Big time in the old town tonight

The riders who have their butts on a bike seat since 6 a.m. have been crossing the finish line this evening in the Dirty Kanza 200 – as in 200 miles through the Flint Hills. Heard that some of them may have had a little run-in with some weather in Morris County.

People wait with cameras and cowbells for the riders to sail in. It’s a noisy, cowbell-ringing, hand-clapping, cheering group each time a rider approaches the finish line.

As the riders came in, the names flashed on the St. Andrew’s sign.

A beer garden is in the street, food and other vendors scattered down the block.

But wait, there’s more…

Inside the Emporia Arts Center, other stuff was going on.

Tonight was the reception for the Emporia Camera Club’s showing of Flint Hills photographs in conjunction with the Symphony in the Flint Hills which takes place next weekend in Wabaunsee County.

Herb Hobson visits with Ann Birney.

 

Two of Dave’s four photos in the show.

And – also in the Arts Center…

A display about Stringtown, the early black community in Emporia.

Oh, and there’s more…

In the Arts Center’s auditorium, W. C. Jameson performed for attendees of the Tallgrass Writing Workshop. Jameson is the author of 60 (!) books. (I don’t even know how that’s possible. Obviously he’s smarter than I am – and way better at time management.)

So – the 800 block of Commercial Street is the place to be tonight. The Dirty Kanza riders will be coming in most of the night.