K-96 June Jaunt 2012 Recap: Leoti

As we begin our journey in planning the 2013 K-96 June Jaunt, we have taken the time to reflect about all the fun we had in 2012 with the first K-96 June Jaunt! If you missed any of the fun, be sure to follow our recap series!

Residents and visitors alike enjoyed the activities in Leoti during the first K-96 June Jaunt. The weekend was full of shopping and perusing stores in Leoti and enjoying time outdoors in one form or another. Many visitors enjoyed the canopy of trees by our county courthouse during the craft and demonstration fair where they learned about rope making, the job of a farrier, and were able to buy baked goods and weaved wheat décor. The tours of the Historic Washington Ames House drew a large crowd on Saturday morning and afternoon. The Washington Ames house recently underwent a beautiful restoration. In fact, it received its first layer of tinted primer on the Friday of the K-96 June Jaunt. Leoti’s geocache/questing was hidden just outside of the Washington Ames House.

Saturday evening folks gathered from all around to watch some of the oldest form of rural entertainment – broncs, bulls, and cowboys competing in the Cole Hudson Memorial Rough Stock Challenge. Many of the participants and spectators braved the weather as a dirt storm rolled along K-96 to see the challenge out to the end. There was laughter echoing from the First Presbyterian Church all weekend as the Wichita County Arts Alliance performed their annual play which included humorous skits about communication. Leoti was also a stop for an outdoor movie, showing the Kansas classic, Wizard of Oz, where Kansas scenery filled the screen.

We’re looking forward to having participating again next year. We plan on continuing the craft and demonstration fair and look for the return of the Cole Hudson Memorial Rough Stock Challenge. Of course, be sure to look for another movie at City Hall and sidewalk sales lining the streets as you pass through on K-96. We enjoyed our guests that joined us here and there. Wichita County and Leoti looks forward to welcoming you to our community next year during the K-96 June Jaunt and always. Leoti…it’s a great place on the Great Plains!