Manhaan PUBLISHED BY THE MANHATTAN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
April 2018
Mark your calendars for Wine in the Wild
While 60 days remain until the long-adored Wine in the Wild event June 2 at Sunset Zoo, ticket sales begin in just four weeks (April 30). General admission to the event begins at 7 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. start for the VIP reception with premium wines and gourmet food selections. Both entry levels accommodate musical entertainment with ample wine and food stations. Wine in the Wild is an anticipated event each spring, and a Friends of the Sunset Zoo fundraiser. Get information on ticket purchases and more at Sunsetzoo.com/Wine.
TOURISM TOPICS
CELEBRATE JOHNNY AS HE TURNS 52! Come out to City Park and join in the May 10 birthday celebration for Johnny Kaw
Our Kansas-born-and-bred hero led quite the cavalier existence long before he was immortalized on the southeast corner of City Park. We really only got around to counting the blonde-haired giant’s birthdays once our towering 25-foot statue was constructed. For a long time though, this Kawesome fella bullied tornadoes and got the better of that oafish Minnesotan by the name of Paul Bunyan, ya know, back in the early days. Anyway, Johnny’s “official” 52nd birthday party, the one that commemorates his mighty appearance on the corner of Poyntz and 11th Street, is fast approaching. We’ll mark the occasion with a May 10 city-wide party, along with a special observance to mark National Tourism Week. Johnny’s a big deal in these parts, and for good reason. Johnny’s legendary. Johnny’s the man! The “Friends of Johnny Kaw” are eager to accept many more members for Johnny’s very own, exclusive fan club. Proceeds from the $5 club
membership go to improve the grounds around the statue and give soon-to-be 52-year-old Johnny a needed, midlife facelift. For $15, you’re a club member and receive your very own Johnny Kaw Bobblehead. Now there’s a tall tale worth bragging about! We’ll even have a fun run around City Park as part of the May 10 celebration! Follow our Visit Manhattan KS social media pages and find more info at VisitManhattanKS.org. Johnny Kaw is a legend worth celebrating, and we’ll cut loose during May 10 events in City Park. • We encourage guests to Visit Manhattan as well as explore nearby cities like Wamego, Council Grove and Junction City. When you take a walk down the Yellow Brick Road to the Oz Museum, keep an eye out for Totos Around Town, great fun with art projects in Wamego. Did you know 40,000 guests visit the Oz Museum annually? Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, but you’ve got to be Oz-struck by those figures! • Near Junction City, Acorns Resort plays host April 27-28 to the Kansas Birding Festival during prime season for migrating birds. Later in the summer, Milford Lake hosts the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic tournament, Aug. 14-16. • Seth Fest, April 20-21 at Council Grove, celebrates Seth Hays with music festival/art show. Also, 50th National Trails System anniversary features President Truman’s visit to Madonna of the Trail and Flint Hills Geocachers as high lights of this two-day celebration.