Shank’s Take: We Have Much to Be Thankful For
Twenty days from today, America’s families and loved ones will be seated together for a Thanksgiving feast, an American tradition that saw its origin 400 years in 1621. The first Thanksgiving dinner was held near Plymouth Rock where English settlers stepped off the...
Gift Sweeter This Year: Salt Water Taffy Holiday Packages
Looking for a gift that’s just the right mix of thoughtful, local, and a little unexpected? Kansas State Fair Salt Water Taffy is now available for the holidays! Get the same colorful, chewy tradition that fairgoers love—perfect for stocking stuffers, small...
October @ the 1861 Club: A Month Fall of Celebration!
October was truly a month to remember at the 1861 Club! We were thrilled to host a wide variety of events that brought everyone together in celebration, connection, and joy. We kicked off the month with the NAACP Annual Fundraiser, which turned out beautifully. The...
Coming Soon: 90’s Revival – All Hat, No Cadillac at the 1861 Club
Great Music. Cold Beer. Pure 90’s Country Fun! Grab your best hat and practice your two-step — All Hat No Cadillac is coming back to the 1861 Club! The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, in partnership with Kona Brewing, is launching the Liquid Aloha Concert Series, and...
September @ the 1861 Club
What an incredible Kansas State Fair! The 1861 Club was buzzing with energy, and we can’t thank you enough for joining us. Our new Fresh Finds menu was a big hit! The Chef Salad was a refreshing option for many of our guests this year. If you prefer more traditional...
Generally Speaking: Wrapping up Kansas State Fair 2025 Means Big Numbers and Bigger Thanks
Updates from Kansas State Fair General Manager, Bryan K. Schulz, IFMG, CFE Generally Speaking: WOW what an amazing Ten Days of the 2025 Kansas State Fair, with a few records being set! Even with several days of rain and our parking lots unavailable for use, we still...
Hal & Ann Sankey are the 2025 Wall of Honor Inductee by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
When one thinks about leadership and styles of leadership, they soon understand that leadership comes in many forms. This year the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation will recognize two individuals as the Wall of Honor inductees whose leadership is so genuine and true to...
Boots & Bling 2026 Date Announced – Mark Your Calendars!
A New Date for an Unforgettable Night of Fun, Music, and Giving Get ready to circle a brand-new date on your calendars, because the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation is excited to announce that Boots & Bling 2026 will now take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026! This...
Shank’s Take: Showers Can’t Dampen Fairground Progress
Motivational Speaker and Coach Lou Holtz once said the way an organization reacts to adversity can be even more important than how the operation acted in the first place. Mother Nature put a few road blocks for this year’s fair, with intermittent showers and...
Shank’s Take: Time to Open Another Kansas State Fair
All eyes are on Hutchinson at 11 a.m. this morning as we meet at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena to launch the 112th annual Kansas State Fair. It has been a great year for the fair and we still have one third of 2025 ahead of us. Much has been accomplished with...