It’s time to mark calendars for May 31-June 2 to take part in the second-annual K-96 June Jaunt. This 176-mile long event, held the first weekend of June, stretches from Ellinwood to Tribune, featuring arts, antiques, crafts, cuisine, music and so much more. Non-stop, the trip would take about three hours and 40 minutes, but organizers are hoping folks will take a lot longer, and see what they have to offer in arts, history and commerce.
Visitors to the communities can choose from a variety of events, designed to showcase authentic rural Kansas at its finest. Along the drive, choose from crafts and antique shows, car shows, concerts, barbecues, movies in the park, magicians, kids’ games, sidewalk and garage sales, and hearty food.
“We’re so excited to expand on the success of last year’s event,” said Christy Hopkins, one of the 2013 June Jaunt regional partners. “Each community is unique and will showcase a wide range of sights, sounds and events.”
These are just a few of the events you can experience in each community:
In Ellinwood, enjoy the Outdoor Antique and Unique Market. Also take time to explore an intriguing piece of the past with an Historic Underground World Tour.
In Great Bend, take in a free movie in the Square on Friday. Enjoy a fun-filled family day on Saturday, which will feature art, photography, games, crafts, food, and entertainment. Sunday’s Community BBQ will include a kite festival and sand volleyball tournament, plus much more.
In Rush Center, enjoy free refreshments while viewing historical and photography exhibits, crafts, and museum. You can also travel four miles north and visit four museums in one convenient location at LaCrosse: Kansas Barbed Wire, Rush County Historical, Nekoma Bank, and Post Rock.
In Ness City, explore one of the community’s two museums: the Ness County Historical Museum and the Oil and Agriculture Museum.
In Dighton, explore the community’s history at the Lane County Museum, bowl a frame at Dighton Bowl, or enjoy a meal at one of the community’s restaurants.
In Scott City, those from 10 to 110 can help paint a “Community Mural”, the Shriners “Ride for the Kids” benefit motorcycle ride features a dinner and dance. Learn about the local railroad history at the museum. Take in fun for all with outdoor movies, live bands, sidewalk sales and food galore!
In Leoti, come get a taste of rural life with the rural life demonstration fair; featuring rope making, blacksmithing, wheat weaving and more. Get another taste of Wichita County as you dine on delicious local foods that represent different cultures in the community.
In Tribune, bring your classic car, bike or pickup to our K-96 June Jaunt Car Show. Or, if you prefer traveling on your own legs, sign up for the nighttime Full Moon in June Family 2 Mile Run/Walk, 5K or 10k.
As an added incentive to travel the entire route, visitors can take part in geocaching and/or questing, filling out a stamp-able card at one location in each community. By using GPS coordinates or for our low-tech friends, deciphering community clues, one lucky winner will be drawn to win $250 cash plus additional community incentives. This year’s questing theme is “antiques,” and sites in each community will be related to a location or object from an earlier era.
“Taking part in the June Jaunt is a wonderful way to experience rural communities at their best,” said Simone Cahoj, a 2013 June Jaunt regional partner. “Be sure to pick up a June Jaunt tabloid, visit our website at http://www.k96junejaunt.com, read our blog, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.”
The K-96 June Jaunt provides an opportunity for central and western Kansas to showcase their communities by creating events, highlighting attractions, and developing relationships with neighboring communities. Each of the eight communities work together to build a lasting, memorable event that creates cross-community ties and enhances regional cooperation throughout the year. For more information about the 2013 K-96 June Jaunt, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or check out our webpage at www.k96junejaunt.com.