2024 Big Kansas Road Trip
On the last day of the 2023 Big Kansas Road Trip in Jewell, Republic and Smith counties, Marci Penner of the Kansas Sampler Foundation announced that the 2024 Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) will take place in Ellsworth and Lincoln counties plus the community of Lucas on May 2-5, 2024. The BKRT is a multi-day event that feels like a tri-county open house of communities and their attractions and locally-owned shops and restaurants, and it’s a time to travel back roads and take in short activities that help locals tell their story. Penner said, “All we ask is that communities be good at being themselves. The public seeks first-hand experiences in our rural communities to get to know them as they are and this event delivers exactly that.” "We decided to pare down to two counties after hearing from BKRT participants that there were just too many miles to navigate with three counties," Penner explained. "Adding Lucas (Russell County) made sense because it's the end point of the Post Rock Scenic Byway that goes through the other two counties, starting in Wilson." A few highlights on next year's BKRT are Mushroom Rock State Park, Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum (Kanopolis) and the World's Largest Czech Egg in Ellsworth County; Crispin Drug Store Museum (Lincoln), Historic Denmark Church, and Flyboy Brewery & Eats (Sylvan Grove) in Lincoln County, the Postrock Capital of Kansas; and the Garden of Eden, the Grassroots Art Center, and Brant's Meat Market in Lucas, the grassroots art capital of Kansas. Penner said, "It's hard to describe the explorer-y attributes of our 2024 locations by listing a few places. The thrill is in the Smoky Hill region scenery, hiking at Kanopolis state park and backroad touring that takes you over historic bridges, by limestone structures, cemeteries and into small towns. It's the fun of the unexpected things you'll find in the museums and noticing the attributes of architectural structures. It's where you'll learn about cowtown, early military and pioneer history. The many locally-owned eateries and stores will introduce you to local culture. First-hand rural experiences abound." The mission of the Kansas Sampler Foundation is to preserve and sustain rural culture. For more information on the BKRT, go to bigkansasroadtrip.com.
Get REGISTERED for Big Kansas Roadtrip
Restaurants
Please fill out this form if your restaurant will be open Big Kansas Road Trip, May 2-5 in Ellsworth and Lincoln counties + Lucas. We only list locally owned restaurants. Franchises are not listed in the color guide. The information will be compiled and used in the print color guide and website.
There is no cost to be listed, but there is an opportunity to purchase advertising.
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE BKRT COLOR GUIDE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2024
After this date, registration form information will be added to the BKRT website until April 5, 2024, but will not be included in the print color guide.
Attractions
Please fill out this form if you are an attraction and plan to participate in the Big Kansas Road Trip, May 2-5 in Ellsworth and Lincoln counties + Lucas. The information will be compiled and used in the print color guide and website.
There is no cost to be listed, but there is an opportunity to purchase advertising.
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE BKRT COLOR GUIDE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2024
After this date, registration form information will be added to the BKRT website until April 5, 2024, but will not be included in the print color guide.
Shop Stop
Qualifying businesses are those that are tourism attractions or destination shop or unique inventory/architecture/or story. We ask that any business who is in the BKRT promotion provide something, whether it be a special price, a bottled water, a cup of coffee, a souvenir, a photo opp. We encourage these businesses to put some kind of extra Welcome sign in their window, along with the BKRT sign, and/or a sandwich board sign on the street. Places like liquor stores, chiropractor, appliance shops, insurance agencies, banks, etc. are not likely eligible unless circumstances offer something really unique (examples – liquor store in Hoisington is in an old Valentine Diner).
There is no cost to be listed, but there is an opportunity to purchase advertising.
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE BKRT COLOR GUIDE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2024
After this date, registration form information will be added to the BKRT website until April 5, 2024, but will not be included in the print color guide.
Events
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: Event applications are due December 1, 2023. Applicants will be contacted by December 31, 2023 if their event has been approved.
CRITERIA: 1) Activities should tell the story of an aspect of the community. For example, a Post Rock Demonstration. 2) Events should portray a local custom or an activity that is an annual event. Examples are lemonade stands, annual bake sale or a hoola hoop contest. 3) If a musical event is submitted, entertainers should be local or from the region. For questions about criteria contact your local leader (contact information for each county/Lucas is found at the bottom of the BKRT home page) or Marci Penner at marci@kansassampler.org
It is strongly suggested that tours last no more than 15-30 minutes. Priority will be given events that submit tours for this length of time.
There is no cost to be listed, but there is an opportunity to purchase advertising.
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION IS DECEMBER 1, 2023. (If your event is approved the information will be listed on the BKRT website and in the color guide.) Deadline for approved event changes is February 1, 2024.
