Shank’s Take: The New Impact Award and the Power of “Thanks”
No long-term event is successful without the support of dedicated volunteers who serve with no expectations of monetary gain, letters of commendation or plaques of recognition. Perhaps, no finer example of volunteerism exists than those who have stepped forward for...
1861 Club Booking Calendar is Now Open
The booking calendar for the 1861 Club opened on Feb. 1 for Fall 2024 (October – December) and 2025 events. The 1861 Club is the new event venue currently being built by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. This beautiful nearly 15,000...
1861 Club Manager Hired: Welcome, Tami Rife!
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation is excited to announce that Tami Rife has joined the Foundation team as the manager for the 1861 Club. Tami brings years of sales management experience to her new role as manager of the 1861 Club. Tami was often recognized for her...
January Volunteer Spotlight: 2023 Recap
The Volunteer Spotlight section has become a much anticipated part of the First Friday E-Update during its cardinal year in 2023. It started in February 2023 and has featured a different volunteer each month throughout the year. We want to share a recap of all of the...
Shank’s Take: Harland Priddle, A Kansas Icon Spent Time in Service to the Kansas State Fair
Harland Priddle, a Kansas original, icon and legend in his own time, whose multiple careers included time spent with the Kansas State Fair, passed away December 12. Photo credit: Lt. Governor David Toland on X (formerly Twitter). In 2020, Harland, who grew up on...
2023 Year in Review: A BIG Year for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) continues to grow every year; 2023 was no exception. Thanks to our board members, staff, volunteers, and especially our incredible donors, the Foundation had a historic year that has allowed us to make a strong start in 2024. We...
20 Years on the Foundation Board by Sara Evans
In 2004, John and I were asked by Mary Alice Lair to serve as members of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board of Directors. John and I have always loved the Kansas State Fair, and we have great memories of bringing our children to Hutchinson to see their 4-H...
December 2023 Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Alice Lair
What better way to celebrate this season than by hearing from one of the founding members of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF), Mary Alice Lair. Mary Alice, as she is known to nearly everyone, has been involved with the Kansas State Fair (KSF) since the mid 70s...
Shank’s Take: Sharing Kansas State Fair Memories
The final days of any year produce thoughts of nostalgia and priceless memories to last a lifetime. To explain my favorite State Fair memory is difficult in that so many exist but it is safe to say that the first recollections are often the best. As a...
Thank you for Coming “Together”! – An End of Year Letter
Wow, as we look at the accomplishments in 2023, we pause to say THANK YOU for Coming “Together”! Thank you for giving your time, talents, and resources, as well as your words of encouragement. THANK YOU for making 2023 a banner year for the Kansas Fairgrounds...