Welcome to the Kansas Sampler Festival!
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infield is proud to be the host of the 27th Annual Kansas Sampler Festival. We are thrilled to be the “stage” on which the rest of the state can perform. There is no other event like this one. Enjoy the festival and discover all you can see, do, hear, taste, buy and learn in our great state!
Here are a few of the things you won’t want to miss at this year’s event:
22 Kansas musicians and entertainers –Since Winfield is well-known for its musical heritage, we decided to add a third stage to this year’s Kansas Sampler Festival. Just about every kind of music you can think of will be performed at this year’s festival: bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock, blues, and country. And there is more than just music! Bring a lawn chair, and sit for a spell, enjoying the great entertainment on the three stages. Kansas Winery and Microbrewery Tent– A popular stop at the Kansas Sampler Festival, sample wine, beer, and spirits provided by Kansas wineries, microbreweries and distilleries. Bottles of wine will be available for purchase to take home and enjoy. Paradise Ranch Pack Goats– Hailing from Council Grove – and a personal favorite of mine these friendly pack goats are popular with kids and adults alike! While near the pack goats, be sure to say hello to the gentle giants, the Mammoth Donkeys. Ham Balls– You are probably asking, “What in the heck is a ham ball?” Just one of the delicious and unique delicacies you will find from one of the 22 food vendors participating in this year’s festival. No funnel cakes and onion blossoms here, but you WILL find amazing and unique Kansas foods. You will find ham balls at R&M’s Smokin’ Meat Wagon. Strada by Luciano’s– Speaking of food, I should mention
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that Luciano, who owns and operates a highly popular restaurant in Mulvane, will be at the festival on Saturday serving delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Tourism tents– Each year, regional tourism groups get their creative juices flowing and come up with amazing things to delight and entertain visitors. Many tents will have a “theme” that begins at the entrance and continues throughout. Take time to enjoy the efforts put into these designs. Barn quilts– Winfield is a part of the Cowley County Barn quilt trail, and the larger Flint Hills Quilt Trail. To enhance the festival, the Cowley County Tourism Alliance has created barn quilts in this year’s festival colors that are up throughout the park for your enjoyment. Gun fighters and historic performers–The historic performers are a hit each year at the Kansas Sampler Festival. Hear the stories of Calamity Jane, Doc Holliday, and Amelia Earhart, among others. This year, the Old Abilene Town Gunfighters will also be at the festival, which is sure to draw a crowd. While I have to stop this list somewhere, the fact is that every vendor, exhibitor and performer participating in this event is of the highest caliber and selected to make this a highly enjoyable festival! There is enough to do at the Kansas Sampler Festival to easily keep a person busy for two full days. Plan to come and enjoy – and then get out in the state of Kansas and explore! Sarah Werner KE # 5618 2016 Kansas Sampler Festival Director