The presence of impact
By KRISTEN HOOPER
Director, Peabody Main Street Association
In the past few months I have traveled more than 1,000 miles spanning from southeast Kansas, northern Kansas, and eastern Kansas to western Kansas. Each journey provided opportunity which allowed me to witness the beautiful landscape our great state has to offer. Most importantly Peabody has had a presence and a voice in these various parts of the state.
My most recent venture was one to Garden City sponsored by Marion County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) as a Marion County representative at the Kansas Sampler Festival accompanied by Teresa Huffman.
The Kansas Sampler Festival celebrates rural culture by highlighting eight elements of Kansas: architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people.
This was the second and final year that the Kansas Sampler was to be held in Garden City at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
Even with storms hovering over western Kansas, 7,400 people came to enjoy and celebrate what Kansas has to see, do, taste, hear, and buy. Musicians, artists, products, and food vendors were available for all to enjoy as well as 130 Kansas communities there to inform the public about what their part of the Sunflower State has to offer.
"There was something special about this year's event. It feels like we are all maturing in our understanding of who we are as a state and what we have and how important it is to celebrate those things," said Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
This was my first time participating in this festival and I was truly excited to be there. The attendance was impressive and the attendees were honestly hungry for information about our great state.
Everyone who walked by the Marion County booth was greeted with a big "Welcome to Marion County" and a smile. Once initial contact was made, people began looking over the brochures that various communities throughout the county provided. As the pedestrians reviewed the brochures lots of them would say, "I have been there" or "That's a great event. We go every year."
As the stories and the "Hey, I've been there" comments kept coming I was impressed with how many people had visited Marion County but not just Marion County
As I worked the booth throughout the two days I heard wonderful stories from people from all over the state who had visited Peabody and had fond memories of doing so. Several people commented on the wonderful Fourth of July Celebration held each year and told me of how they would come with their family from wherever to celebrate with our community.
I heard many stories about persons who have shopped in the downtown and always ended with "what beautiful buildings there are in Peabody."
Numerous comments were made about the great restaurant on the corner of Main that truly serves a Peabody experience. These are just to name a few.
As the conversation would continue I was able to inform them of what we still have to offer and new things Peabody has to offer. We still have a one of a kind top notch Fourth of July Celebration, a beautiful downtown, and a wonderful restaurant
Peabody also has a new Christmas event, Bells, Boots & Buggies, a historic barn tour on May 28 and wonderful stores to shop in all year long.
After having the opportunity to represent all of Marion County I learned that this county has more to offer than most and that the communities throughout the county are not only unique to each other but throughout the state.
There is no way to measure an exact dollar impact that attending festivals has on a county or a community. However, if there were no participation at events and festivals there would be no impact to measure.
Having a presence at the Kansas Sampler Festival provided an impact that will be felt for years to come. People were introduced to the county who had never been here and some were reminded of all we have to offer. The sheer presence was the impact.
The Kansas Sampler Festival will be held in Concordia in 2008 and 2009, and will mark the first time the traveling festival will be held north of I-70.
