Frontenac Homecoming
Held annually in early June, Frontenac Homecoming features arts and crafts, carnival and carnival rides, street dance featuring ethnic music, a variety of competitions, family gatherings, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Frontenac School Reunion, the Catholic Church Anniversary and performances by the John Yoger Polka Band. Events for all ages as friends celebrate the history of this old mining town.
Arma V-J Homecoming
Held annually the second full weekend of August, the Arma V-J Homecoming is the most continuously celebrated V-J parade and celebration in the United States. The event features arts and crafts, motorcycle show and competition, veteran’s parade, carnival and rides, and tractor pull. Arma V-J Homecoming is home to Kansas’ Largest Mud Volleyball Tournament. This wildly popular event features over 1,500 participants, 400 teams and divisions for all age groups.
Little Balkans Days, Pittsburg
Held annually on Labor Day Weekend, the history, heritage, art and culture that is unique to Southeast Kansas in relationship to the Balkans region in Europe is celebrated. Events begin on Friday with a Senior King-Queen Coronation, a Big Band Swing Dance and Cruise Night. Saturday features, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, car and motorcycle show, quilt show, doll show, model train show, carnival and rides, train rides on 1950s era coaches, homemade pie contest, chili cook-off, salsa cook-off, buffalo wing competition, homemade wine competition and model plane exhibition, live music on the main stage with a headlining act providing music for the large street dance and a second live music stage featuring polka music. The Gorilla Century 100-mile bike ride from Pittsburg, through Cherokee and Crawford Counties and back to Pittsburg is held in conjunction with Little Balkans Days.
Walnut Homecoming
Held annually on Labor Day Weekend, the Walnut Homecoming and Labor Day Celebration features a library open house, baby contest, parade, kiddie tractor pull, horseshoe tournament, goat wrangling, kids races at the ball field, greased pig contest, street dance and garden tractor pull.
Cherokee Homecoming
Held annually on the first full weekend of September, the Cherokee Homecoming features arts and crafts, food, street dance, a variety of competitions, family gatherings and events for all ages.
Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days
Held annually on the second full weekend of September, Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days features arts and crafts, tractor pull, parade, a battle of the bands, a variety of competitions, family gatherings, and events for all ages.
McCune Fall Festival and Homecoming
Held annually on the third full weekend of September, McCune’s Fall Festival and Homecoming features arts and crafts, street dance, softball tournament, a variety of competitions, family gatherings, and events for all ages.
Greenbush Day
Held annually on the third Sunday in September, the St. Aloysius Historical Society hosts Greenbush Day as a tribute to the Greenbush history and heritage featuring a fishing contest, hog roast, arts and crafts, music and museum tours.
Festa Italiana, Frontenac
Held annually in September, Festa Italiana started in 1999 as a small Italian food and heritage festival and has grown to now include food and music from about a dozen nationalities represented in this community. Cooks sell samples of their best ancestral or ethnic recipes, while local musical groups perform. The festival grows every year, and now attracts thousands of hungry visitors, who appreciate the festive yet relaxed atmosphere as they make their choices from the food tents then gather on picnic blankets or tables, and enjoy entertainment. Many families cook up as much food as they can and offer samples to all those in attendance. Sample a wide variety of delicacies only available once a year. Proceeds go to the Frontenac Education Foundation to be used as scholarships for graduating seniors. A silent auction and bingo games round out the event.
Girard Fall Festival and Homecoming
Held annually in early October, the Girard Fall Festival and Homecoming has grown into a large gathering of family and friends one last time before the cold weather sets in on Southeast Kansas and features arts and crafts, carnival and rides, street dance, variety of competitions including skateboarding, beach ball volleyball, Hillbilly Chili Challenge and metal pedal tractor pull, family gatherings, and events for all ages.
