Kickball Fever
The Kaw Valley Kickball League players gear up for 25 years
There’s zero chance you’ve missed the fanfare surrounding a certain global competition happening this summer: the FIFA World Cup. Working in magazine publishing, I’ve been hearing about the World Cup for the past year. It is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and this is only the second time the men’s tournament has come to the United States. The first was in 1994, and soccer has gained tremendous popularity in this country since then—so, yes. This is a Big Deal.
Out of 42 cities that vied to be one of the 16 host locations, Kansas City made the cut, which means teams are heading our way ahead of the matches. Lawrence will host the Algerian men’s soccer team—Rock Chalk is their official training base camp.
Players, staff, family and fans are traveling a long way to compete on this global stage, and we want to represent Lawrence well. Let’s show these international visitors some real hospitality, whether that’s offering helpful directions or flashing a friendly smile.
Turn to our calendar of events on page 45 to join the World Cup action. Lawrence is serving up plenty of soccer-related fun, from watch parties and live music to art exhibits. There’s something for everyone, whether you bleed soccer or don’t know a throw-in from a throw pillow.
Until recently, I fell into the second camp. While I’ve made progress, my knowledge of the sport begins and ends with watching my 10-year-old daughter crush it as goalie at the Youth Sports Complex on Saturday mornings. But that’s the beauty of this event—you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy the fanfare.
All this World Cup preparation got me thinking about our little corner of the world and how sports can connect us with our neighbors. For nearly 25 years, Lawrence has shaped a community around a game that grade-school children adore. Turn to page 38, where our resident sports writer, David Garfield, talks with players from the Kaw Valley Kickball League about why they love this playground favorite and its role in supporting our community.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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Rochelle Valverde Darin M. White
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Community isn’t just built on the pitch. Although the World Cup is bringing the world to Lawrence, the world already lives here. In the following pages, you’ll also meet a few Lawrence residents who came here from other countries and whose stories remind us that diversity is a strength. Sometimes the best way to understand our corner of the world is to see it through someone else’s eyes.
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features smorgasbord
32 Art in the Margins
You’ve seen their work a hundred times—you just didn’t know it. Meet the artists who helped shape the town’s identity.
38 The Lawrence Cup
While the world watches soccer in Kansas City, Lawrence cheers on its own Kaw Valley Kickball League
8 The Wait Is Over
A new venue gives country music a live home, and a longstanding band releases new music
12 Swift & Strong
Two local authors celebrate the unmatched power of women
18 The Future Is Bold Javy Ortiz turns history—his own and others’—into vivid works of art
23 Lawrencium Summer Reading Challenge people
24 Tradition, Served Hot Los Guapos distinguishes itself with cheerful décor and heritage flavors places
28 What the History Books Left Out
You’ve heard of Plymouth Rock, but how about St. Augustine, Florida?
Lindsey Deiter (left), Seth Sanchez and Mookie Carter play a game of kickball at Hobbs Park. Photograph by Nick Krug
The Wait Is Over
A longstanding band releases new music and a new venue gives country music a live home
Return of Christena Graves Band
Five years have passed since Lawrence singersongwriter Christena Graves released her solo album, Finding My Footing. Although she has played shows regularly since, both as a solo artist and with her eponymous band, that’s quite a wait for new recordings in an era of instant-gratification streaming. But recent developments have led her back into the studio with her band to record their first group album. Graves says she is excited to release new music this summer.
“I probably have about two or three albums’ worth of songs,” Christena says. “We’ve been playing some of them [live], but it was time [to release new music].”
On top of the backlog of new material, a deadline pushed the band to get something recorded. Bassist Yarrow Harvey is selling his home, which houses the recording studio the band used for their last three singles.
“That was a good way for us to have to get in and get it done,” she says.
Christena Graves Band EP, but once the group got into the swing of things, the plans changed.
“Let’s do a couple more and release a couple more,” was their thought process throughout the experience, Brandon explains. He produced the album, and Harvey engineered everything. Together, they tracked the songs and made all the decisions in real time.
“This record actually sounds way more like the band than anything we’ve done before,” Brandon says.
“We talked about what our vision for it was. And now, it’s just beautiful. It ended up being beautiful.” –christena graves –
“We knew we wanted to do a record, but we had to squeeze it in before May,” explains Brandon Graves, Christena’s husband and the band’s drummer. “We got in and [recorded] six or seven weekends in a row, back to back, and tracked eight songs.”
Some of those songs are ones the band already plays live and eagerly wanted to record. Initially, the band planned to make the forthcoming release a
Part of that is thanks to Brandon, Harvey and guitarist John Flynn, who all played live in the same room at the same time. The other part comes from the band’s ability to recognize when something needs to change musically, as with “Sliver Moon.”
“We knew it needed to be overhauled,” Christena says, explaining that the song never felt like it settled into what it needed to be. Brandon describes the feeling as “What if the Christena Graves Band tried to do a Killers vibe?” and adds that the song always felt too frantic in a live setting. Christena had always wondered what would happen if the band slowed it down, so they went into the studio and did just that.
“We turned it into an Americana tune and added more of a train beat vibe, then put the verse changes at the front, wrote a guitar lead line and just did the
OPPOSITE Christena Graves is eager to release new music with her band this summer.
work. It changed the song significantly,” Brandon explains. “I think it’s going to be the first single.”
Christena and her bandmates have played together for so long that she trusts their musical instincts. For another song with the working title “Be Someone,” she remembers playing it fresh for the band and working with everyone to improve it.
“We talked about what our vision for it was,” Christena says. “And now, it’s just beautiful. It ended up being beautiful.”
While you may have to wait a bit for their yet-untitled album to come out later this year, the couple thinks it will be well worth it.
“I’m looking forward to having six months to talk about the album,” Brandon says. “We’re going to wait until it gets mixed, and then we’re going to sit and listen. I’m excited to drag it out.”
Live From the Stag
After Black Stag, 623 Massachusetts Street, closed in October 2025, it underwent a makeover and new ownership and reemerged as The Stag on New Year’s Eve. The core of this downtown brewpub remains unchanged. The team still brews its own beer and serves great food. But now, thanks to new general manager Raul Fierro, the pub has added a focus on live country music “with just the right amount of heat,” according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
When Fierro looked at Lawrence’s bar scene, he felt like something was missing. Years had passed since country bars like Cadillac Ranch or Coyote packed dance floors with line dancers, and Fierro missed that kind of atmosphere. Hailing from Texas, he wanted to create a similar honky-tonk warmth at The Stag.
“It’s more of a culture down there,” he says about his hometown. “I’m not saying Texas is all country, but you get a lot of that aspect down there, and it was something I felt was missing here. It’s awesome to see that I’m a part of something that should have been here long ago.”
Best of all, the building already had a built-in stage, perfect for live music.
The Stag keeps an open mind about what music gets played. The bar does not have a “No ‘Wagon Wheel’” rule—that is, no ban on the song made popular by Darius Rucker, the country music equivalent of “Free Bird.”
“If you want to hear it, we’ll play it for you,” Fierro says. “Country’s country. If you like country—and it doesn’t matter what type of country it is—we’ll play it just so long as it fits the time to play it.”
Fierro intentionally schedules live music earlier in the evening. Younger crowds tend to come out later in the evening to hear country DJs spin tunes.
“Once it hits that 10 p.m. mark, it’s a complete change of scenery,” Fierro says.
Live sets feature a veritable who’s who of local talent, along with bigger names like The Voice contestant Dylan Gerard. So far, those who have played the stage have responded with nothing but enthusiasm. Lawrence country singer-songwriter Jenna Rae was excited to learn that Lawrence was getting a country bar.
“I’ve noticed cowboy hats and boots making a comeback, and I think there’s definitely a need for a country bar in Lawrence,” Rae says. “Country music gets people out on the dance floor. Whether it’s two-stepping or line dancing or slow dancing, there’s
“If you want to hear it, we’ll play it for you. Country’s country. If you like country— and it doesn’t matter what type of country it is—we’ll play it just so long as it fits the time to play it.”
–Raul Fierro –
an opportunity for connecting with each other. It’s something we all need.”
Fellow singer-songwriter Megan Luttrell agrees and appreciates The Stag’s diverse audience. The earliest parts of her last set, she says, draw crowds in their 50s and 60s. Halfway through, however, KU students in their 20s flood the floor.
“At first I thought, ‘I have nothing to offer these kids except a couple of Chappell Roan and Beyoncé songs,’” Luttrell adds. “I was pleasantly surprised to see that both crowds enjoyed the classic songs by Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash, as well as the newer tunes. It was great to be a part of an intergenerational appreciation for the music I love and the music I write.”
Fierro gets a charge out of knowing that The Stag is in a position to give people what they want—and maybe even something they didn’t know they needed. That includes the mechanical bull the bar now offers on weekends.
“If you haven’t been on it,” he grins, “you need to.”
Swift & Strong
Two local authors celebrate the unmatched power of women
Power of Women
Misty Heggeness still remembers when Taylor Swift’s music video for “The Man” came across her social media feed in 2019. She was working at the U.S. Census Bureau, and she immediately connected with the song’s lyrics: “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.”
She didn’t yet call herself a “Swiftie,” but this song sparked her curiosity. As Heggeness researched Taylor Swift’s career, she started thinking more about women and their economic impact—especially in maledominated fields like entertainment, music, economics and politics. That research inspired her first book, Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy (University of California Press, 2026).
“The concept is broader than all the economic power of one singer,” Heggeness says. “[Swift] is a perfect example of how women today lean into their own economic agency to push their careers forward and continue to build on their economic power, not only for themselves but also for the women around them.”
Heggeness’ favorite chapter opens the book. It describes the impact of 2023, hailed as “The Year of the Woman.” That year, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour sold out stadiums across the world. The U.S. Open women’s final drew more viewers than the men’s final and became the mostviewed women’s tennis final on ESPN. The University of
Nebraska hosted a sold-out women’s volleyball game in its football stadium, setting a U.S. record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s sporting event. And Barbie became the year’s highest-grossing film.
Heggeness also loved writing chapter 5, “Generations,” which explores the women throughout history who paved the way in male-dominated fields—women such as Madonna, Dolly Parton and Frances Perkins, who served as secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945.
Today, Heggeness works as an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration and an associate research scientist for the Institute for Policy and Social Research. She joined the University of Kansas in 2022 after earning a master’s in social work and public policy and a PhD in applied economics, both from the University of Minnesota. But she didn’t pursue these degrees to become a professor or a writer.
“I did it because I was really interested in solving big social problems and figuring out how to effectively evaluate programs,” she says.
During the pandemic, Heggeness worked for the federal government in Washington, D.C., where she analyzed data on women in the workforce and blogged about her findings. At the time, the government released labor force participation data by gender but not by parenthood status. Heggeness argued that ignoring caregiving realities in the data prevented us from understanding women’s work patterns, leading to unsupportive policies.
What is Misty Heggeness currently reading?
The God of theWoods by Liz Moore
Clara Bow: Runnin’Wild by David Stenn
Flashlight by Susan Choi
“The most wonderful part of our practice is when your family becomes part of ours.”
Heggeness enjoyed translating the data for a general audience and decided to write Swiftynomics.
Barbara Bichelmeyer, professor of educational leadership and policy studies and former provost and executive vice chancellor at KU, loved learning about the many inspiring women in Heggeness’ book, many of whom she knew very little.
“It made me feel even greater appreciation of our foremothers, more connected to current women leaders, and more hopeful for the future,” she says.
“Women alone aren’t going to solve gender inequalities. It has to be a joint effort. We need more men to read content like this and learn some of the driving factors influencing the way modern women live their lives.”
–Misty Heggeness –
Bichelmeyer moderated a book talk Heggeness gave in Kansas City, where she felt inspired by the audience’s responses. Older attendees affirmed Heggeness’ descriptions of their generation’s hard-won victories, she explains, while younger attendees shared their current concerns.
“Hearing their stories was a powerful reminder to me that everyone benefits when there are improvements in the relationships between women, money and power, and that we each have a part in advancing this work,” she adds.
Heggeness wrote this book with a variety of readers in mind, including young women preparing to enter predominantly male fields and moms like herself who feel “exhausted by the rat race and might need a boost of inspiration,” she says. She hopes men will also read it.
“Women alone aren’t going to solve gender inequalities. It has to be a joint effort,” she says. “We need more men to read content like this and learn some of the driving factors influencing the way modern women live their lives.”
–Lauren Kanan
Honoring Zora Hurston
When Giselle Anatol first read Zora Neale Hurston’s seminal novel Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), she found it unlike anything she had read before. Its Black female narrator, its distinct style and its unconventional plot have stayed with her.
Far from a traditional happily-ever-after, the novel follows Janie as she grows up and experiences three tumultuous
The Stuckey family
In her children’s series, writer Giselle Anatol pays tribute to the women authors who came before her.
marriages. Her grandmother chose her first husband for financial stability. But after a year of unhappiness, she makes a brave decision.
“She leaves him,” Anatol recalls. “Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, when divorce was not as common as it is now, I was like, ‘Oh my god, you could write about this?’ It was really different.”
This idea—that conventionality should not dictate who you are—lies at the heart of Anatol’s new picture book Small-Girl Zora and the Shower of Stories (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2026). The story follows an imaginative young Zora, who defies convention with her outlandish stories. When a terrible drought strikes her town, she devises a fantastical plan to tell tall tales until her listeners laugh so hard they cry.
incredible woman,” Figueroa says. “I hope that my illustrations spark the imagination and, at the very least, curiosity about who Zora was deep down—not only as a storyteller but as a person.”
In addition to her writing, Hurston worked as a trained anthropologist. She traveled throughout the Southern U.S. and the African diaspora. Widely recognized as the “Queen of the Harlem Renaissance,” she wrote short stories, plays, essays, ethnographies, nonfiction and an autobiography. She also incorporated Southern Black dialect and elements of Black folklore into her fiction.
Small-Girl Zora and the Shower of Stories is the second in Anatol’s tall tale series for young readers (and the adults who read to them) that introduces prominent Black authors by imagining them as children. In this story, Anatol pays tribute to Hurston through little Zora.
“Stories can change the world. They can spark imagination and solutions. They can connect people from different regions, nations, cultures and generations. They can keep us rooted in our history. They open up a universe of possibilities.”
Giselle Anatol
“It really is a celebration of Hurston’s imagination and the innovative spirit—as a writer, but also as a person,” Anatol says.
The first book in her series, Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023), drew inspiration from the life and works of Nobel Prize–winning author Toni Morrison. It describes a magical world where young Toni hopes to spin her stories into actual gold.
Raissa Figueroa illustrated both books. In SmallGirl Zora, she uses vivid colors to make the characters and scenery pop and oversized depictions of the sun and moon to shine brightly on Zora. Although she wasn’t familiar with Hurston’s work when she first joined the project, Figueroa sought to fully encompass Hurston’s legacy through her artwork.
“Once I learned more about her while doing research for the illustrations, I realized that I had to do justice to the words of this book and to this
Anatol first encountered Their Eyes Were Watching God as an undergraduate and soon found herself following a career path similar to that of this influential author. Originally pre-med, Anatol changed her major from biology to English and went on to study Black folklore. Today, she works as a professor of English at the University of Kansas and director of the Hall Center for the Humanities. Her research focuses on Caribbean and African American literature as well as children’s and young adult literature.
“I didn’t really think you could do that for academic study,” Anatol says. “[Hurston] was one of the people who showed me how it could work.”
Anatol says she appreciates how storytelling can ground different communities, and she hopes to encourage kids to tell more stories, no matter how outlandish.
“Stories can change the world,” she says. “They can spark imagination and solutions. They can connect people from different regions, nations, cultures and generations. They can keep us rooted in our history. They open up a universe of possibilities.”
Small-Girl Zora tells stories to make things grow in her town. Anatol hopes her book will teach all the small girls that something wild and wondrous might bloom within themselves.
–Rochelle
Valverde
What is Giselle Anatol currently reading?
The House of BrokenAngels
by Luis Alberto Urrea
LikeaLoveStory
by Abdi Nazemian
DeadDeadGirls
by Nekesa Afia
For inspiring us to deliver more comprehensive heart care. Robin Goff was walking through the hospital lobby when she began to feel a little off. One of our volunteers suspected Robin might be having a heart attack and got her to the emergency department just in time. From there, the LMH Health Heart Center’s board-certified cardiologists performed a procedure that saved her life.
STORY BY Darin M. White
BY Jason Dailey
When you encounter the painting titled THUNDR$TRM, you come face-to-face with vibrant colors that seem to pulse. Bold geometric shapes reminiscent of dramatic lightning bolts dominate the canvas, dancing across the foreground and covering portions of the spray paint drips, palette-knife scumbles and multidirectional brush marks in the night sky’s dark blues and purples. The painting floats in a natural-wood frame mount that has been painted to blend into the work itself.
Welcome to the world of Javy Ortiz.
The Future Is Bold
Javy Ortiz turns history—his own and others’—into vivid works of art
and approach art on his own terms. He moved to Lawrence and quickly got to know the local art scene, surrounding himself with inspirational artists and experienced mentors. He credits SeedCo Studios, a community-focused art hub in the Warehouse Arts District, with helping him shape his artistic identity.
ABOVE Artist Javy Ortiz channels the feeling of street art through bold color and geometric lines.
OPPOSITE Ortiz recently completed a public mural honoring La Yarda and is now working on a soccerinspired structure for the Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition.
Ortiz was born in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and grew up in Macksville, a small city in Stafford County. His family was full of creative minds, but his passion for art truly began to take shape in high school. His art teacher pushed him and gave him the space to experiment beyond the curriculum.
“That experience gave me a lot of confidence and helped me start taking art more seriously,” Ortiz says. “I was lucky to grow up in a supportive environment full of creatives.”
After a brief stint studying graphic design at community college, Ortiz decided to change direction
In the early days, he experimented with different mediums, techniques and styles, working with whatever materials he could get his hands on. He describes his early process as “messy and wasteful.” Today, he is known for bold color, layered texture and technical precision. He continues to experiment but approaches his art with intention, sketching out his ideas first. He focuses on working with limited materials, usually acrylic and spray paint on wood panels.
“I also love using tape—lots and lots of Frog [Painters] Tape,” he explains. “Over the past 10 years, my work has changed a lot. I’ve tried a little bit of everything, but I’ve landed on a few things that really stuck with me, like using bold color and sharp geometric line work to keep everything feeling connected.”
Recently, Ortiz was selected as the lead artist for a public art installation honoring La Yarda, a
historic housing community that from 1920 to 1951 housed Mexican American railroad workers and their families. Ortiz, who was born in Mexico, just south of El Paso, Texas, and whose parents are from Durango, Mexico, felt a deep connection to the project.
“I think a lot about the sacrifices my people made that allow me to do what I do today,” he says. “My Mexican culture plays a big role in my work, especially in my use of color and geometric forms. It’s one of the ways I stay connected to my roots and express that part of who I am.”
The mural was installed in September 2025 along the Lawrence Loop trail at Eighth and Delaware streets. Ortiz based his six panels on the photos and belongings he collected, as well as the stories he heard from former residents during his interviews.
“Hearing the pride and emotion in those stories pushed me to be more personal in what I created,” he says. “Projects like the La Yarda mural have shown me how powerful it can be to tell stories and honor community experiences. That encourages me to
explore my own experiences, share them with others and leave something meaningful behind.”
The La Yarda mural project is one he is incredibly proud of—and one he believes marks a turning point in his career. He is using this positive momentum to finish a colorful, soccer-inspired structure for the Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition. It will be on display, most likely on Mass. Street, for the next year.
Other changes are on the horizon for Ortiz, as he and his wife are expecting their first child at the end of the summer. His last big project may have focused on the past, but his next, a series titled HRTGE, will look toward the future and explore the idea of personal history.
“[My wife and I] have been talking through what kind of parents we want to be, and I’ve found myself reflecting a lot on how I was raised,” Ortiz says. “That’s been a big source of inspiration. I want to create work that captures those memories and experiences, something I can share not just with my audience, but eventually with my son, too.”
ABOVE Ortiz’s Mexican roots shape his art, which keeps him connected to his culture.
Summer Reading Challenge Lawrencium
For years, the Lawrence Public Library has hosted an annual summer reading program, but its importance goes far beyond simple summer distraction.
The “summer slide” is a very real phenomenon in which students lose critical math and reading comprehension skills during extended breaks from school. Research from the Brookings Institution shows that students can lose one to two months of reading progress over a typical summer vacation. Programs like the LPL’s Summer Reading Challenge help students keep reading all summer long. Thanks to local business partners—and fun prizes—Lawrence readers have that extra motivation to follow their curiosity and find books they’ll love.
This year’s theme, “Read, Score, Roar,” is a creative twist on the national theme “Unearth a Story,” blending dinosaurs with soccer to celebrate the FIFA World Cup’s arrival in Kansas this summer.
This was the first year the Lawrence Public Library offered a “vacation reading program,” although it’s unclear whether the library offered one every year after.
2026 prize partners
Twelve
4,344 TEENS 668 KIDS
1,545 2025 participants
2,131 2025’s raffle prizes value $935 ADULTS $61 What did they win? TEENS $56 KIDS $36
This year’s prize partners include the LPL Friends and Foundation, Royal Crest Lanes, Brits, Wonder Fair, IHOP, Uplift Coffee, Bluestem Yoga, Raven Book Store, Cottin’s Hardware, Culver’s, River Rat Skate Shop and Raising Cane’s
2025 prize value, per reader
2026 adult raffle grand prizes
Raven Book Store gift cards valued at $100, $50 and $25
2026 teen raffle grand prizes
Wonder Fair art prize pack, $100 gift card to the Raven Book Store, skateboard from River Rat Skate Shop and a Nintendo Switch Lite
Each adult/teen who completes the summer reading is entered into the grand prize raffle for their age group Books read in 2025 43,885 On average, that’s 10 books for every participant! ADULTS
Tradition, Served Hot
Los Guapos distinguishes itself with cheerful décor and heritage flavors
STORY BY Nick Spacek PHOTOGRAPHY BY Nick Krug
Flashing multicolored lights beckon passing vehicles to stop in and see what the fuss is about at Los Guapos Latin Food, 1500 W. 6th St. Inside, the space is more chockablock with colored lights and decorations, which further delight the senses when paired with cheerful music streaming from the speakers.
Despite the bright and vibrant visual displays, the real joy begins when the food hits the table. Los Guapos offers the usual array of enchiladas, street tacos and burritos, but the authentic Latin dishes from co-owners Lourdes Perez Rojo and Victor Roman are what make this nearly two-year-old restaurant shine.
“Latinos often feel compelled to blend in with one another, but [with this restaurant], I challenged myself to create something truly unique. After all, we possess some of the world’s finest culinary traditions.”
“When we decided to open [Los Guapos], we said it had to be different,” Roman says. “I’m from Guatemala, she’s from Mexico; we didn’t want the same menu that everyone else in Lawrence offers.”
The menu features an expansive selection of dishes that showcase both Perez Rojo’s and Roman’s culinary traditions, including carnes en su jugo estilo Jalisco, a savory stew of steak, bacon and beans tossed with green salsa; cecina tacos, filled with deepfried, thinly sliced steak with lime and topped with fried cactus strips; pollo en carnitas, a chicken dish prepared using the same slow-cooking method as carnitas; and enchiladas michoacanas, in which the tortillas are fried directly on the griddle with mole sauce rather than pouring it over top.
–Lourdes
Perez Rojo
Other dishes, such as pasta carbonara and sweet-andspicy shrimp, draw on the owners’ combined restaurant experience, reflecting Asian and Italian influences with a Mexican twist.
For Perez Rojo, Los Guapos’ tortas and soup best represent her childhood.
“Whenever I went to school, my mom would prepare delicious tortas for me,” she recalls. “Our Mexican soup reminds me of my grandmothers. Whenever I fell ill, they would whip some up, prepared with macaroni and vegetables in a tomato-based broth. Their secret ingredient was the love they poured into that soup.”
Everything at Los Guapos is made from scratch. Perez Rojo’s mother—along with a dedicated crew— spends six days a week in the kitchen prepping the
During the production of this issue, we were deeply saddened to learn that Victor Roman had been detained by federal immigration authorities in Kansas City. By the time this issue went to press, he had been deported and is now in Guatemala. If you would like to support Roman, his partner, Lourdes Perez Rojo, her young children and Roman’s two sons, please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe page. Before this issue went to press, the campaign had raised $19,135. gofundme.com/f/support-victor-los-guapos-family
ABOVE Los Guapos
Latin Food blends the Guatemalan and Mexican heritages of owners
Victor Roman (left) and Lourdes Perez Rojo.
OPPOSITE The pasta carbonara draws on the owners’ combined restaurant experience, reflecting Italian influences with a Mexican twist.
salsas, mole sauces, potatoes and more. Even the décor is made from scratch.
“Every single thing you see here, we put up ourselves,” Roman explains. He points to the lights made from wagon wheels hanging at the entrance and notes that they were rescued from the fire that destroyed Perez Rojo’s previous restaurant. He also gestures to the sparkling gold branches that decorate the party room wall.
“One day, a big branch fell,” Roman explains. “[Perez Rojo] said, ‘Can you pick up those branches? We’re gonna paint them.’”
“I’m crazy,” Perez Rojo laughs. “This is my hobby.”
Craziness certainly surrounded Los Guapos’ grand opening. For nearly a year, Perez Rojo and Roman worked every day to transform the building into the vibrant space it is now. The process came with challenges. Some nights, they even slept there. But thanks to many kind folks, including one incredible plumber, they made it happen.
“When [Perez Rojo] called the [plumbing] company to turn the water on, it started coming out of the walls,” Roman remembers, shaking his head.
The winter freeze had broken 39 water lines. After their plumber, Lenny, checked the lines, he shared his concerns about the work that lay ahead.
“We were under snow, it was cold, and we were
freezing in here,” Roman adds. “Lenny said, ‘I can stay if you help me, because this is gonna take months.’”
The two men worked side by side until the repairs were finished. In honor of Lenny, the Los Guapos menu features Fajitas Lenny, a dish with steak, al pastor, bacon, ham and mozzarella.
“We created it because he is a beautiful person,” Roman says.
Perez Rojo and Roman opened Los Guapos in September 2024, nearly a year after a fire destroyed Cielito Lindo, the restaurant Perez Rojo inherited from her late husband. Perez Rojo also owns Lulu’s Latin Food in west Lawrence, which she opened in 2023 after finding success during the pandemic selling homemade meals.
“I want the Lawrence community to realize that our culture is more than sombreros, tacos, burritos and tequila,” Perez Rojo explains. “Latinos often feel compelled to blend in with one another, but [with this restaurant], I challenged myself to create something truly unique. After all, we possess some of the world’s finest culinary traditions.”
Despite Los Guapos’ continued success more than a year after opening, Perez Rojo and Roman haven’t stopped looking for ways to improve. The duo hopes to open a Los Guapos drive-through with a special to-go menu of tacos, hamburgers and hot dogs. They also hope to create a rooftop patio someday.
“We’re not going to stop,” Roman says. “We are always going to have something new for people to enjoy.”
They both want Los Guapos to be a warm and welcoming space.
“At other restaurants, people often sit and get out their phones and don’t even speak with each other,” Roman says. “Here, people are having so much fun. We celebrate every single birthday. We make so much noise. We want people happy.”
ABOVE Los Guapos is praised for its large portions. Standout dishes include the sweet and spicy shrimp appetizer (right) and the massive arrachera plate, a steak filet served here with bacon-wrapped jalapeños.
Quesa Birria
This birria dish is the most popular item on Los Guapos’ menu, says co-owner Lourdes Perez Rojo. “I’ve had these recipes memorized since I was little, having learned them from both grandmothers and my mom,” she adds. Makes 4 servings.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound beef skirt steak, cut into medium-size chunks
• 1 pound beef chuck or lean beef, cut into medium-size chunks
• 2 ounces white vinegar
• ½ pound red tomatoes
• ½ onion, roughly chopped
• 1 (2-centimeter) piece of ginger
• 10 bay leaves
• 5 whole black peppercorns
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 ounces beef bouillon powder
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 20 California dried chiles, seeded
• ¼ cup oil
• Corn tortillas
• Mozzarella and chopped cilantro and onion
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pot, add the first 11 ingredients with just enough water to cover the meat and vegetables. Cook on the stovetop over low heat for 4 hours.
2. Check the meat every 2 hours, as some stoves cook differently and may require less time. You may also need to add more water if too much evaporates.
3. In a separate pot, add California chiles with a little bit of water and cook for 30 minutes. Let cool completely and set aside.
4. When the meat has finished cooking, carefully remove it from the pot and set aside.
5. Blend the cooked vegetables with the cooked chiles and thoroughly strain the mixture before returning the resulting sauce back with the meat.
6. Add oil to the pot and let boil for 5 minutes. Once the meat has finished cooking, some of the oil will have turned red and risen to the surface. Skim off this extra oil and use it to color tortillas, if desired. Shred meat and save broth to serve as a consommé, if desired.
7. Add meat to warmed tortillas. Top with mozzarella, cilantro and onion, and serve.
EVERY THING IS UNDER
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ABOVE Anastasia State Park Beach in St. Augustine, Florida, spans 1,600 acres of tranquil coastline.
PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Adobe Stock(2)/researchdiva, Jo
What the History Books Left Out
You’ve heard of Plymouth Rock, but how about St. Augustine, Florida?
One of the many things I love about travel is when my Anglo, middle-class version of history gets challenged. It invariably makes me question everything I’ve been taught, and whether it, too, is incorrect, distorted or just one slice of a much larger pie. That’s exactly what happened on a recent trip, when I learned that the first Thanksgiving may have actually taken place in Florida—55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous U.S. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, who was sent to America to wipe out a French Protestant settlement and claim the land for Spain. Upon arrival, Spanish forces shared a meal with the Timucua people (specifically the Seloy tribe) and held a Mass of Thanksgiving.
Today, St. Augustine is an enticing blend of European charm and coastal vibes, rich in history, architecture, art, music, culture and cuisine. The walkable downtown area has an Old World presence, anchored by the two magnificent buildings that serve as the district’s grand gateway: Flagler College and the Lightner Museum. Railroad tycoon Henry Flagler commissioned these structures in the late 19th century, seeking to turn the city into a premier destination for travelers.
These and other historic, architecturally diverse buildings make downtown St. Augustine’s skyline unique. There are no high-rise hotels or condos. No skyscrapers. Nothing to block that breathtaking view. So where should new travelers begin their tour of St. Augustine?
Start at the Forts
The Spanish built several fortresses in St. Augustine to defend their claims in the New World. Visitors should begin their tour at the city’s
impenetrable heart: Castillo de San Marcos. Built between 1672 and 1695, it remains the oldest masonry fortress in the continental U.S. Builders used coquina, a rock composed almost entirely of seashells that made it virtually indestructible in battle. Today, the National Park Service manages this must-see attraction. Kids love seeing the original 18th-century cannons, watching artillery demonstrations (bring hearing protection!) and earning Junior Ranger badges.
Fort Matanzas, which sits alone on Rattlesnake Island, once guarded St. Augustine’s southern approach at the Matanzas Inlet. Again using coquina, the Spanish built it between 1740 and 1742. Visitors can follow the nature trails to explore the surrounding park’s salt marsh and its maritime forest or “hammock.” A free ferry operated by the National Park Service provides the island’s only access. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.
Fort Mose Historic State Park was the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement. Established in 1738, it granted sanctuary to enslaved people escaping the British colonies. The only condition: pledge loyalty to the Spanish crown and convert to Catholicism. The men of Fort Mose served as the front line of defense, protecting the city’s northern border from British invasion. Stop by its visitors center to learn more about this part of Black history.
At each fort, I learned stories I’d never been taught before: Castillo de San Marcos imprisoned Seminole people during the 19th-century Seminole Wars. Fort Matanzas—Spanish for “slaughter”—got its name because the Spanish killed hundreds of French Protestants there in 1565. And Fort Mose marked the original endpoint of an Underground Railroad that led enslaved people south rather than north.
Once you’ve immersed yourself in the area’s history, it’s time to unwind.
Stay for the Sand
St. Augustine boasts 42 miles of beaches. Begin at family-oriented St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island. With 4 miles of soft, white sand, this beach offers plenty of room for swimming and surfing. Don’t miss the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier for its volleyball courts and a splash pad. The surrounding area is very walkable with several beachfront restaurants and hotels.
On the island’s northern end, Anastasia State Park protects miles of pristine white quartz sand beaches and dunes across its 1,600 acres. This quiet area offers a stark contrast to lively St. Augustine Beach, with plenty of spots to camp, hike and watch for osprey and eagles.
North of the historic downtown area, Vilano Beach has a retro aesthetic with several nearby restaurants and bars. It is also one of the best spots to hunt for seashells and fossilized shark teeth—bring water shoes. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express along this beach. The hotel is relatively new with fabulous breakfasts, superb staff and huge balconies. Best perk: the staff provides guests wagons, umbrellas, beach chairs and sand toys.
Travel 20 minutes south to Crescent Beach on Anastasia Island to escape the crowds. Its hard-packed sand makes it perfect for families and quiet strolls. The beach features clear water, softer waves, public restrooms, boardwalk access and a picnic area.
Butler Beach, also on Anastasia Island, is arguably the most historically significant beach in the area. In 1927, when most beaches restricted use to white people only, a Black businessman bought this land and made it a safe place for African Americans to swim
My Favorite Attractions
LIGHTNER MUSEUM
In 1946, magazine publisher and collector Otto Lightner purchased the Hotel Alcazar to house his vast collections. Today, the museum displays European and American paintings, Tiffany lamps, antique bicycles, mechanical Victorian musical instruments and sculptures. There’s no single theme, but everything captivates.
FLAGLER COLLEGE
This private institution, once the lavish resort known as Hotel Ponce de León, is a Gilded Age delight that offers guided tours. Its dining hall took my breath away with its Tiffany stained glass, arched ceilings, beautiful wooden walls and furniture. It resembles the Great Hall from Hogwarts, only better.
and vacation. Today, this beach offers wide stretches of white sand beaches along with public restrooms, outdoor showers, covered picnic pavilions and boardwalk access.
Takeaway
Don’t try to do too much during your visit to St. Augustine, especially if you are there during the summer heat and humidity. Slow down. Feel the ocean air. Walk the beaches. Dive into the waves. Watch the tides ebb. Savor the sunsets instead of snapping photos. Explore what interests you the most. The rest can wait.
I barely scratched the surface of St. Augustine, Florida. Here are a few of the places I enjoyed visiting the most. For more ideas, head to visitstaugustine.com.
ST. GEORGE STREET
(and surrounding neighborhood)
This lively pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of St. Augustine’s National Historic Landmark District is known for its 16th–19thcentury Spanish colonial architecture, brick-paved streets and plentiful shops and restaurants. You’ll want to visit the oldest wooden schoolhouse, oldest store museum, old jail and the city gate.
ST. PHOTIOS GREEK ORTHODOX NATIONAL SHRINE
This shrine, close to the historic city gates at St. George Street, belongs to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Don’t miss the St. Photios Chapel and its murals, frescoes, detailed mosaics, icons, domes, saints and altars.
LINCOLNVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT
This 45-block neighborhood was founded in 1866 by newly freed people of West African descent, and it became a vibrant residential and business hub. The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, where you can explore more than 450 years of Black history, is a must-see, and you’ll discover the neighborhood’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. AUGUSTINE
The oldest Christian parish in the contiguous U.S. calls this cathedral home, with roots dating back to the 1500s. The current structure, completed in 1797, features stainedglass windows, hand-carved statues, murals and exterior walls made from coquina.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON DAILEY
Art
Margins in the
YOU’VE SEEN THEIR WORK A HUNDRED TIMES—YOU JUST DIDN’T KNOW IT. MEET THE ARTISTS WHO HELPED SHAPE THE TOWN’S IDENTITY.
Creative expression is at the heart of what it is to be human. It’s that impulse to leave a mark and to shape raw material into meaning.
But what role does creativity play in a community?
Creativity gives a community a voice. Some voices are loud, some are subtle, and others are deeply personal. But together, they say who we are and what we value.
Lawrence is lucky to have a vibrant community of artists and others who value creative expression. The following three artists keep their noses to the grindstone, quietly working behind the scenes. It is likely that you’ve seen their work without knowing it—in the murals that color your morning errands, the handrail you grip without thinking or the ink on your neighbor’s forearm. Here we take a look at their creative expression and the voice they give to the Lawrence community.
A Bit of Whimsy
In Kent Smith’s world, public art is an act of care.
“My art carries light to gray days,” he says. “I’m trying to create moments of joy, hope, magic and relief in people’s everyday lives.”
“I love hiding stories in the work … things you don’t see at first,” he explains. “The longer you look, the more it reveals.”
To find Smith’s work, visit the new Dillons on University of Kansas’ west campus. Peppered with images of familiar landmarks and symbols of the Sunflower State, his new indoor mural is a visual love letter to Lawrence.
Smith is an illustrator and designer whose work can be found almost anywhere in Lawrence. His whimsical designs center on themes of storytelling and the unexpected.
But Lawrence is more than just a backdrop for his work; it’s an active collaborator, shaping its playfulness and wonder. Smith goes so far as to hide Kansas-related “Easter eggs”—layered symbolism and quiet tributes in much of his art. Kansas is even embedded in his initials, K.S.
Smith also designed many of the bright and quirky labels on Free State Beer. His Ad Astra Amber Ale label features a vibrant orange-and-red hot air balloon soaring among the stars, a nod to Kansas’ state motto. His work has even appeared on posters for music festivals and the annual Free State Festival.
Smith constantly pushes his own creative boundaries. He teaches in the design department at KU and works with various community organizations such as Lawrence Arts Center, VanGo and Lawrence Percolator. He cherishes the frequent “Oh, you made that?” remarks as well as the photographs people send him posing with their dogs and a Free State Oatmeal Stout. These moments of recognition open the door to conversation and allow his work to take on its fullest form: not as personal expression alone, but as a shared experience that helps draw people together.
Ironing Out the Details
Walt Hull is a blacksmith who forges what he calls “ornamental architectural ironwork.” The visual character of a community is shaped by people like Hull—builders, tradespeople and artisans. But he resists calling much of his work “art,” preferring the term “craft” instead. He draws a clear distinction: Art carries content beyond function, asking you to rethink what you know.
“Art is about something outside of its initial purpose—it has content,” Hull says. “It should make you see things differently.”
Ironwork, however, lives at the intersection of function and art, right where responsibility meets instinct. Railings, gates and outdoor dining structures all must be safe, durable and useful, but they also carry an aesthetic shaped by decades of metalworking and an innate sensitivity to form.
Hull’s influence is woven into the city. He first came to Lawrence in 1959, but it wasn’t until the early ’80s that he began working with steel and, in doing so, pioneered the city’s outdoor dining scene. Today, his ironwork can be found all along Massachusetts Street—at Merchants Pub & Plate, Papa Keno’s, Roost, Bourgeois Pig—where outdoor dining areas and ornamental handrails define the streetscape.
Once installed, this type of work belongs fully to the public (or at least to a building’s owner). It can be altered, painted or torn down, its fate lying beyond the maker’s control. But that doesn’t bother Hull. For him, recognition is about practicality. Blacksmith customers only need to know who made the work. Over time, the right customers tend to find you.
“If I make something that feels right to me, it’ll work for somebody else, too,” he says. “People like to be around objects that make them feel good.”
Etched in Ink
Carlos Ransom never set out to serve the broader community through his work at Abraxas Tattoo. Instead, he turns his attention to one person at a time, focusing on personal transformation and helping clients reclaim ownership of their bodies, their dignity and their self-image.
Specializing in ornamental illustrations and heavy blackwork, he uses his art to help people feel at home in their skin and to cover scars left by physical, psychological and spiritual trauma. Piece by piece, those intimate effects accumulate within the community.
“If I can change how someone feels in their own skin— help them take their body back—that’s everything,” he says. “If I can change three to five lives a week, that’s huge.”
Although Hull’s practice doesn’t lend itself to overt statements, it reflects a lifelong belief in showing up, working with care, and trusting that if something feels right, it will resonate with the community.
Most recently, Ransom remembers helping a client cover her mastectomy scars. It was an emotional time in her life: she had just received a cancer diagnosis, undergone a mastectomy, and then experienced a failed breast reconstruction that had to be removed. Ransom’s work was more than beautiful artwork; it became her shield of armor.
Ransom began his tattoo work in 1994 when he was a skateboarder who lived in Missouri and enjoyed listening to punk, metal and hip-hop. In
the late ’90s, he was drawn to Lawrence’s punk scene—it was a place where being oneself wasn’t seen as a liability but an asset. Because the people in Lawrence seemed open to custom work, experimentation and authenticity, Ransom decided it was the perfect place to turn his dreams into reality.
After spending years mastering a wide range of styles and honing his craft by working in walk-in street shops, he opened his private studio, Abraxas Tattoo, in 2012. Tattooing is one of humanity’s oldest art forms, yet mastering it requires skill and determination.
“Tattooing is one of the most difficult art forms to master,” he says. “It’s permanent, it’s personal, and there’s so much more to it than people realize.”
Today, Ransom connects Lawrence residents in unexpected ways. Often it can feel like there is only one degree of separation between you and someone who wears his work. He has helped thousands of individuals share their stories of identity, belonging and survival.
Story by David Garfield
Krug
While the world watches soccer in Kansas City, Lawrence cheers on its own Kaw Valley Kickball League
Photography by Nick
In the summer of 2002, an enterprising young woman named Natalie Winn had a simple idea. She popped into her place of work at Rudy’s Pizzeria and asked her co-workers if they wanted to reclaim the joys of childhood by playing kickball on Sundays.
The staff jumped at the chance and quickly formed a team. At Winn’s request, staff from seven other downtown restaurants and bars also signed up, creating an informal eight-team league.
“We were cooks, bartenders, servers, managers, cashiers and doormen. Some were drinkers, some smokers, some jocks, some rockers, some skaters, some stoners, but we were all there to try out this new kickball league,” wrote former team commissioner Geoff Wright on the Kaw Valley Kickball League website. “For most of us, that day was the most fun we’d ever had on a hot June afternoon in Lawrence.”
That first summer, the team from the former Tellers restaurant won the unofficial championship of what would eventually become the Kaw Valley Kickball League (KVKL), finishing with a 7-0 record.
In those early days, games were played at South Park and Edgewood Park in East Lawrence. Because the league was unofficial, the operation had a distinctly “rogue” feel. Nick Lerner, a realtor with McGrew who has played in the league since its inception, remembers when the league played in public parks without city permits or any clear-cut rules.
“We just called for do-overs whenever a call was contested,” Lerner says. “It was something special.”
Word spread, and the league’s second year fielded 20 teams. At that year’s championship game, about 300 fans gathered in South Park to watch team Wattleneck (staff from the former restaurant Wa and the Bottleneck) take on Rudy’s Pizzeria. KJHK broadcast the event live, Channel 6 covered it, and the Lawrence Journal-World photographed a Rudy’s fan holding a sign that read, “These Hippies Are Gonna Smoke Ya!” Wattleneck won 9-8 after a controversial ruling, and the victors proudly claimed their trophy: a kickball diorama.
“That season was the pinnacle year of kickball,” Lerner says. “It was the first year shirts were made for the league. I still have one. They were only $5 and had [the names of] all the teams that participated. It was the start of this sense of community that is still so dear to my heart.”
A Lawrence Fixture
The league quickly became a Lawrence institution, with more teams wanting to join than there was space available, and the fun has only grown. Today, this co-ed league is made up of 36 teams and more than 600 players. It follows official rules and codes of conduct, uses actual referees and tracks statistics.
Since 2007, the league has held its featured “Game of the Week” on Sundays at 9 p.m. at Municipal Stadium, inside Hobbs Park. This weekly event began as the only game played in a stadium and drew hundreds of spectators. Lerner still recalls the chills from that first night he played under the lights before a fanatical crowd.
“Back in its heyday, we would fill the stadium every Sunday,” he says. “It felt like standing room only some nights, and it wasn’t just about the people who played. It was the place to be on a Sunday night, and it was just so freaking cool.”
Over the years, KVKL has built a unique culture of colorful characters, quirky ensembles and all-around good-natured traditions. The team Goats once brought a live goat to a game. Many teams blast music from a boom box whenever their players are up to bat. Former player Curtis McCoy has refereed games in a Winnie-the-Pooh costume just for laughs. And the league’s beloved Jason “Cougar” Hwang leads crowds in singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during each Game of the Week’s seventh-inning stretch.
ABOVE Left to right, back row: Jacki Becker, Seth Sanchez, Kenny Kaberline, Shawn Meredith, Corinne Meredith, Lou Schmitt, Morgan Beer, Kerry Linton, Michael Linton; Front row: Mookie Carter, Lindsey Deiter, Angela Finch
Learn More!
To join in the fun, visit kawvalleykickball.com. You can also listen to the league’s official podcast, “The KVKL Podcast,” wherever you get your podcasts.
“He has Eventually, the league evolved from its grassroots origins into a thriving nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Over 24 years, it has raised more than $130,000 for local charities. In 2025 alone, KVKL raised $20,060, including $6,500 each for the Willow Domestic Violence Shelter and Lawrence Pride.
“It’s grown into a force of good for the city,” says Erin Adams, a player since 2003 and board member from 2009 to 2019. “We’re the only city in the nation that has a charity kickball league with this many teams. Other cities with this many teams are for-profit.”
Still Kicking
Beyond its charitable impact, KVKL has forged lasting relationships both on and off the field. Adams, who is helping steer the Hobbs Legacy Project to preserve Municipal Stadium, met her husband, Derek Davis, through kickball. Davis even proposed to Adams in 2018 at Hobbs Park after the seventh-inning stretch. Davis began playing kickball in 2006 after moving to Lawrence from Salina and is now in his third year serving on the board of directors.
“I immediately fell in love with it,” Davis says. “I’ve made lifelong friends. I was in a rough spot and unemployed. [Kickball] literally was the one thing that kept me here as opposed to moving back home. … I’ve grown as a person, and I chalk that up to people I’ve met through kickball.”
Adams counts 20 marriages through KVKL, including some whose weddings were held at Hobbs
Park. Lerner met his wife at a team captain’s meeting in 2005. Today, they have two children, including their 18-year-old son, Logan. After 24 years, Lerner is still passionate about kickball and is looking forward to a meaningful summer spent playing the game with his son for the first time.
“I want to play at least one game where I can say my son played in this league,” Lerner says. “There are only a couple of parents and children who have played. I’ll be really proud when that happens.”
At the end of the day, this game is about more than kicking a rubber ball and running bases. It’s about being silly, sharing laughs, staying active and making friends—it’s a special kind of magic that shows off what makes Lawrence so special.
“We are such a diverse group of people, and we’re all here because we love this children’s game,” Lerner says. “We love each other. We’re family.”
Jacki’s Legacy
Jacki Becker made an indelible mark on the Kaw Valley Kickball League (KVKL). Not only has she played in the league since 2004, but she has also served on the board and helped it evolve into a charitable organization.
But today, Becker is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and the KVKL community is rallying around her through online fundraising efforts.
“Jacki is an amazing person,” says longtime player Nick Lerner. “She’s like the ‘Mama Bear’ of our league. We all want to help her out.”
That includes people like fellow KVKL member Erin Adams, who served on the board with Becker from 2012 to 2016.
“She’s fighting so hard and getting all the treatment she possibly can,” Adams says. “We’re very lucky that she has a handful of friends who have medical expertise … everybody’s kind of got a handle on how to support her.”
In addition to helping raise charitable funds and promoting gender inclusivity with KVKL, Becker has served on the Juneteenth Board, East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, Just Food Board (which she also chaired), Lawrence Parks and Recreation Board (and chaired) and Lawrence Bicycle Advisory Board.
Before this issue went to press, Becker’s GoFundMe page had raised $140,347.
“She puts in a lot of work, so a lot of people are putting in a lot of work to help her as well,” Adams says. “Her health is definitely a priority for us to get her back on her feet, but I think we’re all just hoping for the best.” gofundme.com/f/support-jacki-while-she-kicks-cancers-butt
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers’ Market
Ongoing–September 24
cottinshardware.com
Gathering of local food vendors in the parking lot of Cottin’s Hardware on Thursdays, 4–6:30 p.m.
Float Local Fridays
Recurring monthly on the first Friday clintonmarina.com
Gathering of local food vendors and live music at Clinton Marina, 5–9 p.m.
Lawrence Farmers’ Market
Ongoing–November 21
lawrencefarmersmarket.org
The state’s oldest continually operating farmers’ market welcomes visitors on Saturdays, 7:30–11:30 a.m.
GOAL! Group Exhibition
May 29–August 1
lawrenceartscenter.org
Lawrence Arts Center hosts an exhibition celebrating the international soccer tournament and the cultural diversity of the Midwest.
The Addams Family
June 5–21 (various dates)
theatrelawrence.com
Theatre Lawrence presents the heartwarming musical about the Addams family, in which 18-yearold Wednesday Addams falls in love with a young man from a “normal” family.
Lawrence PRIDE Street Party
June 6
lawrencekspride.com
A downtown parade and evening street party to celebrate and honor the contributions and presence of the community’s LGBTQ+ communities. Parade starts at 11 a.m.
Chris Redd
June 11–13
thecomedyclublfk.com
The comedian known for his run on Saturday Night Live performs at The Comedy Club.
Kaw River Roots Festival
June 11–14
kawriverroots.com
A celebration of Americana music with four days of concerts and events. This year’s festival features Split Lip Rayfield, Front Porch, Unfit Wives and more.
World Cup Fan Fest Kickoff Party
June 12
downtownlawrence.com
The kickoff party to celebrate soccer’s biggest event starts at 5 p.m. in downtown Lawrence with live music, food and entertainment.
St. John’s Mexican Fiesta
June 13
stjohnsfiesta.com
An annual celebration of music, food and dancing to honor Lawrence’s Mexican American community and raise scholarships for Lawrence students, 4–10 p.m.
Score Lawrence
June 16
lawrencebuskerfest.com
An outdoor festival starts at 3 p.m. with live music, local food vendors and soccer workshops celebrating soccer’s biggest event. Viewing party at Liberty Hall, as Algeria takes on Argentina, starts at 8 p.m.
Indigenous World Market
June 17
haskell.edu
Haskell Indian Nations University hosts an afternoon of shopping for handcrafted items from Native vendors at the Haskell Powwow Grounds, 3–7 p.m.
Juneteenth
June 19–20
lawrenceksjuneteenth.org
A two-day community gathering in South Park to honor the history and contributions of Lawrence’s Black residents featuring vendors, presentations and musical celebrations. Parade starts June 20 at 11 a.m.
Free State Festival
June 22–28
freestatefestival.org
Produced by the Lawrence Arts Center, this annual event brings independent films, live music, comedy and art to venues across Lawrence.
The Wallflowers: 30th Anniversary Tour
June 23
libertyhall.net
The American rock band takes the stage at Liberty Hall.
Powwow on the Pitch
June 24
haskell.edu
Haskell Indian Nations University hosts a powwow at the Haskell Powwow Grounds, 6–10 p.m.
Score Lawrence
June 25
lawrencebuskerfest.com
An outdoor festival starts at 4 p.m. with live music, local food vendors and soccer workshops celebrating soccer’s biggest event. Viewing party at Lawrence Arts Center, as the United States take on Turkey, starts at 9 p.m.
Ashley Gavin
June 26–28
thecomedyclublfk.com
The comedian known for her LGBTQ+ comedy podcast We’reHavingGaySexperforms at The Comedy Club.
Brass on Mass
June 26
thegranada.com
Live on Mass hosts an outdoor block party with live music from the Dead Bettys, River City Brass Band and more.
Midsummer Night on Mass
June 26
msnonmass.com
Downtown businesses hold special sidewalk sales and discounts for an evening of shopping and strolling, 4–10 p.m.
events
summer 2026
Summerfest
July 4
lawrenceks.gov
Lawrence’s signature Independence Day celebration brings the community together at the Douglas County Fairgrounds for an evening of food, music and a drone show.
Score Lawrence
July 11
lawrencebuskerfest.com
An outdoor festival starts at 3 p.m. with live music, local food vendors and soccer workshops celebrating soccer’s biggest event. Quarter-final viewing party at Maceli’s starts at 8 p.m.
The Snake
July 25 trailhawks.com
The Lawrence Trail Hawks running club hosts its annual 10-mile trail race at Clinton Lake.
Douglas County Fair
July 27–August 1
dgcountyfair.com
This county tradition is for all ages—come during the day for animal showings, pie contests and more, and stay through the evening for concerts, carnival rides and a demolition derby.
Tunes and Brews
August 1
lawrenceopera.org
Lawrence Opera Theatre presents its annual “Tunes and Brews” concert at 23rd Street Brewery.
Echoes of the Macabre
August 7
lawrenceopera.org
Lawrence Opera Theatre presents an evening of micro operas exploring human nature at Maceli’s.
The Crucible
August 14, 16
lawrenceopera.org
Experience Robert Ward’s opera based on Arthur Miller’s timeless play at Theatre Lawrence.
Civil War on the Border
August 20–23
watkinsmuseum.org
The Watkins Museum of History hosts its annual series of lectures, tours and other events to commemorate the 1863 attack on Lawrence by Confederate guerrilla forces and to explore the lasting impact of the Civil War on the city’s history and identity.
Kansas Picking and Fiddling Championships
August 23
fidpick.org
South Park hosts a celebration of folk and roots music, 12–5 p.m.
Best of Lawrence Winners Bash
September 2
bestoflawrence.com
Celebrating the winners of the community-wide online voting in more than 200 categories and the businesses, people, groups and events that define Lawrence.
KU Football Season Opener
September 4
kuathletics.com
The University of Kansas Jayhawks football team opens its 2026 season at home against Long Island University at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The Hawk September 12 trailhawks.com
The Lawrence Trail Hawks running club hosts its annual showcase race at Clinton Lake, with 50and 100-mile race routes.
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