10th Annual Amelia Earhart Festival is a hit in Atchison, Kan.
The small town of Atchison, Kan., a charming and historic city on the bluffs of the Missouri River in the northeast corner of Kansas, is home to the birthplace of the world?s most famous aviatrix, Amelia Earhart. As a tribute to their most famous town daughter, the city hosts a yearly weekend long ?Amelia Earhart Festival,? which took place on July 14 and 15.
The idea for the festival began when the town decided to celebrate the 100th birthday of Amelia Earhart in 1996. The first festival included food, fun and fireworks and was originally planned as a one-time event.
The festival turned out to be such a big hit that it became an annual event and a tradition. Thousands of Earhart admirers travel to the Kansas town each year to celebrate and mingle with other fans. The fireworks show is one of the highlights of the festival, as festival-goers all make sure they obtain a prime spot for the show directly on the banks of the Missouri river.
Highlights of the 2006 festival included a Friday evening lakeside concert, a downtown fair with arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, food vendors, children?s activities, panel discussion with authors and researchers, a luncheon honoring the 2006 recipient of the Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award, a speakers? symposium featuring women of achievement, a number of exciting carnival rides, aerobatic performances and a spectacular fireworks display over the Missouri River.
Amelia Earhart?s accomplishments will forever be remembered and continue to influence others to achieve their dreams. For more information on the festival and Amelia?s birthplace, please visit http://www.atchisonkansas.net.