EudoraFest will return this year with cars, crafts, concerts, and a cruise and chili event.
A car cruise throughout town and a chili cookout will kick off the weekend festivities on Oct. 3. Vendors will also open Friday night rather than only Saturday in hopes of bringing more people out, organizer Barbara Tuttle said. There will also be a band, Exit 13, Friday night, so it’s recommended that attendees bring lawn chairs to sit in CPA Park.
Oct. 4 will mark the fest’s 29th year, and they’re promising to bring the same traditions they’ve become known for – cars, trucks, and vendors selling handmade crafts and goods. Last year the festival had a record number of cars with over 70 attending Saturday’s car show, organizer Rob Wiley said. It will be $10 to register a vehicle and people can do so beforehand or on the day of the event.
Live music will also be ongoing throughout Saturday with awards for the car show at 3 p.m. This year trophies will again be made by the high school welding classes with various car parts.
Concessions by the Methodist Church will also make their usual appearance and are likely to sell out of their famous apple dumplings and chicken and noodles. There will also be other food vendors on Saturday, as well as a cake walk at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The fest will continue its annual tradition of a scavenger hunt for kids starting at the fire truck. After kids find five vendors, they receive a coupon for a free one-topping personal size pizza from Gambino’s.
Wiley and Tuttle said the goal of EudoraFest has always been to promote downtown, and while things have come and gone, the purpose has stayed the same. They want families who may be new to the area to know that it’s a family entertainment event that gives them the chance to spend time outside and explore various businesses downtown.
The event started almost 30 years as a way to celebrate Eudora’s German heritage, and has always been centered around craft vendors. In the later years, it became focused on the car show, as well, Tuttle said.
Vendors interested in attending either Friday or Saturday or those interested in registering in the car show can go to the EudoraFest Facebook page, email [email protected] or call 785-542-1751 and leave a message.
Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help with planning and day-of set up. Those interested can reach out to the same phone, email or Facebook page.
Here is the full schedule, but organizers noted it is subject to change:
Oct. 3
5 – 8 p.m.: Chili supper – CPA concession stand
6-8 p.m.: Car cruise
7-9 p.m.: Music by Exit 13 – CPA Gazebo
Oct 4
9 a.m. – National Anthem by Dani Tompkins – CPA Park
– Vendor area opens
– Car show begins
– Gary & Dani Show
– Path to Pizza begins at the firetruck
11 a.m. – Cake Walk – CPA Gazebo
12 p.m. – Delta Haze – CPA Gazebo
3 p.m. – Car show awards – 9th & Main
4 p.m. – EudoraFest ends