Emporia Off The Beaten Path

On the country roads around Emporia don't be surpised if you see deer like the one that came to drink at my pond. I like to take my binoculars and drive around looking for different kinds of birds using my truck as a mobile bird blind.

The farmers market is across from the post office in a parking lot. It is open on Saturday mornings during Summer. When it gets very hot they open it on Wednesday nights for the cool of the evening. To kick off the first Wednesday night of the farmer's market in Summer of 2002 there were musicians there.

Every Spring the garden club in Emporia has a plant sale. Great plants at good prices. The money they raise is used to buy saplings trees to give the school children at Arbor Day. I always buy my tomatoes from them and as many flowers as I can afford.

On May 5th, 1862 outnumbered forces of army of Mexico defeated the troops of Napolean's army of France. This battle was key in helping create an independent country of Mexico. It is celebrated in Emporia with a fiesta. There are a few photos from the fiesta in a travelogue.

Pancake breakfasts to benefit charity are a tradition in Emporia. The Kiwanis hold one of the largest pancake feeds in town. It is a tradition now for 54 years. Churches, scout groups, social clubs, and the senior citizens also have pancake feeds. It is a good way to get a nice breakfast for only a few dollars while at same time helping raise money for a cause.

The annual sidewalk sale is each year the last Wednesday in July. The streets are closed and merchants bring their goods out in to the street and put low prices on them. The merchants sell things they want to get rid of from the store and the people get good bargains. I like the side walk sale but it gets smaller each year since there is a big WalMart and shopping mall on West side of Emporia.

Lyon County Fair is each year around the beginning of August. Most fair exhibits are free. The arena with the demolition derby, mudathon, tractor pull, bull riding, and shows has admission cost. I like to look at the 4H exhibits the kids make and see the animals. There is also a carnival at the fair. This picture is from top of the ferris wheel looking down on the carnival.

The first settlers in Emporia were Welsh immigrants. The Howe house is one of oldest houses in Emporia and was built by a Welsh stone mason. It is on Logan Avenue a few blocks east of Commercial Street. The Howe family gave this home and the land to the Emporia Historical Society. You can arrange a tour of the house by asking at the Lyon County History Museum next door to the Library building on 6th Street. I went here for a historical demonstration in October and will put photos of that in a travelogue.