Any person having an interest in the objectives of the organization. Associate Members have no voting rights, nor may they serve as an officer or director, unless otherwise approved by the Board, but they will have all other membership privileges and responsibilities.

Procedure

Any applicant shall become a member upon payment of the regularly scheduled dues.

Positive impact of Chamber Membership

As a member of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce you are more informed, better educated, and directly connected to your peers. Whether you are an individual, firm, association, corporation, partnership, non-profit organization, estate, starting a new business, or you are an established business owner, membership with the Osage City Chamber of Commerce provides a multitude of opportunities to grow and connect to the community.

• Networking Opportunities:  After Hours Mixers, Monthly Luncheon, Ribbon Cuttings
• Promotion Opportunities: Community Directory, E-mail Blast, Sponsorships, Advertising, Community Message Center Sign
• Member Events: Fair Parade, 4th of July Celebration, Garage Sales, Beer Festival, Christmas Opener, Home Tour

For more information about becoming a member, email: osagecitychamber@gmail.com; visit our website www.osagecitychamber.com, or call 785-219-2510.

Membership drive for 2019 will begin at the end of October.  If you would like to be a member of an organization that strives to continue to improve the community, please consider joining the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.

Planning has begun for the annual Christmas on Market celebration Nov. 24. We encourage you to mark the date on your calendar and plan to shop local that weekend as many of our hometown businesses will be offering great opportunities for holiday gifts.  The theme this year is: Christmas on Market 2018:  “Country Christmas”.

In addition to shopping, activities will be held throughout the day including breakfast, lunch, visits with Santa, jingle bell run 5K, in store activities, chili cook-off, chili feed, gingerbread house building, craft show, raffle drawing, Kansas City Chief’s Wolf mascot, Topeka Pilots ice hockey mascot, Topeka Drum Corp, free photo booth, free poker run, bake sale, emergency services showcase, fire truck rides, ping pong throw, story time, bingo and the traditional lighted Christmas parade.

Event details will be announced as they are confirmed in the coming weeks.  If you are interested in helping with the planning of this annual Chamber event, contact Jeanette Swarts at 785/249-5451.  The next planning meeting will be October 3, 5:30 p.m. at Harmon Dental office.

For the second consecutive year, Osage City has been asked to welcome the bicycle riders and relay runners as they travel through Osage City on the Dirty Kanza Promotions “Rush the Rails” event on Saturday, October 6^th.   There are three locations that will designate 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 may choose which course length they want to participate in.  The relay runners will be either a four person team or eight person team. This is not a timed event.

The Chamber of Commerce will host the event at the Depot as the Santa Fe Park area has been designated as one of the stopping points for the participants.   The Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to show off our community and express our generous hospitality.   Participants will be welcomed to take a break and relax on the shaded lawn of the Santa Fe Park, enjoy snacks provided by the Osage City Kiwanis Club and the Osage City Lions Club, sandwiches, water refills, which will be provided at the Depot.  The Depot Museum and model train areas will be opened for the visitors to enjoy and learn a little about the history of Osage City.  Osage City and surrounding communities are welcome and encouraged to come and visit with the participants that will be passing through our community throughout the day from approximately 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.  Contact Jeanette Swarts at 785-249-5451 if you have any questions.

Come sample dozens of craft and import beers featuring several brewed right here in Kansas.  Enjoy the music of The Bryton Stoll Band while satisfying your hunger from the Saucy Lady BBQ food truck.

There will be a raffle table with drawings for some awesome craft beer related items.  Every taster will get a sample glass to take home.  Event will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sept. 29^th at the Pavillion, Osage City Fairgrounds.  Ticket sales benefit the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, which in turn benefits The Warmth Fund, E.C.A.T., college scholarships for high school seniors and the July 4 fireworks, among others.

Advance tickets are just $25 with tickets at the gate $30 with DD’s. Tickets are available at Jerrys Thriftway, Stark Car Wash, Bank of Osage City, Mulready’s Pub in Emporia and online at brownpaperticket.com   All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

COF is celebrating their 50^th year & they would like to invite the community to attend an open house Wednesday, September 26 from 11:00-1:00 at their facility located at 532 Holliday (old Dollar General Store). The Chamber of Commerce will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony & the COF will be serving a light lunch with an opportunity to meet the staff & tour the facility.

September marks the fourth & final month of recognizing a “Yard of the Month” for 2018, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.  Recognition was during the period of June through September.  The selection of the yard took place during the first few days of each month.  In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yards, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business.

With the assistance of Mother Nature providing the area some much needed rain, Robert & Cheryl Shaffer’s yard became green again along with their beautiful & intriguing landscape areas. We are pleased to announce that Robert & Cheryl Shaffer’s yard has been selected for the month of September. Their home is located at 849 Romine Ridge.

It is that time of the year again for the Fall Osage City Citywide Garage Sale.  This is a great opportunity to roam around Osage City looking for the best bargains or to get rid of some of that “stuff” you never use and free up some space.

The Citywide Garage Sale is set for Sept. 14 and 15. For a map of the sales, stop by Peterson’s Assisted Living (Tricia Gundy), the Bank of Osage City (Kaitlin Swindale) or the First National Bank (Kathy Ayers), or other area businesses.

For more information, call Tricia Gundy, chairperson, Osage City Chamber Garage Sale Committee, at 785-528-3301.