Independence, Kansas
Upcoming Events in Independence Kansas
April
| 13 - 20 |
Verdigris Valley Art Exhibit
- Regional artists display work - sculpture, oils, acrylics, pencil, charcoal, and pottery. Wed-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 1-4pm. Address: Independence Historical Museum & Art Center, 123 N. 8th , Independence, Kansas |
May
| 1 - 4 |
William Inge Theatre Festival
- William Inge Center for the Arts | Independence Community College | 1057 W. College Ave. | Independence, Kansas 67301 Phone: 620.332.5491 | info@ingecenter.org Annual four-day celebration of America's finest playwrights and theatre artists, where Broadway's and Hollywood's brightest stars meet theatre lovers from across the country. with playwright Honoree Carlyle Brown WEDNESDAY, MAY 9: Are you now or have you ever been...By Carlyle Brown. A fictional account of the demons and dilemmas faced by Langston Hughes while attempting to write a poem on the night before his appearance before the Senate Permanent-Sub-Committee on Investigations on Un-American Activities, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Wednesday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m., William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College. Thursday May 10 at 7:30 p.m., William Inge Theater, Independence Community College. THURSDAY, MAY 10: An Evening with Mr. Inge Live performances of scenes from selected plays by William Inge, with context and comment on the career Independence's native son journey from Independence to literary stage stardom. Thursday May 10 at 7:30 p.m., William Inge Theater, Independence Community College. FRIDAY, MAY 11: Down in Mississippi By Carlyle Brown. Setting: The Freedom Summer 1964 campaign to register African-Americans to vote in the dangerous, segregated world of Mississippi. Three young civil rights activists leave their safe northern homes to try to change the world, and discover that before they can change the world they will have to change themselves. A celebration of a movement that gave birth to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voter’s Rights Act of 1965. Friday May 11 at 7:30 p.m., William Inge Theater, Independence Community College. SATURDAY, MAY 12: Tribute to Carlyle Brown A multi-media presentation, featuring video interviews with Brown and his artistic collaborators, and live scenes from his great plays,performed by professional guest artists. Mr. Brown will receive the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in the American Theater Award, at the conclusion of the performance. Saturday, May 12, at 7:30p.m., William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College. Fringe at the Inge Each night, commune with our guest artists and theater buffs from across the nationat a local gathering spot after each evening performance. Just purchase a beverage, no ticket required! Locations will vary nightly. Daytime Events During the day on Thursday through Saturday (May 10-12), the Inge Festival buzzes with activity. These include: New Play Lab readings Workshops and Panels The Scholars' Conference Tours of the William Inge Family Home Tours of historic Independence, with reference to influences on Inge's works Picnic in Riverside Park E-mail info@ingefestival.org to join our mailing list for the latest updates. Saturday, March 29 9a.m.-4p.m. Inge Collection open to visitors at ICC Library 8a.m.-4p.m. Registration Margaret Goheen Foyer, William Inge Theatre 8a.m.-4p.m. Registration Margaret Goheen Foyer, William Inge Theatre 8a.m.-4p.m. Registration Margaret Goheen Foyer, William Inge Theatre 9a.m.-4p.m. Inge Collection open to visitors at ICC Library. With periodic presentation on Inge by Inge biographer, Ralph Voss. 9a.m.-4p.m. Inge Collection open to visitors at ICC Library. With periodic presentations on Inge by Inge biographer, Ralph Voss. 9a.m.-Noon Inge Collection open to visitors at ICC Library. With periodic presentations on Inge by Inge biographer, Ralph Voss. 9:30-10:50a.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 9:30-10:50a.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 9:30-10:50a.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 11a.m. Tour of Inge’s Independence and 11:15a.m. Scenes at the Inge House 11a.m.-12:20p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film 11a.m.-12:20p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 11a.m.-12:20p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 12:20-1:45 p.m. Lunch on your own in Inge’s Independence (Free Downtown shuttle leaving at 12:20 and returning at 1:45 p.m.) 12:20-1:45 p.m. Lunch on your own in Inge’s Independence (Free Downtown shuttle leaving at 12:20 and returning at 1:45 p.m.) 12:20-1:45p.m. Picnic Riverside Park 12:30-1:45p.m. Scenes at the Inge House 12:30-1:45p.m. Scenes at the Inge House 2:00-3:20p.m.Workshops & panels on theatre and film 2p.m. Scholars’ Conference Presentations 2-7:30p.m. Registration Margaret Goheen Foyer, William Inge Theatre 2-3:15p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film 2-3:15p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film 2p.m. Tour of Inge’s Independence 2p.m. Tour of Inge’s Independence 3:30-4:45p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 3:30-4:45p.m. Workshops & panels on theatre & film. 5 – 7p.m. Dinner on your own in Inge’s Independence 6-7p.m. Cocktails 7p.m. Gala Dinner Independence Civic Center, lower level of Memorial Hall. 5 – 7p.m. Dinner on your own in Inge’s Independence 7:30p.m. Concert reading of BecauseHeCan by Arthur Kopit, William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College 7:30p.m. Concert Reading of The Great Barrier, by Mat Smart, Otis Guernsey New Voices winner, with award presentation, Independence High School Performing Arts Center 7:30p.m. 33rd Annual William Inge Theatre Festival Tribute, Honoring Arthur Kopit,William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College Address: 1057 W College Ave, Independence Community College , Independence, Kansas |
| 18 | 
Putt Fore A Purpose - Wilson Medical Center Foundation
- The Wilson Medical Center Foundation would like to invite you to participate in the Annual "Putt Fore a Purpose" charity golf tournament.The 2023 tournament will be held at the Independence Country Club golf course on Saturday, May 20, 2023. On-site registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a tee time of 10:00 a.m. Due to the ever-changing needs in healthcare, our community has been devastated by the overwhelming increase of demands for continued education, cutting-edge technology, and funding to ensure our staff and patients have proper protective equipment. Proceeds from this event will contribute to local scholarships, state of the art technology and equipment, and education for patients to aid in making their recovery a top priority. The Wilson Medical Center Foundation is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible. Should you have any questions concerning sponsorships or the tournament, feel free to call the Foundation office at 620-325-8400. Address: Independence Country Club, 2824 Country Club Circle , Independence, Kansas |
June
| 1 |
Prairie Days Festival
- This all day event features living historians in all of our historic buildings and on the grounds bringing the 19th century to life before your very eyes. The event runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. With music, food vendors, craft demonstrators, living historians, a Little House character competition a day on the prairie is great for the whole family. Our full schedule of Prairie Days activities will be posted on the website as we are closer to the festival. Keep checking for updates. Admission: $6 adults, $3 children under 18, $3 seniors 65 and older. We do not offer group rates for Prairie Days. The funds raised from Prairie Days admissions and sales in our gift shop and additional donations made that day help us keep the museum doors open Address: 2507 County Rd 3000, Little House on the Prairie , Independence, Kansas |
July
| 4 |
Fourth of July Fireworks
- Celebrate your Independence at with a fireworks show at dusk. Always on July 4th; rain date would be the following day. Address: Riverside Park, Park Blvd/Oak Street , Independence, Kansas |
| 13 - 29 |
Museum Quilt Show
- Quilts owned by the museum will be on display. Address: 123 N. 8th , Independence, Kansas |
| 24 - 29 |
Montgomery County 4-H Fair
- Bring the whole family for a great day of fun and excitement. The 4H exhibits are wonderful, and a pleasure to see what the kids do with their projects. Lots of food, rides and entertainment. Commercial Vendors, Crafts, Designated Parking, Children's Entertainment, Entertainment Free, Food, Handicapped Access, Midway Rides, Music. Address: Fairgrounds, 410 Peter Pan Road, Independence, KS 67301 , Independence, Kansas |
August
| 22 | 
Street Dance
- FREE Street Dance - Come to downtown Independence and enjoy great food, music, and dancing! This is a family friendly event, no alcohol allowed. The 100 block of West Myrtle will be blocked off for the evening. Put on your dancing shoes, bring your lawn chairs, and be ready to listen to some great music! Check out this link, www.amandacramermusic.com for a sneak peek of one of the artists that's going to be performing. Also, vending the event will be Chickhoovenswine BBQ Catering & Vending! Check out their website for a sneak peak at some great Kansas City style BBQ! www.bbqrules.com Address: 100 Block W. Myrtle , Independence, Kansas |
October
| 21 | 
Germanfest
- Celebrating our German heritage with German music, German food, Kids area and hayrack rides. 4 - 11 P.M. Great family atmosphere.Address: Riverside Park , Independence, Kansas |
| 18 - 26 | 
Neewollah
- The largest annual celebration in southeastern Kansas has come a long way since its beginning in 1919 as a way to keep playful pranksters out of mischief on Halloween night. For one full week, Neewollah entertains people from all walks of life, and Independence, a town of around 11,000, becomes a city of over 80,000.Neewollah offers musical stage shows, queen competition and coronation, carnival, concessions, street acts, artists alley, and top performers in the entertainment world. Past performers include Patty Loveless, Oak Ridge Boys, and Smash Mouth! The festival, normally held the last full week of October, is topped off by one of the biggest and grandest parades ever, a two hour kaleidoscope of music, color, pageantry and just good old fun! (Have you figured out what Neewollah stands for? It's Halloween spelled backwards!) Neewollah Events Arts & Crafts Show - Bandstand Acts Carnival - Certified 5/10K & Fun Run/Walk Chili Cook-Off and Fun Day - Food Vendors Marching Band Festival - Medallion Hunt Musical - HONK! Parades - Doo Dah, Kiddie & Grand Parade Professional Show - James Wesley Queen Neelah EVENTS INFO = www.neewollah.com/Events-217.asp For more information on this great festival go to www.neewollah.com Address: Penn & Myrtle St. Independence, Kansas , Independence, Kansas |
November
| 4 |
Independence Christmas Parade
- Christmas parade lights up the night. 5:30pm following the Merchants' Holiday Open House from 1-5pm. Address: Pennsylvania Ave, Downtown , Independence, Kansas |
| 4 |
Merchant Holiday Open House
- Local merchants open their doors for a fun day of Christmas shopping and giveaways. 1am-5pm. Christmas parade follows at 5:30. Ph: 620-331-2300 (Always call and confirm events) |
December
| 23 |
Independence Historical Museum Arts & Crafts Fair
- Area arts and crafts available in an elegant setting. 10am-4pm. Address: 123 N 8th , Independence, Kansas |