Osage City Chamber of Commerce

Ladies, Gentlemen, Clubs, Organizations, Businesses, & Others:

It is time once again for the annual fair parade to be upon us and for our community to come together and make it an awesome event.  This year the theme for the parade is “Salute To America – 250 Years.”  

There is prize money for Float entries, Decorated Golf Carts and ATV’s & Decorated Horse & Cart/Decorated Horse & Rider. (Remember you must be 17 years old to drive either Golf Carts or ATV’s. No Water Balloons).

• Prize money for Float entries:    1st – $125.00,  2nd – $100.00,  3rd – $75.00,  4th – $50.00
• Prize money for Golf Cart/ATV:  1st – $30.00,  2nd – $20.00,  3rd – $10.00
• Prize money for Most Creative Horse & Cart:   $50.00
• Prize money for Most Creative Horse & Rider:  $50.00

Please help to make this year’s Fair Parade a great success by entering something fun, themed and memorable.

Line-up starts at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station). Judging for floats, Golf Carts and ATV’s will begin at 5:15 pm and end at 5:45 pm and will take place in the line-up area at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station).

The judging for the Horse entries will begin at 5:30 pm & end at 5:45 pm and will take place in the street prior to the drive to Flint Hills Beverage.  Remain in this area until parade route starts.

Thank you in advance for your participation in our “Salute To America – 250 Years” parade.  It is you, the community that make it a success by participating!!  If you have any questions, contact the email below.

Please email or text your parade entry form information to the contact below.

Adam Burnett

osagecityparade@gmail.com

• All American Fencing & More
• Angels Care Home Health
• Asset Life Cycle
• AuBurn Pharmacy
• Bank of Osage City
• Branine Chevrolet
• Brian Stromgren
• Bull’s Eye Liquor
• Burns, Burns, Walsh and Walsh
• Canine Country Clips
• City of Osage City
• COF Training Services, Inc.
• Colstrom Farms
• Community Covenant Church
• Cross Winds Counseling and Wellness
• Eagles #3890
• ECAT
• ECKAN
• Edward Jones Investments
• Farm Bureau Financial Services/Kirk Bath, Agent
• First National Bank of Kansas
• Flint Hills Beverage
• Furniture Loft
• Garrett’s Fireworks
• Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Hair Designs
• Harmon Dental
• H and H Appraisal
• Higher Power Health & Yoga
• Holmberg Oil
• Homestead of Osage City
• Home Town Health Care
• ICT Financial Group, LLC
• JAG Trucking, LLC
• Jeanette Swarts
• Jodi Lohmeyer Agency
• John’s Barber Shop
• Kathi Webster
• KB’s SpecialTees
• Kirk & Cobb, Inc.
• Koch Guesthouse
• Lakefront Insurance
• Landmark National Bank
• Liberty Real Estate
• Liquor Market, LLC
• Lusk Properties
• Lyndon State Bank
• Marilynn’s Restaurant
• McCoy’s RadioShack
• Meadowlark Interiors & Restoring
• Mike Gilliland
• Osage City Area Community Foundation
• Osage City Golf Course
• Osage City Lions Club
• Osage City Public Library
• Osage City United Methodist Church
• Osage County Economical Development
• Osage County Fair Association
• Osage County Farm Bureau Association
• Osage County Herald-Chronicle
• Osage County News
• Osage County Senior Center & General Transportation
• Osage Garden and Produce
• Osage Nursing Center
• Osage Veterinary Services
• Osage Vision Clinic – Jody Buller
• Payne Financial Strategies
• Pearson Farms
• Peterson Assisted Living
• Porter Cattle Company
• Prairie Dog Art & Gifts
• QRC Consulting
• Ramblin’ Rose
• Resource Center Independent Living
• Ridge Iron Grill
• Saffer Associates LLC American Family Insurance
• Salt Creek Fitness & Rehabilitation
• Shanda Koett
• Shirley Bausman
• SOS, Inc.
• St. Patrick Catholic Church
• Stormont Vail Clinic – Osage City
• The Body Shop
• The ClotheSpin
• Theel Plumbing, Heating, Cooling
• Thelma Humerickhouse
• United Way of the Flint Hills
• USD #420
• Waters Hardware
• White’s Foodliner
• Wischropp Auctions

The date for the annual community fireworks show hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday, July 11, 2026 starting at 10:00 pm.  This year’s celebration will be an extra special event in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.

The event is one of the more expensive events that is offered to the community and it takes a joint effort of financial resources to help supplement the cost of the merchandise (fireworks).  The Chamber was very pleased with the positive response of the sponsorship from businesses and individuals for last year and hope to meet the projected goal of $10,000.00 for this year.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce would like to ask your support for 2026 and donate toward the 2026 budget to cover the cost of the fireworks display.  If you would like to make a donation for the fireworks event, please make your donation to the Osage City Chamber of Commerce and mail to PO Box 56, Osage City, KS  66523.

July 8 – 11th, 2026 will mark the dates for the Osage County Fair in Osage City. Discount presale tickets for the carnival will again be available for purchase at local business outlets in Osage City and surrounding areas – please visit osagecountyfair.org or the Osage County Fair Association Facebook Page for the most updated information as the date gets closer!

Osage County Fair Parade  

The theme for the fair and the parade is “Salute to America – 250 Years” The parade will be Friday, July 10 at 6:30pm.

This year’s Parade Chairman will be Adam Burnett. To submit an entry for the parade, forms will be available on the Chamber of Commerce “Events” page. The Chamber of Commerce will be offering cash prizes for float entries and Golf Cart/ATV entries.  Please contact Adam at osagecityparade@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments regarding the event.

More Parade Info:

It is reminded that persons must be 17 years old to drive either Golf Carts or ATV’s. No water balloons will be allowed in the parade.

Line-up starts at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station). Judging for floats, Golf Carts and ATV’s will begin at 5:15 and will end at 5:45 and will take place in the line-up area at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station).

The judging for the horse entries will begin at 5:30 & end at 5:45 and will take place in the street prior to the drive to Flint Hills Beverage.  Please remain in this area until the parade route starts.

There will also be a Kid’s Parade for children up to age twelve, decorate your bikes & meet at the east side of Lincoln Park to ride ahead of the main parade. Parade line up is at 6:00. Each child that participates will get a treat.  Please contact Becky Siljenberg, email osagegardenandproduce@gmail.com  or at 785-217-7342 if you have any questions regarding the event.

Thank you in advance for your participation in our “Salute to America – 250 Years” parade.  It is you, the community, that make it a success by entering something fun, themed and memorable!

Horn & Ivory Bookstore at 522 Market Street is set to open for business on June 20, 2026. Selling both new and used books, the store will house fiction and non-fiction titles with a little something for everyone.

Owner Madison Curtis named her store Horn & Ivory as an homage to Homer’s Odyssey – one of the first stories she says sparked her love of reading. She hopes to create a place where books feel alive—where people of all ages can explore, discover, and feel inspired. She plans to collaborate with Forty Barrels Coffee + Kitchen in the future, allowing patrons to mingle between both locations through their connected double-doors.

Horn & Ivory will offer more than just books, it will also feature e-reader accessories, puzzles, stickers, candles, and store merchandise. Anything you need to enhance your reading experience.

Operating hours will be 5pm – 8pm Wednesday-Thursday, and 8am-6pm Friday – Sunday.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce welcomes Horn & Ivory to its membership and Downtown Osage City!

Congratulations to sophomores Kenzie Bellinger and Sophia Brabb for being nominated and selected to attend the HOBY Leadership Conference at K-State at the end of May!

HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) focuses on leadership and service — qualities that shine in both Kenzie and Sophia. Fun fact: Mrs. Dena Paul was a HOBY attendee 43 years ago! Her 36 years of dedication to Osage City Schools reflects the same spirit of leadership and service that HOBY inspires in our students.

In lieu of scholarships this year, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce sponsored the cost to send Kenzie and Sophia — we like to help our students grow as leaders and community contributors!

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 participating Osage City businesses.

We are pleased to announce that Teresa Knight’s yard has been selected for the month of June.  Her home is located at 415 South 8th Street. She has lived in Osage City for 15 years, and has lots of lovely potted and planted flowers lining the walkway to her front door, and all along the property. She gets some of her plants from out of town, but most of her flowers have come from Osage Garden and Produce!

Beautiful arrangements of potted petunias in multiple colors are some of her favorite things to put together. She has several pollinator and hummingbird-friendly flowers. Teresa also shared that she has two memorial rose bushes, in honor of her late sons. Thank you, Teresa, for making your yard a work of heart so that the community can share in its beauty!

You are invited to attend the annual Osage City Chamber Awards Banquet Friday, May 1, 2026.  Enjoy an evening of food, entertainment, a guest speaker, and special award recognitions.

The Chamber will be recognizing four special award categories: 2025 New Business of the Year, Business of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Nonprofit of the Year.  All Chamber member businesses are encouraged to apply directly or make a nomination for the awards. In addition, associations, financial institutions, customers, and other companies may nominate a business or employee that meet the award’s requirements. Nominations are judged by an independent panel.  Nomination deadline is April 23, 2026.  See applications for complete details.

Buffet Style Dinner

Guest Speaker  

Musical Entertainment

Award Presentations

Purchase tickets by contacting Jeanette Swarts via email at osagecitychamber@gmail.com.

Single tickets are $25 or a table of 8 for $180.  

For more information contact Jeanette.

Osage City Fall Citywide Garage Sales will be Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, 2025. The Osage City Chamber of Commerce hosts the garage sales, inviting everyone to town to find bargains at Osage City’s garages, driveways and front yards.

Chamber volunteer Jeanette Stromgren has developed an area map that shows types of items available at sales around town. Proceeds from the map listings and ad sales go towards scholarships awarded every year to two Osage City High School graduates that are furthering their education.

The garage sale map is available here: Osage City Fall 2025 Citywide Garage Sales Map. (pdf) or see below.

A new award category this year, the New Business of the Year Award, recognized TwoCousins weeSale LLC, and owners, Stephanie and Jaryl Seth.

During 2023, Osage City was fortunate to be chosen as the home for TwoCousins weeSale LLC. The Seths have settled in the building that was formerly Henry’s Coffee House, and are filling their store with a variety of clothing from new born to maternity wear. They also house a nice variety of toys, bedding, and furniture to outfit a home for a new addition to the family.

They have become involved with the various events that the Chamber has to offer throughout the year and look forward to becoming more involved as the time passes. They regularly partner and donate merchandise to the local non-profit organizations in the county, support the schools with shoes and clothing for families in need and emergency support of families upon a disaster.

Louise Lira, of White’s Foodliner, formerly Jerry’s Thriftway, was selected as the Chamber’s Employee of the Year.

Louise has been an employee at the grocery store since 2012 – 12 years with Jerry’s Thriftway and now White’s Foodliner.

She always greets customers with a smile and is always very helpful answering customer’s questions.  Louise has worked through the owner change and made the transition with ease. Throughout her years of gaining experience, she has taken on a leadership role with the other checkers and always takes care of their problems that they may encounter.

The Osage City Public Library was named as the recipient for the Non-Profit of the Year Award, at the Osage City Chamber of Commerce’s annual award banquet. The library’s mission statement is “More than just books”.  The library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

The library is dedicated and provides more than books to all ages of citizens of Osage City and Osage County. They have partnered with AARP to provide tax assistance to the elderly. Catholic Charities brings a resource bus to the library, providing food, hygiene and baby items. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office uses the library as a toy drop off station during the Christmas season.

Jeanette Stromgren and her staff and volunteers are always known for being friendly, professional and willing to help visitors find books and movies of interest.  The staff consists of two fulltime and five part-time employees.

The library provides snacks to students after school, meals for children during the summer, story time twice a week for those five and younger.

The staff visits local daycares, assisted living, nursing homes, and homebound individuals.

During the Osage City Chamber of Commerce’s annual award banquet, the Business of the Year Award recipient was Payne Financial Strategies, and owners Kevin, Angie and Joshua Payne.

In the last year, Payne Financial Strategies has been involved and engaged with the community by establishing a business of financial professionals that are dedicated to professionally serving the Osage and surrounding area communities. They have gained remarkable growth, community involvement and passion in educating and serving the community.  Josh Payne, a member of this team, is a recipient of the Kansas NextGen Under 30 award for young professionals which is a very prestigious honor.

Payne Financial Strategies has experienced growth in staff or other development as they have achieved milestones and setting new standards of success by serving others.  Their commitment to the local community is to provide quality, customer satisfaction and proper financial planning that will assist their clients in achieving short-term and long term financial goals.

Friday, March 22, 2024, marked the second annual Osage City Chamber of Commerce awards banquet, which was held at St. Brigid Hall. There were approximately one hundred attending the evening event which was filled with a variety of entertainment, good food and visiting with friends from the community.  C.J. Adkins with Flinthills Catering, catered a delicious meal topped off with a triple chocolate torte dessert that melted in your mouth.  Gavin Robert, a talented junior at Osage City High School provided a nice medley of soft dinner music on his keyboard & guitar. Following the meal, the first seqment of the evening program included two OCHS Forensics students presenting their award winning presentations.  Mr. Dustin Stucky, Forensics instructor introduced Gavin Ericson and Emily Whalen.  Both students gave very entertaining presentations and kept the attention of everyone.

Following the students was guest speaker, Casey Woods, Executive Director, of Emporia Main Street. He shared with the group some of the keys to a strong community. Emporia Main Street (EMS) is an economic and community development agency that operates within the City of Emporia and Lyon County. Their mission is to sustain and grow Emporia’s local economy by applying a four-point approach to create jobs, encourage tourism, and support entrepreneurs and business owners.

Highlighting the remainder of the program was the presentation of awards for four categories. Nominations for the four categories were submitted to the Chamber of Commerce throughout the months of February and March.

The holidays have been over for a couple months, the ground hog did not see his shadow; therefore, spring time is just around the corner and it is time to get ready to do some spring cleaning.   It will soon be that time of the year to sign up for the Spring Osage City Citywide Garage Sale.  This is a great opportunity to get rid of some of that “stuff” you never use and free up some space.  The Citywide Garage Sale is set for April 19 and 20.

To sign up, contact Tricia Gundy at 785-219-9727. The area map is user friendly, providing a chart for the type of items at the garage sales.  Tricia will need your name—as you want it listed on the map, address, a phone number in case of questions about the sale, if you are having the sale Friday and Saturday or Saturday only, what area you are on the map, type of items that you will be selling, for example: children clothing; adult clothing; furniture; collectibles; kitchen items; household items; craft items; miscellaneous and a $5 donation fee. Tricia is also working to make the map available per the Chamber of Commerce Facebook and website.  The proceeds go towards a scholarship awarded every year to two Osage City High School graduates that are furthering their education.  The deadline for adding a sale to the garage sale map is April 17th.

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce offers a scholarship to one senior girl & one senior boy graduating from Osage City High School.  High School graduation will soon be here and the Chamber would like to encourage any senior girl & boy that are furthering their education to get with Shana Smith, the High School Counselor and ask for application information. Specifically for the Osage City Chamber of Commerce application, data needed to apply is a transcript, two letters of reference and an essay from the student on importance of owning and operating a business in a small town.  Submit to the address listed on the application.  Deadline to submit application must be postmarked by April 19, 2024.

Kiwanis International designated the third week in March as an annual observance of Kiwanis Builders Club Week.

The Builders Club is a Service Leadership Program (SLP) sponsored by the Osage City Kiwanis. Ably guided by faculty/staff members and Kiwanis advisor, Builders Club is made up of middle school students who are interested in developing leadership skills and self-improvement. It is the largest SLP at the three schools.

The club is very active at the school and in the community with various activities such as fundraising, paper recycling in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club, operating concession stands during games, planning the Christmas dance, visiting Vintage Park retirement community, choosing students of the month and other activities. The club was chartered in 1999 at OCMS.

Holly Weece gave an informative presentation on ECKAN Head Start at the February Chamber members meeting.

ECKAN Head Start programs help prepare your child for lifelong success, right from the start. ECKAN offers free Head Start programs for low-income families with young children, from birth to age five. Their research-backed programs promote self-sufficiency, healthy growth and development and success for future experiences.

Head Start services include health screenings, parent education/involvement, nutrition, help with child’s disability, transitions, education. The Osage County Home Based (Early Head Start) is located at 528 Market Street, Osage City; Ph. 620.803.2040 or 620.803.2041; open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Refer to eckan.org website, Head Start link for detailed information.

Funds raised during the 2023 Osage City Christmas on Market event were divided between three local organizations, (ECKAN) The East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation, (ECAT) Ecumenical Christian Action Team and Osage City Warmth Fund.  Chamber Director Jeanette Swarts presented equal disbursements of $764.26 to Heather Ihde with ECKAN and Jeannine Colstrom with ECAT at the February 20th  Chamber Member Meeting

Representative Rev. Michael Turner with the Warmth Fund was unable to attend the meeting.

Along with the town itself, the Osage City Library has a very historic past. The Sorosis Club, a women’s literary group, established the library in 1922. They developed a collection by pushing baby buggies around town to gather books. In the mid 1920’s, Edward Lieber donated money to build the first library located at 214 South 6 th Street. The Sorosis Club consisted of 26 members; each member volunteered two weeks of their time to operate the library up until 1969. The library had outgrown their club and it became a public supported library in 1970. With community support, a new library was built in 2000 and the Lieber Library became the Osage City Public Library. A  Community Room, that can be rented, was added in 2016. A plaque honoring the Sorosis Club’s years of service was put on display in the library.

The library’s motto is “More Than Just Books” and is very fitting. The library has a collection that loans out not only books, but a variety of items including Audiobooks, Cake Pans, Magazines, Movies and Television Shows, Music CD’s, Puzzles, and Video Games. The Audiobook collection includes CD’s, but also Playaways and Wonderbooks. Customers of the library also have access to Flipster, Hoopla and Libby; all are digital borrowing services that provide access to eBooks, digital audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows and magazines for users to enjoy free.

The library provides a variety of programs and services for all ages. During the school year, Story Time is held twice a week for those five and younger, programs for school age children are held after school on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s each week and Lego Club each month. When school is not in session, additional programs are held as well. A Teen Group meets to work on projects for themselves and for the library and the Adult Book Club and Bingo are held monthly. Art classes for adults and youths are also held at the library.

During the Summer, the library provides library programs and incentives to promote reading, as well as providing summer meals to those 18 years and younger. If you need to laminate, fax, scan or make color or black and white copies, the library provides those services as well as Wi-Fi and computer usage and a genealogy collection that includes local newspapers dating back to the 1800’s and Osage City High School yearbooks starting with the 1913 yearbook.

35,907 people visited the library in 2023. While at the library, patrons borrowed 25,826 items, used the computers 2,474 times and logged into the Wi-Fi 4,729 times. Patrons also borrowed 5,108 e-materials. 303 programs for all ages were held at the library with a total of 3,874 people attending those events. During the school year, 3,958 snacks were handed out to students after school, a program that is funded by grants and donations. The 2,131 people who have an Osage City Library card have access to a collection of 1,513,921 items.

The Osage City Community is important to the library. Library staff visits local daycares to provide Story Time and visit assisted living and nursing homes to play Bingo with the residents.  In 2023, the library made over 200 visits to homebound patrons to deliver library materials to those who can’t make it to the library. The library partners with AARP to provide Tax Assistance and Catholic Charities who bring a Resource Bus that has food, hygiene and baby items.

Osage City Library is located at 515 Main and is open Monday-Thursday 10:00-8:00 pm, Friday 10:00-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00-2:00pm. For more information, visit their website, osagecitylibrary.org, call or stop by the library to sign up for a library card and to pick up the monthly activity calendar.

The staff at the library includes Jeanette Stromgren, Library Director; Mavet Cooper, Assistant Director; Clerks Debi Totman, Cherida DeWitt, Cathy Brace, Pam Carey and Mary Buek.