Ozsome Events

Pancake Day is always on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. It is a centuries-old-traditional holiday. In Old England it was customary for the housewives to drop whatever they were doing and hurry to the church at the tolling of the bell to be “shriven” of their sins.

In 1445, a housewife in Olney, England started baking her pancakes rather late. They were not quite finished when the church bell rang. Not wishing to leave her pancakes to burn she hurried to the “shriving” carrying her griddle and the pancakes with her.

In Liberal, Kansas, USA we heard of this 500 year event of pancake racing over a 415 yard coarse from the “town pump” to the church. In 1950, the challenge to participate in an international competition between the two cities was accepted by Reverend Ronald Collins, Vicar of Olney.

Over the years a three day celebration has grown up around the event in Liberal. It has been suggested that perhaps the Pancake Race with women of Olney has established a grass roots international understanding between people of the two countries. This might never have been possible to accomplish over the conference table at top-level diplomatic sessions… As someone in England said “Long may the race flourish as a relic of simple enjoyment from our colorful and robust past in this sophisticated and somewhat grim atomic age.”

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated each year on the weekend closest to May 5th. The celebration includes a Cinco de Mayo Queen Contest, a parade, bands, Folkloric Dances, hot pepper eating contest, salsa contest and lots of food and fun. The Cinco de Mayo committee, consisting of local volunteers, plans this cultural event to help unite the city of Liberal and provide a better quality of life.

This citywide event is held in July. Merchants all over town offer tremendous savings of up to 75% off. Some businesses open as early as 6:00a.m. and continue the sale throughout the weekend. The streets are blocked for accessibility for customers. Bazaar Day started over 30 years ago and has been a successful event each year.>

Liberal is the host city to the region’s only Five-State Free Fair. From high speed action on the race track to a relaxing evening on the Five Star State Fair

Midway, the Five State Free Fair offers attractions for the young and old alike. During the fair, which is over a week long, exhibitors fill the Seward County Activity Center, carnival rides are available on the Midway, concerts are held, races are run, rodeo performances are given, a livestock show is held, quilts are exhibited, a Fair Queen contest takes place, lots of food is available, and the 4-H exhibits are on display. The Fair is truly a five-state event, with exhibitors participating from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Five-State Free Fair is held each August.

The annual Chili Cook-off, sponsored by KSCB Radio Station, gives businesses, organizations and individuals the opportunity to participate in a chili cooking contest. Each participant is judged on the taste of their chili and their presentation. The public is invited to purchase tasting kits and vote for their favorite chili. This event is held at Bluebonnet Park in conjunction with the Duck Race.

The annual Duck Race, sponsored by the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, is fun for the entire family. Ducks are adopted by the citizens of the Liberal area, who cheer their ducks to the finish line in hopes of winning some great prizes.

An end of the summer visit to Southwest Kansas wouldn’t be complete without attending the Little World’s Fair in Kismet. This small town 20 miles east of Liberal on Highway 54 puts on a really big celebration every Labor Day Weekend. A truly family event, the Little World’s Fair, sponsored by the Kismet Lions Club, kicks off Saturday evening with an old-fashioned street dance featuring a live band. Sunday afternoon is filled with activities. Labor Day kicks off bright and early with 5 and 10k runs and breakfast followed by old-timers registration. A horseshoe tournament and parade complete the morning’s activities and then everyone goes to the free ham and bean feed followed by many family friendly activities in the afternoon.

Ozfest, which is held the second weekend in October, has drawn more than 20,000 people in years past. The event attracts fans, “Oz-scholars” and cast members from the movie. Several of the original Munchkins have attended the event, along with Robert Baum, the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, (creator of Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz). Activities at the event include a downtown parade, appearances by the Munchkins, a Toto Trot, look –alike contests, an Oz theme hat contest, and a showing of the movie at the end of the festival.

Businesses in Liberal unveil their fall and Christmas merchandise during the citywide Holiday Open House. The Open House begins in November on a Thursday evening and runs through Saturday. Merchants offer specials, refreshments and door prizes during this weekend which kicks off the Holiday shopping season.

The French Market offers gift shops featuring handmade and donated items as well as a large silent auction and two luncheons. The French market is hosted by the Baker Arts Foundation and is held each November in support of the center.

The First Saturday in December offers many ways to celebrate the Christmas Season. The day begins with shopping, and extends through the evening with street entertainment, carriage rides and a lighted parade, which is sponsored by the Southwest Daily Times.

The Folk Art Festival takes place the first full weekend in December. Over 100 booths featuring homemade craft items and food fill the Seward County Activity Center. This fair sponsored by SPBH, is open to the public free of charge.