Another “Big Deal” Coming to Emporia!

A “Go To” Destination

Emporia’s reputation as a “go to” destination has increased significantly over the past several years. We have some fabulous home-grown restaurants, a growing live music scene, a vibrant downtown and two world-class events that bring visitors from multiple countries to our town.

Emporia, Kansas is a big deal! We are internationally known for the Glass Blown Open (GBO) disc golf tournament and the Dirty Kanza (DK) bicycle race. During the first year of competition, the GBO had 88 competitors. 1,700 players competed in 2019. The first Dirty Kanza rolled out with 34 participants. Almost 3,000 riders from all 50 states and 28 countries crossed the start line in downtown Emporia on June 1, this year.

The GBO and DK came about because someone had a vision and worked hard to make it a reality. On August 31, in downtown Emporia, two more visions will come to fruition. The Halfway to Everywhere (H2E) Music Festival and the No Coast Film Festival are working together to bring a day of live music, short films and the Midwestern debut of the movie “Buckshot” to Emporia.

Halfway to Everywhere

Halfway to Everywhere is a FREE music festival! It has been a long-time dream of Kansas Free for Arts Executive Director and co-founder, Hank Osterhout to bring a music festival to downtown Emporia. Osterhout has spent several years brainstorming with friends, deliberating with community members and organizing this music festival. 28 bands will be performing live on four stages downtown during the inaugural H2E fest. The festival is free, however if you want to engage in the VIP experience, you can purchase a VIP pass and enjoy perks such as access to the VIP lounge on the second floor of Twin Rivers Winery, snacks, refreshments, a catered meal, premium access to stage and meet-and-greet areas and exclusive festival memorabilia.

No Coast

Jamie Darcy and his team sought and screened short film submissions from all over the world for the 1st annual No Coast Film Festival, the first of its kind in Emporia. The festival takes place in the historic Emporia Granada Theatre and admission is FREE! There will be 37 short films from Kansas as well as foreign countries including France, Belgium, UK, Ireland, China, Iran Australia, Spain, and Canada shown at the Festival. Film fest entrants are eligible to win one of the following three awards, Grand Jury Prize, Audience Choice Award, and the Kraken Award.

No Coast Film Festival has also joined forces with native Emporian Joshua J. Smith, writer, director and producer of the feature film “Buckshot,” to host the movie’s Midwestern premiere. “Buckshot” will be the final showing at the festival and admission is FREE! Smith and lead actor, Tim DeZarn, will introduce the film and will be available for a question and answer session afterwards.

“Big Deal”

We invite you to join us in Emporia on August 31st to be in attendance for these two inaugural festivals. Tell everyone you know. Invite your friends and family. YOU can help make the Halfway to Everywhere Music Festival and the No Coast Film Festival the next “big deal” to happen in Emporia!