Two Liberal Attractions to Participate in Kansas Sunflower Summer Program
The Liberal Convention & Visitors Bureau proudly announces the participation of two of Liberal’s beloved attractions in the 2024 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer program. The Baker Arts Center, Dorothy House and the Land of OZ invite Kansas families to explore and discover the creativity and history of Liberal.
The Baker Arts Center
This Center is where people can go to explore their artistic side! Be it arts and crafts painting, music or even cooking/baking this dynamic facility has you covered! Baker arts Center offers Locals and visitors the opportunity to view the Baker’s Permanent Collection as well as showcase new exhibits. The Center also features an extensive children’s discovery center, educational studio for art and music classes and workshops throughout the year.
Dorothy House and the Land of OZ
Be part of the story as Dorothy takes you on a tour of the official home of Dorothy Gale, a farmhouse built in 1907 which has been carefully restored and furnished to reproduce the warmth of the farmhouse from the movie. Then, Follow the iconic yellow brick road to embark on an interactive tour of the Land of OZ, a 5,000 square foot display of scenes from the movie. Start in Kansas where Professor Marvel has his wagon and Mrs. Gulch rides her bicycle and then turn a corner into the magical land of Oz where the munchkins sing and dance and Glinda appears as if by magic. Journey down the yellow brick road through the cornfield and the haunted forest, by the witch’s castle, all the way to the Wizard.
The Sunflower Summer Program is designed to encourage Kansas families with school-aged children to discover and appreciate the wonders of Kansas while supporting the state’s tourism economy. Eligible Kansas families can download the Sunflower Summer App to claim tickets to participating venues. The 2024 Sunflower Summer season will run from May 24 to August 11.
“We are thrilled to have these two attractions be a part of the 2024 Kansas Sunflower Summer program,” said Sally Fuller, Liberal CVB director. “This opportunity allows us to welcome Kansas families to our area and provide them with an unforgettable experience.”
Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, strives to promote travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts of tourism on our state and local communities.
“Kansas Tourism is excited to include these Liberal attractions in the Sunflower Summer program,” said Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe. “This program is a fantastic benefit for Kansas residents, and we look forward to its continued growth in the 2024 season. The Baker Arts Center, Dorothy House and the Land of OZ are vital to making this the best season yet for the program.”
For more information about Liberal, go to visitliberal.com. To discover more about the Sunflower Summer program, visit SunflowerSummer.org.
About Sunflower Summer:
Sunflower Summer is a program operated by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program aims to help Kansas families affordably explore the Sunflower State. The official Sunflower Summer mobile app is available on Apple and Android. More information can be found at SunflowerSummer.org.
It’s All About Hospitality…Although some may think of its name as a political statement, Liberal really got its name from a spirit of hospitality and generosity. In the 1880s, water was a rare commodity in southwest Kansas. Travelers and ranchers needed a place to rest their livestock and quench their thirst as they headed west. Available water was often very expensive.S.S. Rogers homesteaded this area, digging a well for his own use. Visitors were always granted permission to use the well and always offered to pay for the privilege. “Water is always free here,” was Rogers’ reply.Visitor’s replies of, “that’s mighty liberal of you,” helped the area become known as “The Liberal Well” and travelers were encouraged to stop. Just a few miles off the southern Santa Fe Trail route, Liberal became an important stop in the history of the westward migration. Rogers later added a goods store and some people decided to stay and farm this area. In 1886, he put a post office in his store and in 1888, the small community known as Liberal, KS was incorporated.Not long after, the railroad headed west and created a depot, bringing permanent commerce to the area. The two Rock Island Depot buildings, both fully restored, can still be enjoyed. The Greer Eating House, which was the restaurant and motel in the past, houses a restaurant and the VA Medical Clinic. The main depot building houses the Liberal Chamber of Commerce and includes an area dedicated to railroad memorabilia.Another piece of railroad history, 13 miles northeast of Liberal, is the Mighty Samson of the Cimarron, a 1,269 foot railroad bridge built in 1939 and considered an engineering marvel of its day.During World War II, Liberal was used as a training site for the U.S. Army Corps pilots. Planes would stop and refuel in Liberal in transit between the Pacific and Atlantic campaigns.
8 Things to Do in Liberal, Kansas, the Hometown of Dorothy Gale - https://t.co/cSFc0emSCo via @OlioInIowa
— Visit Liberal (@visitliberal) May 9, 2023
Liberal Farmers Market: May 1st- September 25th, 8AM-Noon
Good Day Kansas articule on Mid-America Air Museum
Dorothy's House and Land of Oz, Liberal, Kansas https://t.co/FlKCoqhE8k
— Visit Liberal (@visitliberal) May 9, 2023
Come join #VISITLIBERAL and KSN at the water fountain at 3rd and Kansas where KSN will broadcast live at 5 and 6 pm.
- Sunday, July 17, 4:15 p.m. Liberal Water Fountain
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International Pancake Day March 1st, 2022.
Photo credit: Bruce McPhail.
Visit Pancake Day Hall of Fame
