August 2024

The 1861 Club will offer a menu of non-traditional fair food that is comforting and fun. The limited menu will offer classic grilled sandwiches, freshly made cold wraps, shareables, desserts, and cold beverages. A featured item will be a Fiesta Fusion Boat. This crunchy, cheesy delight is made with a foundation of corn tortilla chips taken to the next level generously topped with flavorful blanco queso, your choice of savory braised beef or bacon ranch chicken, roasted garden salsa, and topped with a sprinkle of cotija cheese. The Fiesta Fusion Boat will be a crowd-pleaser and can be ordered as an appetizer, as your main meal, or shared with a friend.     

Be sure to enjoy a Fiesta Fusion Boat with our signature 1861 lager. Cheers!

Keep up to date on everything happening at the 1861 Club. Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

July 2024

It has been a 2-year journey, and we cannot wait to share the 1861 Club with you. The 1861 Club is open to everyone… no membership required.

The 1861 Club is the new event venue being built by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, located on Cottonwood Avenue next to the Domestic Arts Building.

There are less than 70 days to the 1861 Club grand opening. The grand opening is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6th, which is the first day of the Kansas State Fair. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5th, at 1:30 PM. 

The grandeur of the 1861 Club is spectacular with a 30’ open beam wood ceiling with stone accents showcased throughout. This climate-controlled venue has a 6,600 square foot main room with seating for up to 350 banquet style or 700 theater style. During the 10 days of the Kansas State Fair the 1861 Club will be open to the public as a food, beverage and entertainment venue for guests looking for a new and entertaining Fair experience. The atmosphere will be fun and friendly with great service and the menu will offer non-traditional fair food and beverage options. Guests will be able to place orders at the bar or by using a QR code available at each table. As you enter the 1861 Club, we will welcome you by providing information on placing food and beverage orders, the 1861 Club entertainment schedule, and information on how to reserve the 1861 Club for your special event. 

Following the Fair, the 1861 Club will transform into an elevated space to ensure your event is special for a wedding, reunion or corporate event. Rental packages may include table and chairs, access to a fully equipped catering kitchen for a licensed caterer, a bar service area, stage, sound and audio system, rooms are available for the bridal party or small corporate breakout sessions with access to an open-air partially covered patio.

Wien’s Construction and the subcontractors have done an amazing job in the short timeline given from start to completion for the venue build juggling projects as needed to stay on schedule despite weather or material delays. Wiens Construction’s commitment, confidence, and quality of workmanship has shown throughout this project and has been noticed by many and greatly appreciated.  

Welcome Tami Rife – Tami officially joined the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation staff in January 2024 as the 1861 Club Manager and hit the ground running.

Interest and inquiries in the 1861 Club are high and bookings for private events are currently being contracted beginning Fall 2024. To learn more about booking the 1861 Club for your special event, call 620-615-7328 or send your inquiry to 1861Club@KsFgF.org

The 1861 Club marks another major project taken on by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation including; the building of the Lair White House, the complete rebuild of the House of Capper with the addition of the Capper Cooperative Park, plus many other improvement projects across the fairgrounds. 

We look forward to your visit during the Fair.  

Keep up to date on everything happening at the 1861 Club. Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

June 2024

Excitement is building and the countdown is on. There are less than 100 days to the 1861 Club grand opening. The Grand opening is scheduled for Friday, September 6, which is also the first day of the Kansas State Fair. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, at 1:30 PM.

The 1861 Club is the new event venue being built by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, located on Cottonwood Ave next to the Domestic Arts Building.

During the 10 days of the Fair, the 1861 Club will be open to the public as a food, beverage, and entertainment venue. Non-Fair we are booking dates for weddings, corporate and special events beginning October 1, 2024.

Construction is on schedule with project updates taking place day by day. Exterior projects were a priority during the month of May with most of the stonework and siding being completed. Groundwork is currently taking place in preparation for the west patio.    

Please keep us in mind as you make plans for your special day. To learn more about the 1861 Club non-fair booking dates, send your inquiry to Club1861@ksfgf.org or call 620-615-7328.Keep up-to-date on everything happening at the 1861 Club.  Like and follow us on Facebook or on Instagram.

May 2024

Progress continues on the site of the 1861 Club located on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.   During the month of April, the construction crews did an incredible job of moving forward.   The framing is complete, the decorative stone is in place and much of the building is enclosed. 

The Grand Opening of the 1861 Club is scheduled for Friday, September 6, which is also the opening day of the 2024 Kansas State Fair. It promises to be an exciting and fun-filled day.  During the 10 days of the Fair, the 1861 Club will be open to the public as a food, beverage, and entertainment venue.   

Non-Fair we are booking dates for weddings and special events beginning in Fall 2024.

Please keep us in mind as you make plans for your special date.

Stay up to date on everything happening at the 1861 Club, like and follow us on Facebook using the button below.  If you would like more information, contact us at 620-615-7328.

April 2024

The heavy wood laminate timbers have arrived! The full scale and beauty of this building is taking shape more and more each day as construction continues to make progress.

The Grand Opening of the 1861 Club is set for September 6, which is also the opening day of the 2024 Kansas State Fair. It promises to be an exciting and fun-filled day.

Bookings for private events are currently being contracted for Fall 2024 and 2025. Contact us today to book your company holiday party, wedding, quinceanera, or corporate meeting.

Keep up to date on everything happening at the 1861 Club, like and follow us on Facebook!

March 2024

Each passing day brings the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation one day closer to the Grand Opening of the 1861 Club. Set for September 6, also the opening day of the 2024 Kansas State Fair, it promises to be an exciting and fun-filled day.

Construction on the building is in full swing with plans for this incredible new venue coming together. The small conference rooms, beverage service area, and office are all framed in. The heavy wood laminate timbers will be arriving soon allowing for the building to be enclosed and all the beautiful details to start taking shape.

Bookings for private events are currently being contracted for Fall 2024 and 2025. Contact us today to book your company holiday party, wedding, quinceanera, or corporate meeting.

Keep up to date on everything happening at the 1861 Club, like and follow us on Facebook!

February 2024

The booking calendar is open! Check out the post linked below for more details!

January 2024

1861 Club Hired: Welcome Tami Rife! Read all about it in the post linked below!

October 2023

The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation and Kansas State Fair hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the “1861 Club”, the new event venue being built by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Read all about it in the post linked below!