
1861 Club Update – Love and Excitement in the Air
Thank you again to everyone that stopped by the 1861 Club during the 2024 Kansas State Fair. We continue to hear remarkable things about the beautiful venue, the wonderful experiences you had, and the memories made. We look forward to seeing you next year at the 2025...

1861 Club Hosts Evergy Announcement
The 1861 Club was excited to host Evergy's announcement of their plans to build two new 705 MW high-efficiency natural gas plants in Kansas, with one being in Reno County on Monday, October 21. HutchChamber President & CEO, Debra Tuefel, welcomed the crowd...

Shank’s Take: The Kansas State Fair Has Momentum – 2024 Kansas State Fair Review
The 2024 Kansas State Fair has concluded producing its share of happy memories to last a lifetime. Opening of the 1861 Club was a watershed moment in the history of the fair and the public response exceeded all expectations. An out-of-town builder was...

Save the Date – Bridal Fair at 1861 Club
The 1861 Club will be hosting a Bridal Fair on Sunday, February 2, 2025. From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Save the Date1861 Club Bridal FairSunday, Feb. 2, 20251 PM - 5 PMat the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. More details coming soon!

Introducing Hats and Horses 2025 – The Foundation’s Newest Premier Fundraiser!
“And we’re off”….. to planning and creating “Hats & Horses” a new featured event of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation in our beautiful new 1861 Club venue. Hats and Horses is not just another Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation featured event, but an event which is...

Foundation Highlights – 2024 Kansas State Fair
The 2024 Kansas State Fair can only be described as incredible from the vantage point of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation. A key highlight for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation was the opening of the 1861 Club. This new venue on the Kansas State Fairgrounds...

Boots and Bling 2025 – Reserve Your Sponsorship NOW!
Boots and Bling has become known as the best FUNdraising party in Kansas. From the Food, to the Auctions, to the Entertainment – it is the must attend fundraising party of the year. Boots & Bling 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, August 9. Reserve your sponsorship...

1861 Club Update – A WOW! at the Kansas State Fair
Whether guests came in for food, beverage, entertainment or to check out the 1861 Club during the Kansas State Fair, WOW! was the word of the week heard loud and clear from many. The 1861 Club was the talk of the fairgrounds and across town, as the word spread...

House Bill 2098 to Benefit Kansas State Fairgrounds Improvement Projects
Early in 2024, Representative Lisa Moser sponsored House Bill (HB) 2662 which would allow the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation the ability to apply for Project Tax Exemptions for Foundation building project on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Foundation Board members and...

A Fantastic First Year for 1861 Club
The Grand Opening of the 1861 Club coincided with the opening of the 2024 Kansas State Fair – Friday, Sept. 6 was a note worthy day as the first Kansas State Fair patrons came through the gates and entered the 1861 Club for the first time. As people entered, they...