You will discover a wide and surprising array of ethnic festivals in our rural community. Because of our ag industries, we attract ethnic groups from all over the world. Here you can enjoy celebrations of German, Irish, Hispanic, Vietnamese and American heritage.
Beef Empire Days
First two full weeks in June - Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, Beef Empire Days celebrates the cattle industry in Southwest Kansas. The goals of the event are not only to advance the production and quality of beef and continue the education and promotion of beef, but to bring the community and region together through more than 30 events geared to the industry, the arts, the athletes and the citizens of the High Plains.
The event is so big it now takes two weeks just to celebrate it all! For more information log onto their website: www.beefempiredays.com or call the Beef Empire Days office, 620-275-6807
Tumbleweed Festival
Last week-end of August - For over 10 years, the Tumbleweed Festival has thrilled visitors with the amazing range of talented musicians and entertainers that takes place in the beautiful setting of Lee Richardson Zoo. Surrounded by serene landscaping and exotic animals, the festival has featured professional groups playing jazz, rock, Latino, South American, Caribbean, Zydeco, folk, bluegrass, acapella and much more. In addition to national talent, the festival boasts it's local and regional musicians as well as a stage and huge tent devoted to children's entertainment and art. Demonstrating artisans, strolling entertainers and a huge array of food booths round out the festival. For information call the Finney County CTB, 800-879-9803.
Hot Air Balloon Classic
A popular new event, the Garden City Hot Air Balloon Classic, attracts balloonists from five states and in its first year nearly 4,000 people attended. Held in conjunction with the Tumbleweed Festival, the balloons launch very early in the morning between 6:30-7:00a.m. to avoid winds above 10mph. In addition to morning balloon launches you can enjoy evening launches on both Friday and Saturday if weather permits. On Saturday night is the beautiful Balloon Glow. The balloons are inflated after dark, but held on the ground while pumping colorful propane gas into the balloon "envelope" thus providing a gorgeous spectacle of color and light. The event is sponsored by the Finney County Convention & Tourism Bureau. Call 800-879-9803 for more information.
Pig Gig
Enjoy the pulled pork sandwiches, baked bean, coleslaw, and pop or water! While you eat enjoy the entertainment of Fulton Street Band from 8pm-11pm.
Fiesta!
In the early 1900s, Hispanic immigrants came to the Garden City area to work in the sugar beet fields and on the railroad. As a way to bring their community together and preserve part of their cultural tradition, they organized the first Mexican Fiesta in the early 1920s. Fiesta is a celebration of the day the battle for independence from Spain began on September 16, 1810. Fiesta is now celebrated on the weekend nearest that date. Activities include a queen coronation, parade, a festival with food, dancing, music and pinatas in Stevens Park and a community dance.
Cinco de Mayo
The Fifth of May celebrates the victory of the Mexican people over the French invasion on May 5, 1862. Garden City celebrates with a parade and activities in the evening that includes food and music.
Tet Nguyen-Dan / The New Year
The people of Vietnam use the Chinese calendar system, based on the moon and celebrate when their new year or Tet, starts at the second new moon after the beginning of winter, usually between January and February 20. The Garden City Vietnamese community organizes an event to celebrate Tet that includes performances by the Dragon Dancers, fan and umbrella dancers, singing, and other entertainment. A huge buffet of traditional Vietnamese food is served. Children attending the festivities receive gifts of money called li xi (lie see) which come in small red envelopes. This is a fun, energetic and educational event!
Octoberfest
During the 1920s, the first Germans from Russia immigrants began arriving in Finney County seeking jobs in the sugar beet industry. A large majority of them stayed and prospered adding another depth to our rich heritage. To celebrate, the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic based organization, serves up a superb German meal for the public. Other activities have included games for children, beer tasting and beer garden and two nights of live bands. This event is generally held the last week-end of September.
Art in the Park
If you like arts and crafts you'll love the annual Art in the Park, hosted by the Sandhills Art Association. A Garden City tradition, beginning in 1969, this event attracts thousands to beautiful Stevens Park in downtown to purchase and admire original creations crafted by artists from several states. Food booths, children's art activities and a lovely, shaded park provide an enjoyable experience for all. Held the third Saturday of August each year. For more information call, 800-879-9803.
Garden City Boo! At the Zoo
This large community event is held at the beautiful Lee Richardson Zoo. Boo! At the Zoo attracts thousands of children and families to the zoo to show off their Halloween costumes and gather treats from dozens of treat stops while enjoying entertainment AND the zoo animals in a safe environment. Usually held the third week-end in October.
Agri-Tourism
Agriculture is the name of the game in southwest Kansas. We have itall - feedyards, cowboys, milk dairies, irrigation, grain elevators, hunting and even an elephant chute production. Take time to stop and "smell the money" as we like to say here and find out for yourself the innovative and interesting workings of modern agriculutre. There are several feedyards in the immediate vicinity of Garden City. Two that you might try for an inside look at commerical feedyard operations are:
Brookover Feedyards
North Yard -Taylor Avenue/ Bus. Hwy 50 / South Yard-5250 E. Brookover Ranch Road / 276-6662 (north) 275-0125 (south)
"The Yard that Started it All" by Earl C. Brookover in 1951 was the first to establish the commercial feedyard system in the Midwest. Tours are available of either the north or south feedyards at most anytime of daylight hours by first checking in at the office. Irsik and Doll Feedyard - 8220 East Hwy. 50 620-275-7131 * Contact Mark Sebranck for tour reservations.
Irsik and Doll Feedyard
8220 East Hwy. 50 Contact office for tour reservations. 620-275-7131
Drussel Seed Cleaning
Located at 2197 W. Parallel Rd. (take Hwy 83 south to Parallel Road and turn west, follow signs) * 620-275-2359 * There is a lot more than meets the eye about wheat seed! It's a fascinating tour when seed cleaning time comes around in the fall months. For a tour during the fall months
Windriver Grain
2750 E. Hwy 50 * 620-275-2101 The #1 shipper in U.S. of bulk grain, over 20 million bushels of wheat, milo and corn are annually exported. Storage capacity of the elevator is 1.2 million bushels and all grain comes from within a 110 mile radius. Tours by appointment only.
Plymell Dairy
10500 S. Road 14 * 620-272-9333 Milking dairy's are one of the newest ag industries on the high plains. There are now 17 dairies in Southwest Kansas and tours are available for the general public. Tours by appointment only.
Tyson Fresh Meats
3105 N. IBP Road, Holcomb 620-277-2614 * Formerly IBP, this beef packing plant is one of the worlds largest. The plant employs 3,000 people and slaughters 6,000 head of cattle a day. Tours are available on a restricted basis.
Hunting
Finney County has many acres devoted to Walk-In Hunting and boasts a plentiful supply of pheasant, chukar, partridge, deer and much more. Please contact the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce for a packet of hunting information or log onto: www.kdwp.state.ks.us