Events & Culture: Emporia Celebrates

Rooted Celebrations

Downtown Emporia comes to life in spring and fall with colorful celebrations of Latino culture and heritage. Local non-profit, Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow, hosts the CINCO DE MAYO block party annually in May. The group also hosts the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS celebration and parade annually in October. Both events are held Downtown and are packed with food, music, dancing and fun for kids and families. Emporia’s PRIDE CELEBRATION includes a parade, drag show, and food and drink specials throughout the day.

Life in the Flint Hills

FLINT HILLS BEEF FEST is a celebration of the grass cattle industry for which the Flint Hills region of Kansas is known. Several contests involving cattle are designed to showcase the quality and economic competitiveness of Flint Hills Cattle.

Honoring Heroes

Emporia is the official founding city of Veterans Day. In 1953, Emporia celebrated the first Veterans Day a year before congress made it a National Holiday in 1954. Today, Emporia is known for its multi-day ALL VETERANS TRIBUTE CELEBRATION annually in November. Festivities include a Veterans Day Parade, Freedom Fest, Veteran Artists Exhibition, Quilts of Gratitude, and a Memorial Service to honor all veterans. Also during the month of November, take a walk downtown to see the annual VETERANS BANNER DISPLAY, a project led by the Emporia Main Street organization. Over 270 banners are displayed along Commercial Street and ESU Campus honoring veterans.