Emporia is THE Place to be this Fall!

As summer winds down and things cool off, Emporia, Kansas, heats up and boasts events for everyone. Mark your calendars and plan to have fun with festivals, live music, disc golf, gravel rides and arts & entertainment. Whether you live near or far, grab some friends and head to Emporia for a variety of fall festivities.

For information on these events and more go to our community calendar.

SEPTEMBER

Lyon County Showdown

Enjoy a fall rodeo with the Kansas High School Rodeo Association and Kansas Junior High School Rodeo Association. Over 200 contestants from across Kansas and surrounding states will compete in chute dogging, calf roping, team roping, coat tying, poles, barrels, saddle bronc, bareback riding, breakaway roping and more. Donations for the canned food drive benefiting the Salvation Army are welcome by local Lyon County FFA Chapters. The rodeo, sponsored by the Lyon County Fairboard, will be held at the Lyon County Fairgrounds, 2650 W. Highway 50, in Emporia on September 21 and 22.

Femme Fatale

The Emporia Arts Council presents Femme Fatale as part of their 2019-2020 Performing Arts Series. Femme Fatale is a musical tale from a time when movies were black and white and the singers were sizzling! This 1950’s-style crime drama is a blend of vintage movie clips cinematic wizardry and live performance. This performance takes place at the historic Emporia Granada Theatre on September 21. Learn more about Femme Fatale and buy tickets.

United States Amateur Match Play Championships-Doubles

If you love watching disc golf, join the excitement and Dynamic Discs for the U.S. Amateur Match Play Championships-Doubles. Qualifier match play brackets have been held throughout the United States and Canada through July and August. Winners of their local qualifying brackets will compete in this championship event in Emporia, Kansas, September 27-29. Friday play takes place at Peter Pan Park. Saturday and Sunday rounds will be played at Jones Park East and West.

The Orchard Fall Festival

You probably won’t find an 18-hole miniature golf course in the middle of the country, unless of course you’re at The Orchard. The Orchard is a family farm started by Bob and Elaine Karr in 1992 and sells a variety of Kansas made products and produce including apples, honey, peaches, plums, blackberries, cider and more. Located six miles north of Emporia, on Highway 99, The Orchard will hold its first annual Fall Harvest Festival on September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be fun for all with free mini golf and yard games. Jack’s Snack Shack food truck will be set-up to feed your appetite.

Field to Feast

The fourth annual Field to Feast will be held on Saturday, September 28. Come enjoy Emporia’s original casual yet elegant dining farm to table experience. Menu items are sourced locally prepared by the Flint Hills Technical College Culinary Arts students. This year’s event will take place on property a few miles South of Emporia. Find out more information about Field to Feast.

OCTOBER

POPS Concert

Emporia State University’s Emporia Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Ramiro Miranda will present their POPS Concert Tuesday, October 1, at the Emporia Granada Theatre. Broadway, movie music and Andrew Maxfield’s musical narration of the children’s book by Brendan Wenzel “They All Saw A Cat” will be included in this family-friendly event. Tickets will be sold at the door the day of the concert.

Emporia First Friday Art Walk

The presenting venue for October’s First Friday Art Walk is L & L Pets, 621 Commercial St., Emporia. L & L will be hosting artist Emeline Fuller. The event will take place on October 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Emporia First Friday Art Walk occurs on the first Friday of every month with a different featured artist and presenting venue. Pick up a passport at the featured venue the day of the Art Walk and receive special discounts from venues and be entered into a drawing for a prize from the presenting venue.

Emporia Ladies Open Disc Golf Tournament

Join Tournament Director Denise Cameron and Assistant Tournament Director Jackie Morris for the first ladies-only event to be played in Emporia. The Emporia Ladies Open disc golf tournament, presented by Dynamic Discs, takes place on October 5, at Peter Pan Park and includes two rounds of 18 holes. There is also a BYOP Mixed Doubles on Friday, October 4, at 5:00 p.m.

Jack Nelson

Bourbon Cowboy is kicking off their October live music scene with the return of nationally touring country music artist Jack Nelson. Nelson’s sound is honky-tonk with a little bit of rock influence. Show this Navy Veteran how much the founding city of Veterans Day appreciates his service and his music, October 5.

Jack Mouse and Janice Borla

Jazz lovers take note; Emporian Jack Mouse is coming home to perform with his partner Janice Borla for a one-time event you won’t find anywhere else. The duo will perform at the historic Emporia Granada Theatre at 7:00 p.m. on October 11. Buy tickets online.

Lap the Lakes Gravel Grinder

The 4th running of Emporia’s non-profit, lake-themed, grassroots, camper-benefiting, waffle-feasting gravel race is back! Keep your legs strong and hit the gravel with us on October 12. Choose from 200km, 100km and 50km, men, women, and relay. Lap the Lakes is presented by Emporia Police Benefit Association. Register here.

Radius Open

The 2019 Radius Open disc golf tournament will take place on October 12, at Peter Pan Park. This is a C-tier, PDGA sanctioned singles tournament and is a trophy only event for all amateur players. There will be plenty to do after the tournament at Oktoberfest, too (see below). Register here for the Radius Open.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest, presented by the Emporia Downtown Bars Association (DEBA), is chock-full of FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN! Head to 7^th Avenue West of Commercial Street on October 12, from noon to 9:00 p.m. and enjoy all the activities. There will be live music featuring Weda Skirts, Tarnished Brass and Brickhorse, a cornhole tournament and other games. Check out the beard competition hosted by Beard Team Kansas. There are ten categories plus a kids competition. Keep your strength up with a visit to the Food trucks and there will be plenty of beer to quench your thirst!

The Plainsmen

After a day of fun at Oktoberfest, head down the block to see The Plainsmen live at the Bourbon Cowboy October 12. Enjoy some red dirt sounds and get your dance on! Music starts at 10:00 p.m.

Dynamic Discs Open

Attention, Disc golf enthusiasts! The Dynamic Discs Open will be held October 13, at Jones Park East and West. This is a B-tier PDGA sanctioned singles tournament. Register here.

Emporia State University Homecoming

The ESU Homecoming Celebration is an annual tradition that includes football, a parade, and a special musical production. Festivities will be held October 18-19. Homecoming is a time to reconnect with friends, faculty, and Emporia State University. Find the schedule here.

Hudson Drive

Country music fans will want to be at Bourbon Cowboy on October 19, for Hudson Drive. Hudson drive has opened for national touring acts including Maren Morris, Mark Wills, and Darryl Worley and is touted as “one of the fastest growing bands in the Midwest.” They perform a combination of today’s best country and Hudson drive originals.

Flint Hills Paranormal & Young Frankenstein Interactive movie

Come get spooked with Flint Hills Paranormal and the Granada Theatre  October 25, for a paranormal investigation reveal and a screening of Young Frankenstein. There will be a costume contest and the winner will receive a prize. Two signature drinks created just for this event will be available: The Graveyard for adults and The Casper for the kids. Popcorn will also be available. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the spookiness starting at 6:30 p.m.

Eek! Town Extravaganza

Every October, things get spooky with Eek Town celebrations in Emporia. The Downtown Haunted Tours, October 25 & 26, allow visitors to take a self-guided behind the scenes tour of historic downtown buildings and learn about the city’s colorful history. Trick or Treat with downtown merchants on October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To learn more, visit Emporia Main Street’s Facebook page.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Experience Day of the Dead, October 26, downtown with a dazzling parade, music, food, fun and more. Sponsored by Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow, the event is a joyful celebration of family, past and present.

Womanish Girl

Enjoy an evening of live music with Womanish Girl, a blues rock duo comprised of guitarist and vocalist Katy Guillen and drummer Stephanie Williams. The two will perform at Radius Brewing Company on October 26, at 7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome and the entertainment is FREE!

Brickhorse

Meet up with local favorite Brickhorse live at Bourbon Cowboy, performing 70’s,  80’s,  and 90’s rock-n-roll, and current and classic country. Music starts at 10:00 p.m.

2019 Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship presented by Dynamic Discs

Come watch some of the best players in the world play disc golf during the  Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship which takes place October 31 to November 3 in Emporia, hosted by Dynamic Discs.

NOVEMBER

All Veterans Tribute 11/1-15

The All Veterans Tribute is a two-week, multi-event celebration honoring our military veterans. There are several events planned from November 1-15, in the founding city of Veterans Day including a parade, memorial service, the Spur Challenge, 5K run, gravel rides, a disc golf tournament, student essay & poster contest, Quilts of Gratitude Ceremony, military roundtables, Lee Greenwood & Crystal Gayle in concert, a veteran artist exhibit, an entertainment show and much more. See the Schedule of Events.

Straight No Chaser: The Open Bar Tour

The Emporia Arts Center presents Straight No Chaser: The Open Bar Tour on November 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Emporia Granada Theatre. Straight No Chaser is a male a cappella group that has made numerous national TV appearances and emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase. Purchase tickets online or at the Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial Street, or call (620) 343-6473.

Lee Greenwood and Crystal Gayle

What better way to celebrate the All Veterans Tribute than with Lee Greenwood and Crystal Gayle in concert at the Emporia Granada Theatre on November 8. Greenwood is well-known for his hit “God Bless the USA,” and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts. Crystal Gayle, a two-time Grammy Award winner will be joining Greenwood on stage. Purchase tickets online.

Noe Palma

Welcome Noe Palma back to Emporia on November 9. Palma will put on a show for the crowd as he delivers his mix of country and southern rock at the Bourbon Cowboy.

These are a representation of events happening in Emporia during the upcoming months. More events pop up daily, so like our Facebook page and visit our community calendar to find out more. Have a spooky fun Fall!