Kansas Sampler Festival ends with vows to keep exploring state

The Kansas Sampler Festival ended its 2016 event on a soggy but mighty note.

Rains swept through the grounds in Winfield early Sunday and again in the afternoon, officially ending the festival about an hour earlier than planned.

During the heaviest downpour, three goats escaped from an exhibit and needed to be rounded up, according to Dave Webb, an exhibitor from Protection.

By 2:30 p.m., the rains had left the area, but because of all the water on the grounds and in some tents, some of the booths and exhibits closed early.

Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, which promotes the festival, joked with some Kansans gathered Sunday before the festival that “if we need an emergency weather plan, here is the plan: Meet at the wine and beer tent.”

She was cheered.

Of course, caution was followed as the rains grew from sprinkles to a downpour.

Penner told festival-goers: “You are the reason we do this festival and why this all works.”

The Kansas Explorers Club sang “Home on the Range” reggae-style.

Plans are to create an annual Kansas Road Trip beginning in 2018 that will encourage exploration of specific regions of the state.

The festival, which ended Sunday, included more than 300 exhibits from 150 communities.

It was about people who explore the 83,000 square miles of Kansas and know its secrets and landscape.

Wichitan Larry Hornbaker, a member of the Explorers Club, has made it his quest to drive at least 25 miles of unpaved roads in each of the state’s 105 counties.

On Sunday, Hornbaker said he was nearing his goal, having made it to 92 counties.

He’s saving Butler County for last because it is the largest.

“The one I won’t be able to do is Wyandotte,” he said, explaining that the county has a lot of pavement.

Other Kansans have made it a quest to see each of the 105 county courthouses or eat at local restaurants or do wine or beer tours. They get innovative in their quests, Penner said.

The festival was created 27 years ago to help Kansans get to know their state through travel, food and things to do.

“Explorers know the eight rural culture elements,” Penner said. “That’s art, architecture, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history and people. That’s what we look for in every town – even if there is no grocery.

“We dare to do the dirt and feel good about spending money in small towns. We talk to the locals. We have fun. That’s a big part of this, especially when we are all together doing this … keep doing this year round. It makes a difference in Kansas.”

Next year’s festival will also be in Winfield.

This story was originally published May 8, 2016 at 6:02 PM with the headline "Kansas Sampler Festival ends with vows to keep exploring state."