ELK FALLS — Nov. 21 and 22, Friday and Saturday, the tiny but mighty town of Elk Falls will be flush with excitement as it celebrates 30 years of Outhouse Festivities.
What began as a quirky community idea has grown into a beloved Kansas tradition - full of laughter, local craftsmanship, and good, old-fashioned, small-town fun.
Wander the streets and discover more than 20 creative outhouses, each decorated with humor, history and heart. Attendees can cast a vote for their favorite outhouse- and don’t forget to grab a map and an outhouse button at the headquarters, downtown. One can also pick up a 30-year Outhouse T-shirt to commemorate the occasion.
Step into the warmth of community spirit with a Craft and Quilt Show featuring a splendid array of handmade treasures - from carved wooden utensils, repurposed clothing, and wooden toys to knitted and crocheted items, smoked cheese, welded horseshoe art and much more.
Vote for your favorite quilt, then stroll over to see what’s cooking — or smoking — from local food vendors. Try hearty soups, BBQ, chicken and noodles, bierocks, burgers, and pigs in a blanket, with desserts galore, including pies, apple dumplings, and silver dollar pancakes with toppings.
Don’t miss the 1872 Keefe Homestead, charmingly decorated for Christmas, and the Prairie Gem One Room Schoolhouse will be open for visitors. At Elk Falls Pottery, Steve and Jane Fry celebrate 49 years of craftsmanship, offering a special Christmas mug and ornament, a 30th Anniversary Outhouse mug and their signature stoneware pottery.
Check out Ivy Barn Designs for inspirational jewelry, leather bookmarks, chai tea mix, candied pecans, kettle corn, and more delightful gifts. Browse garage sales for antiques and collectibles, and admire cedar log furniture perfect for your home or cabin.
Saturday brings extra excitement with the Beyond Reach bluegrass band, and a Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show, filling the town with music and chrome. And for the kids — and the young in heart — the Redneck Slide promises pure laughter.
So all are welcome to come, stroll, shop, eat, laugh, and enjoy the friendly charm of Elk Falls — where for 30 years, folks have proven that celebrating outhouses is truly a gas.
