General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

Looking for something to do this fall? To get out and maybe experience something new or different? I'll post a few of them and what EB has to say about them below. I may list out all of the cities and such below that so you know what areas are involved and you can click on his link to find out more if you choose.

Wichita by EB - 35+ Fall Festivals In and Around the Wichita Area

City of Gold Festival
Where: El Dorado, KS
El Dorado’s biggest party is returning for its second year as the City of Gold Fest returns Sept. 16 through 23*, with the big Block Party Sept. 23 in Downtown El Dorado. Events include arts and crafts, food vendors, kids activities, music and more! Get your buttons and join in the fun! *Rain or shine!

The Drone Light Festival
Where: Exploration Place
The festival will provide breathtaking views of 300 synchronized drones (100 more than last year!), fully choreographed with music. We are planning some exciting enhancements to the experience, including new custom drone formations, floating Chinese water lanterns, projections on the Exploration Place buildings and a concert lit by more than 2,000 candles.

Prairieland Beer and Music Festival
Where: Hyde Park
Come enjoy unlimited samples of 100+ beers with 40+ breweries from Kansas and beyond, featuring LIVE music throughout the festival. This year the festival will be held under the shade of old growth trees in Hyde Park across from Central Standard Brewing.

23rd Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival 2023
Where: Sedgwick County Park
Come one, come all to the 23rd Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival! Wichita’s long standing fall tradition returns September 30th and October 1st, 2023 in Sedgwick County Park. Aye, there’ll be jests and jousts, falconry and fire breathing, damsels and daredevils, bagpipes and belly dancers, singing pirates, The Wichita Highland Games, Celtic music, kings and queens, Vikings and vagabonds, Kansas Authors Pavilion/renaissance in reading, fairies and fairy tales, fantastic artists, the siege engine competition marvelous merchants and much, much more!

ICT Bloktoberfest
Where: Naftzger Park
Celebrate German heritage with local craft beer and brats at ICT Bloktoberfest. Naftzger Park in Wichita is transformed into a Biergarten as this giant block party brings together your favorite flavors with Wichita food trucks and breweries.

Svensk Hyllningsfest
Where: Lindsborg, KS
Svensk Hyllningsfest is the biennial celebration of honoring the Swedish immigrants who settled in the Smoky Valley in 1869. Started in 1941, the festival features art, crafts, special foods, ethnic music, folk dancing, parade, smörgåsbord and special entertainment. Smörgåsbord tickets are popular and sell quickly., The festival coincides with the Bethany College Football Homecoming.

El Dorado - City of Gold Festival
Exploration Place - The Drone Light Festival
Valley Center - Valley Center Fall Festival
Medicine Lodge - Peace Treaty Festival
Kingman - Kingman Fall Festival
Conway Springs - Conway Springs Fall Festival
Concordia - Concordia Fall Fest
Hays - Oktoberfest
Hyde Park - Prairieland Beer and Music Festival
Scott City - Whimmydiddle
Andover - Greater Andover Days
Wellington - Wellington Fall Festival
Sedgwick County Park - 23rd Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance and Scottish Festival 2023
Hutchinson - Hutch Fest
Clearwater - Clearwater Fall Festival
Goddard - Goddard Fall Festival
Stafford - Stafford Oktoberfest
Douglass - Frontier Day
Harper - RedFish Festival
Wamego - OZtoberfest
Peabody - Peabody Fall Festival
Udall - Udall Fall Festival
Whitewater - Frederick Remington Festival
Naftzger Park - ICT Blocktoberfest
Haven - Haven Fall Festival
Newton - Bethel College Fall Festival
Maize - Maize Fall Festival
Geuda Springs - Geuda Fest
Lindsborg - Svensk Hyllningsfest
Rose Hill - Rose Hill Festival
Cheney - Floyd's Fall Fest
Ellsworth - Ellsworth Fall Festival
Independence - Neewollah
Haysville - Haysville Fall Festival
Gypsum - Gypsum Fall Festival
Ark City - Arkalalah
Park City - Park City Fall Festival

And one he didn't mention but I might be going to is the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City.

[SubGod22]

Local entrepreneur at it again.

WBJ - Wichita entrepreneur launches a nutritious coffee alternative

After figuring out there was a market for their mushroom home brew, Hancock and Sherman started formulating a recipe in Hancock's kitchen.

"We were mixing stuff together and researching ingredients," Hancock said.

They knew they wanted mushrooms, but they also wanted other ingredients that might help with inflammation and joint repair. They thought of herbs, including turmeric and ashwaganda. In addition, they wanted the product to taste good, so they mixed in some peppermint, cinnamon and cardamon.

Eventually, they came up with the recipe.

Next they did some blind testing. Hancock was already at Groover Labs, a downtown Wichita coworking facility geared toward startups and product development, so he asked many of his cohorts to taste his new drink.

After some tweaking, they settled on what is now called Monkey Brew, which contains four varieties of mushrooms: lion's mane, cordyceps, turkey tail and maitake. Eventually, the partners want to introduce coffee into the beverage, but for now, they are keeping it mostly caffeine free.

According to Grand View Research, the mushroom coffee market was an almost $3-billion business in 2022, with profits expected to rise by more than 5% by 2030.

Apparently he's had some success with his Wall Nanny baby/pet gate which is available at Wal-Mart and Target. Now he's on to a coffee replacement. It's available at GROW Giesen Plant Shop for now with more options coming soon.

I despise mushrooms in general so even the thought of this creeps me out, but I can still see the potential in this for them. Maybe not seeing mushroom and the other flavors that are added would make it doable for me.

[WuDrWu]

I despise mushrooms in general so even the thought of this creeps me out, but I can still see the potential in this for them. Maybe not seeing mushroom and the other flavors that are added would make it doable for me.

So...............water?

[SubGod22]

This will be a tough sell for many. Wichitan's ***** if they have to walk more than 50 feet to get somewhere.

WBJ - ICT Summit: Panel explores shifts in mindsets for downtown real estate, parking

When assessing the current landscape of downtown Wichita, there's plenty to be enthusiastic about, panelists said at Thursday's ICT Summit.

But, they added that there are also notable challenges and a need for a mindset shift in certain areas if the city's core is to reach its full potential.

Downtown Wichita executive vice president Jason Gregory said the real estate sector is one area he's "never been more optimistic about."
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According to Troy Anderson, assistant city manager, there's opportunity for even more development revolving around something downtown has quite a bit of — parking.

"Parking, and the abundance of surface parking, is actually stifling development," he said. "We have properties in our downtown that are primed for development, that will grow our economy, grow our jobs, grow our ability to attract and retain talent. And right now, it's a parking lot."

Anderson said, in the weeks and months ahead, the city will be presenting information tied to a paid parking implementation strategy, which he acknowledged will require people to "stretch the imagination" about what downtown parking looks like.

Instead of always being able to park right at the front door for free, people may have to consider walking a block, or being willing to pay a premium for parking, he said.

Also talked about the importance of housing and the need for more of it.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Country star Cody Johnson coming to Wichita

Country music star Cody Johnson is bringing his “The Leather Tour” to Wichita in 2024. He will perform at Intrust Bank Arena on Feb. 9.

“The Leather Tour” is named after Johnson’s new album Leather, which is expected to come out on Nov. 3. Special guests include Justin Moore and Dillon Carmichael.

Some of Johnson’s big hits include “Til You Can’t,” “Ain’t Nothin’ to It,” “The Painter,” “Human,” and “On My Way to You.”

[SubGod22]

KWCH - Actor leading Wichita museum's effort to restore Santa Fe locomotive

Wichita’s Great Plains Transportation Museum (GPTM) is kicking off a fundraising effort to perform a full cosmetic restoration of historic Santa Fe Railway diesel-electric locomotive No. 93.

Built by the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors Corporation at La Grange, Ill., in late 1967, 93 was donated to the museum by BNSF Railway in June 1999. The 93 pulled Santa Fe passenger trains between Chicago and California or Texas and freight trains for Santa Fe and successor BNSF Railway throughout those railroad systems, rolling up millions of miles.

“Actor and Santa Fe Railway enthusiast Michael Gross, best known for playing Steven Keaton on Family Ties and Burt Gummer in the Tremors movie franchise, will be the face and voice of our efforts to restore 93 to its former glory,” GPTM president John Deck said.

GPTM’s locomotive 93 fundraising goal is $193,000, which will cover mechanical work required to move the locomotive round trip from Wichita to Kansas City, transportation costs, restoration work and visitor access staircases for display once the locomotive returns to Wichita.

[SubGod22]

KWCH - Wichita's first LEGO convention set for this weekend

Wichita’s first ever LEGO convention is coming to the Century II Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. The event is supporting Creations for Charity, with a portion of the proceeds going to the all-volunteer nonprofit organization. Creations for Charity is an organization that buys new LEGO sets for underprivileged children around the world during the holidays.

For the Wichita Brick Convention, professional LEGO Artists will come in from around the United States to display their LEGO creations and meet with fans. There will be meet-and-greets with LEGO celebrities, including cast from the LEGO Masters TV show.

LEGO fans can get creative in the Construction Zone, with thousands of bricks available, as well as live builds to watch and interact with. Galleries have been set up with life-sized and extraordinary LEGO models on display.

[SubGod22]

KAKE - Botanica announces return of Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Haunted Hops

As Halloween season approaches, children and adults alike can enjoy the spooky season while strolling through Botanica for five fun-filled nights this October.

Botanica announced Wednesday that its annual "Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular" event will take place October 5-7 and 13-14 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event, presented by Ascension Via Christi and Spirit Aerosystems, includes aerial acrobatics, a petting zoo, carousel rides, over 1,000 uniquely carved pumpkins and much more.

“We’re very excited to welcome back Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular,” said Dawn Hewitt, Executive Director. “It has activities and entertainment that range from spooky to fun so everyone in the family will find something to enjoy.”

The Haunted Woodland Walk is ideal for those who enjoy the spookiness of the season and don’t mind a few scares. DJ Carbon will also be playing tunes on the Grand Lawn stage, and cocktails will be available for purchase from Bar on Demand. Food from local food trucks will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 for youth, $12 for Botanica members, $15 for non-members and free for children 2 and under. They can be purchased at https://botanica.org/jackolantern spectacular/.

Botanica is also hosting Haunted Hops, a 21+ event on October 12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring more than 15 spooky-themed, locally brewed craft beers and hard ciders as well as food, music and more. Learn more at https://botanica.org/haunted-hops/.

[SubGod22]

Here's a project that, depending on how well it's done, could be pretty cool and possibly beneficial to the entire state. I'll definitely have to check it out.

WBJ - Series follows five Shockers in their drive to find careers in their home state

A documentary exploring how five young Kansans decided to pursue careers in their home state will air in two parts starting this week.

"Paths Across Kansas" tells the story of five Wichita State University students who are pursuing careers in Kansas in areas like aerospace, agriculture and health care, rather than relocating to bigger cities across the country.

"For decades, young people in Middle America have felt unfair pressure to head to the coasts for high-paying and innovative jobs," a news release from the organizers says. "But that story is changing. In south-central Kansas, people are finding exciting opportunities in innovative industries right in their backyards."

Exploration Place will play host Thursday to a sold-out event that will include a talk from Roadtrip Nation, the film's creators, and a panel discussion with the students.

Episodes are on PBS. Starting at 8:30pm tonight and on October 5.

Roadtrip Nation website

[SubGod22]

WBJ - A look at where Wichita's Exploration Place is headed with playscape vision

Exploration Place's planned multimillion-dollar outdoor expansion is one of the most eagerly anticipated developments in downtown Wichita.

Now, the science and discovery center has shared with the Wichita Business Journalnew renderings of what the biggest piece of that effort — a $17-million playscape, described as a new generation of playground with a theme-park feel for all ages — could look like.

One image showcases a large "water play cascade," while the other features the "aviation play grove," which contains visual elements similar to an initial rendering released earlier this year.

In an interview last month, Exploration Place president Adam Smith said he is targeting a 2025 opening for the project that will take inspiration from Tulsa's Gathering Place.
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Smith said an August visit to see family in England, where he saw a recently-opened playscape in that country's Northumberland region, added to his enthusiasm for what Exploration Place can become.

"It's a similar sort of size and scale of ambition that we're shooting for, and just to see this place packed out, and most importantly, to see the kids just eating this up, it's really inspired me to keep going on the journey we are on," he said.

The playscape is not the only part of Exploration Place's expansion efforts.

Funding is in place to start construction by early 2024 on an outdoor amphitheater as part of the "EP2" initiative's first phase.
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Last week, the second annual Drone Light Festival at Exploration Place brought in around 11,000 people over the three-day event, Smith said.

Smith recently talked about how the first drone light show demonstrated the potential for the amphitheater on the west bank of the Arkansas River — and how Exploration Place's location for the playscape vision is ideal.

“We're in a naturally beautiful place here," he said.

Lots to be excited about with Exploration Place. Adam Smith may be one of the most important hires that have taken place in Wichita in the last few years.

[ShockBand]

Here's a project that, depending on how well it's done, could be pretty cool and possibly beneficial to the entire state. I'll definitely have to check it out.

WBJ - Series follows five Shockers in their drive to find careers in their home state



Episodes are on PBS. Starting at 8:30pm tonight and on October 5.

Roadtrip Nation website

One person they interviewed said he still lives by that old marketing tagline from years ago: "We are thinkers, doers, movers, and Shockers". These episodes look interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Oh, and the episodes are already available on the Roadtrip Nation page.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Saudi Arabia official tells Wichitans Boeing purchase benefits both countries

Saudi Arabia wants to have at least 100 million tourists visit the country annually by 2030, and an embassy spokesperson thinks Wichita's aviation ties will play a big part in making it happen.

In the spring, Saudi Arabia reached an agreement with the Boeing Co. to purchase at least 120 of its 787 Dreamliner jets, the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. The planes will fly for the decades-old Saudia Airlines and an upstart airline, Riyadh Air. The White House valued the contract at nearly $37 billion.

Fahad Nazer, spokesperson for the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C., flew to Wichita on Wednesday to speak at a World Trade Council of Wichita event about U.S. trade with Saudi Arabia, the country's expanding tourism and the Boeing (NYSE: BA) deal.
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The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Boeing goes back decades. Today, Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems manufactures full fuselages on the Boeing 737 and also has partial work on all Boeing commercial programs.

"Kansas, if I have the figure correct, does have significant trade; it exports $30 million to the Kingdom," he said.

In total, Saudi Arabia’s national carriers ordered 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. In the U.S., the agreement supports around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and more than 300 suppliers from across 38 states.
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The World Trade Council of Wichita promotes international trade and investment in Wichita and south-central Kansas. For more than 40 years, the Council, a nonprofit organization, has had a partnership with Wichita State's Center for International Business Advancement. The organization conducts educational seminars and other programs to advance international business.

Each month, the Council brings in speakers to talk about economics and trade. Nazar spoke with WSU students, community leaders and business people on Wednesday evening.

"Saudi Arabia is a big investor in our state and in the aerospace sector," said Usha Haley, professor of management at WSU and chair of the World Trade Council of Wichita. "Saudi Arabia has invested a great deal in Boeing. Because (some of) Boeing is manufactured by Spirit (AeroSystems), this is the vote of confidence in Wichita."

[SubGod22]

One person they interviewed said he still lives by that old marketing tagline from years ago: "We are thinkers, doers, movers, and Shockers". These episodes look interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Also found out that you don't have to wait for PBS. Both episodes are already available in the link above. I just finished the first EP and you could tell that the kids had their eyes opened to how much opportunity is available here. It's been interesting.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Wichita airport traffic increased in August

In August, the airport saw 72,915 passengers boarding flights, an increase of 9.48% over last August.

The airport said it was the second busiest August on record in terms of passengers. The busiest August occurred in 2019, with 73,248 enplanements. Here are the key points:

• 72,915 enplanements, up 9.48% over August 2022
• 149,559 total passengers, up 9.00%
• Scheduled seats increased 9.9%
• Scheduled flights increased 9.3%%
• For the year, enplanements have increased 14%
• Total passengers year-to-date are 1,120,999, up 13.33%

[WstateU]

Here's a project that, depending on how well it's done, could be pretty cool and possibly beneficial to the entire state. I'll definitely have to check it out.

WBJ - Series follows five Shockers in their drive to find careers in their home state



Episodes are on PBS. Starting at 8:30pm tonight and on October 5.

Roadtrip Nation website

Just watched tonight’s episode on channel 8; really enjoyed the program.