How We Celebrate End-of-Summer-Back-to-School Days!

Here we are in August, with one foot still stuck in summer and the other dipping a toe into back-to-school. It’s a wacky time of year, a mash-up of lazy days and git ‘er done. So why not embrace the wackiness with a location celebration?

Every day, week, and month of the year is commemorated in some fashion. Follow our ideas below for some fun ways to celebrate a handful of these little-known late summer holidays right here in Emporia!

August is National Dog Month, so celebrate with your best pal! Take an extra-long walk in one of Emporia’s beautiful parks–Peter Pan Park, Jones Park, Eastside Memorial Park, or Hammond Park, to name just a few. Get your dog that special toy or treat at L&L Pets, 621 Commercial St., or take a romp at the Buck Fund Dog Park at 2920 W. 24th Ave., or make some new furry friends at the Emporia Animal Shelter & Humane Society of the Flint Hills, at 1216 Hatcher St.

August is also National Sandwich Month! The average American child eats about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before finishing high school. Why not break out of that rut and try some of the delicious sandwich offerings available right here in Emporia? From delicious sandwiches made with freshly-baked bread to splurge-worthy desserts, local favorite Amanda’s Bakery & Cafe (702 Commercial St.) has a sandwich to satisfy every taste.

You can’t go wrong with a sandwich piled high with “Best of the Flint Hills Barbecue” from BobbyD’s Merchant Street BBQ (607 Merchant St.). Try one and you’ll know why they say, “It’s all ‘bout da meat!”

Or treat your taste buds with a tantalizing Philly cheesesteak or Louisiana-style po’ boy sandwich at Do-B’s Burger Barn, Philly Stop, & Po-Boy Shoppe (704 E. 12th Ave.). Don’t forget the sweet potato fries!

And guess what else? August is National Golf Month! Just another way to celebrate every day in Emporia, whether enjoying our beautiful 18-hole Emporia Golf Course just south of town at 1133 S. Hwy 99 or hitting the links at the Emporia Community Club course, 1801 Rural St. A sport with a rich heritage that spans centuries, golf offers a unique blend of physical activity, strategic thinking, and mental focus–a game that fosters friendships, builds character, and teaches valuable life lessons such as patience, resilience, and sportsmanship.

National Farmers Market Week is an August celebration, and the Emporia Farmers Market has been providing locally grown goodness for forty years. Visit the many varied vendors at our twice-weekly farmers market, held on Wednesdays (5:00-6:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (8:00-10:30 a.m.) in the parking lot on Merchant Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. From fresh homegrown produce to locally crafted jewelry to freshly baked breads and pastries, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for at this open-air market.

National Thrift Store Day was August 17, but you can still celebrate! Emporia has numerous quirky shops to satisfy your thrifting passion! Start at De Stijl Vintage Modern at 1117-1/2 Commercial St. for fine art finds and unusual accents. Almost right next door is The Dusty Trail Gift Shoppe, at 1107B Commercial St., which even features some Kansas-themed items. Continue on down Commercial to Mike’s Attic, at 623 Commercial St., for a peek at some seriously funky finds! Then end up at the granddaddy of them all, Poehler Mercantile Antique Mall, at 301 Commercial. Make it a whole day, with visits to our bright new Goodwill retail shop at 2200 Industrial Rd., Emporia Flea Market & Antiques at 2705 W. Hwy 50, and the Salvation Army retail shop at 512 Constitution St.

And bacon–because everybody loves bacon, right?? International Bacon Day is September 2, and the King of Bacon, Fanestil Meats, rules in Emporia, Kansas! Get yourself down to the Fanestil’s Fresh Local Market, at 4700 W. Hwy 50, for a selection of the best bacon just about anywhere. You might decide to pick up some hand-cut steaks while you’re there, too. Don’t forget to grab some delicious Kansas-grown pecans!

Might as well go whole hog–how about a delicious BLT? Check out some delicious riffs on a classic favorite at Cowboy Cafe (502 Albert St.), Harry & Lloyd’s East (728 E. Sixth Ave.), Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill (2909 W. Ninth Ave.)–or try the chicken bacon avocado sandwich at Bruff’s Bar & Grill (2640 W. 18th Ave.).

In 2023, Earth Overshoot Day fell on August 2. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has exhausted nature’s budget for the year. For the rest of the year, we are maintaining our ecological deficit by drawing down local resource stocks and accumulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

We try hard, here in Emporia, to respect Mother Nature and we do our best to conserve the natural resources with which we are blessed. While you’re visiting us, we hope you’ll also take time to learn more about our Visit Emporia Pledge, which encourages everyone to be good stewards of our community and environment during your time here with us. 

1. Stay golden
   2. Leave no trace
   3. Respect the land and its people

Find out how YOU can take the Visit Emporia Pledge here.

Visit Emporia is the official Visitor Information Center for Emporia offering brochures and maps of Emporia, surrounding areas, and the state of Kansas. Drop in to visit us at 719 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See the Visit Emporia website for more information or check us out on Facebook,  Instagram, and Twitter for more activities and events.

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