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Traveling photo exhibit and activities to call attention to dementia
A traveling photo exhibit, public reception, and photo walk fundraiser being planned for June by a graduate of Pittsburg State University will highlight perspectives and insights of individuals and families impacted by dementia.
Fishing For a Good Time
On an early spring day that seemed made for fishing, Tom Pebley, of Kansas City, cast his lure into one of the more than 1,000 strip pits that dot Crawford County.
Pop-up exhibit: An immigrant miners prized possessions
A new exhibit showcases items an immigrant traveling from Europe would have brought to the New World.
Kansas City artist’s ‘Real Abstraction’ exhibit opens February 15 at PSU
An exhibit “Real Abstraction” by artist Nick Gadbois will open at the Harry Krug Gallery in Porter Hall, home to the Pittsburg State University Department of Art, on Feb. 15.
Self-Guided Tours
Historically preserved buildings with beautiful architecture. Gorilla statues and other monuments, plus murals. Whatever your interest, Crawford County, Kansas has it.
Exhibit features portraits of superstars
An exhibit by celebrated photographers open Monday, February 6 at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg State University, 1711 S. Homer. Images from…
Request Explorer’s Guide
A FREE guide with tips on where to drink, eat, play, stay & get cool photos.
Our Story
Southeast Kansas once looked and acted like the rest of the state, with prairies and farms as far as the eye could see. The search for coal changed everything.
Unique habitat for outdoor recreation
This corner of the state was once primarily rolling fields of prairie grasses with wooded areas only along creeks, sitting on the edge of the Ozark Plateau.
Beginner’s guide to indoor track meet preparation
Eight weeks. Eight track meets. From February to March 2018, the coordinator for the Robert W. Plaster Center walked the equivalent of going from Pittsburg to Greensburg, Kansas – and back. Most likely, he walked even longer than that.
National Pie Day (1/23): The Best Pies in Crawford County
Originally posted January 20, 2017 to celebrate National Pie Day on January 23 As David Mamet wrote in Boston Marriage,…
National Bootlegger’s Day (1/17): Staying Wet in a Dry Land
Rich soil and wine making traditions of immigrants positioned Eastern Kansas to rival California’s Wine Country. 67 years of Kansas Prohibition changed that.
National Spaghetti Day (1/4): History of Pallucca’s Meat Market and Deli
Originally posted January 3, 2017 To celebrate National Spaghetti Day on January 4, we took a visit to Pallucca’s Meat…
9 ways to celebrate a Crawford County Christmas
The holiday season is very busy in our corner of Kansas. If none of the activities or events listed here…
Gorilla Capital of the World
What started as a pep club in 1920, then became the nation’s only college with a gorilla as its mascot, has now grown into a phenomenon.
National Author’s Day
Originally posted: October 1, 2017 On National Author’s Day, November 1, we’re featuring our favorite places to check out new…
Pumpkin Patches
Crawford County has three pumpkin patches open through October, each offering something different for visitors.
Experience Crawford County, one day at a time
Ask someone what would make a good day trip, and thoughts may stray to a ticketed attraction that draws thousands of visitors. A zoo, perhaps. Or a botanical garden. You won’t find those in Crawford County.
Little Balkans Days Carnival, PASSPORT Events & Train
The 37th Annual Little Balkans Days Festival in Pittsburg, Kansas is scheduled for August 29 through September 4, 2022 Numerous activities will be available, including an Arts, Crafts & Food Show, the Folk Life Music Festival, and numerous PASSPORT events.
Plan a Bucket List Trip to Pittsburg
We asked a travel writer to take a look around town, let us know how her day went, and what some of her favorite places were…
Fried chicken paradise
Since the 1930’s travelers have asked why fried chicken is so popular in the area. It’s a story about a delicious, inexpensive family meal, and survival.
Painting a Picture: Pittsburg’s Art Scene
When a The New York Times writer stopped by Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center in Pittsburg on the advice of a local, who suggested he see Pittsburg Community Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” while he was in town, he was unprepared for what he stumbled upon: A sold-out show. And it was a great one.
National Nature Photography Day – June 15
As a child growing up in Crawford County, the day that the National Geographic magazine arrived at our home each month was the day that I curled up on the couch and traveled the world.
Student-run baseball club teams play for the love of the game, even in the World Series
Originally posted: May 13, 2018 PITTSBURG, Kan. – For the first time, several local high school graduates are representing Pittsburg…
Big Brutus
The world’s largest surviving electric shovel sits just across the county line.
Going Cross Country
U.S. Highway 69 mostly follows what was once known as Texas Road, and was used to drive cattle herds to…
Gus the Gorilla explores Southeast Kansas coloring book
Join the Pittsburg State mascot, Gus the Gorilla, as he explores Pittsburg and surrounding communities. Learn about attractions, parks, and…
Plaster Center: If you build it, they will come
This week, the Plaster Center staff are rolling out the “green carpet” to vendors and attendees of the 36th Annual Four State Farm Show at what just might be the largest event that the building has hosted to date.
Big Kansas Road Trip moves to Southeast Kansas
From May 5-8, 2022, the Big Kansas Road Trip will showcase Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford counties in Southeast Kansas.
Big Brutus to host Big Iron Overland Rally
Big Brutus National Historic Site will host the Big Iron Overland Rally from May 14-16, 2021.
Little Balkans Days set for Labor Day Weekend
After canceling the Little Balkans Days Festival in 2020, the Festival Committee has announced the event will return in 2021.
100 year celebration of the Amazon Army
An exhibit at Miners Hall Museum in Franklin tells this story, which received national attention, and honors these women who marched to end unfair labor practices in local mines.
Fictional tale inspired by Southeast Kansas fried chicken
Learn the real story behind “The Chicken Sisters”, as well as the real story behind Southeast Kansas chicken: Kansas fried chicken drives narrative of novel.
Bootlegging exhibit comes to Pittsburg museum
Bootlegging in the Kansas Balkans in the 19th and 20th centuries comes alive for the first time in an exhibit at the Crawford County Historical Museum in Pittsburg.
The Coldest Gorilla Century Ever
More than 460 cyclists took part in an annual ride through Crawford and Cherokee counties. Normally held in September, this year’s ride was in October – and it was cold.
Crawford County boutique named the 2020 Best Store Front Boutique of the Year in Kansas
After more than 250,000 votes were cast by shoppers, Pearls & Curls Boutique on the Girard, Kansas square was named the Best Store Front to Shop in Kansas.
Bicycle Routes through Southeast Kansas getting Wayfinding signage
Nearly 500 miles of the national U.S. Bicycle Route System is being signed through Kansas, including USBR-76, which primarily follows the same route as the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail and Trans Am Bike Race through the southeast corner of the state.
Popular roadside attraction now in Frontenac
A fiberglass Sinclair DINO (pronounced DYE-NO) now lives at Raider Express in Frontenac, Kansas. Around 580 DINOs are on display any given year – 16 in Kansas.
New historical marker at Lord’s Diner promotes Jefferson Highway
A new marker at the Lord’s Diner in Downtown Pittsburg hopes to be a reminder about a mostly forgotten piece of transportation history. The non-profit kitchen is located in what was originally built around 1915 as the Jefferson Highway Garage.
Southeast Kansas “chicken wars” makes international headlines
For a short time on April 30, 2020, “America’s ‘fried chicken war'” was a top headline on the homepage of BBC.com, one of the most visited news sites across the globe.
Outdoor recreation an option for physical distancing
Enjoy a natural habitat unlike the rest of Kansas at more than 30 community parks, 50 miles of shoreline along 1,500 acres of public water, and several trails.
Beach area to be focus of annual July 2 celebration at Crawford State Park
An Old Fashioned Independence celebration will once again be held at Crawford State Park on July 2, but this year it will look a little different to those who have been before.
Then and Now: Crawford County’s Department Stores
Despite competition with online shopping options, today’s shoppers are still heavily reliant on brick and mortar department stores. Historically, department…
A New Century of the Crawford County Fair
The Crawford County Fair is celebrating Year 1 of a new century. 2017 marks the 101st annual Crawford County Fair…
Lace up your shoes! Running in Crawford County
Crawford County is home to many recreational and competitive runners. From those who are looking to get fit (or find…
Happy Walnut Day
Happy Walnut Day! We’re nuts about our small towns in Crawford County and on National Walnut Day we’re celebrating Walnut,…
A Complete Collection of Beer On Tap
Downtown Pittsburg’s 5th Street Bar and Grill is home to an incredible selection of local and national beer brands. With…
Treasuring Local Art
Often encompassing the spirit and uniqueness of the community, local art is something to treasure. Since last spring, downtown Pittsburg…
National Meat Week
Meat lovers rejoice! It’s the one week of the year that is all about your favorite savory, smoky, meaty meals.…
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