Apple cider, pumpkin spice, and warm pie are a few of the more popular items that people often look forward to upon the coming of Fall.  In Geary County we crave the abundance of vibrant colors that surround us on the Flint Hills as trees and vegetation begin to change; evenings sitting around a warm and inviting fire enjoying loved ones while under the star filled sky; and enjoying the crispness of the air while meandering around a pristine park or while taking a revitalizing stroll and listening to nature’s soundtrack along the bustling river. 

The Fall Season brings change, transformation, and an opportunity to reflect on the magnificent adventures that we had the privilege to experience earlier in the year.  Geary County welcomes the rejuvenation and the opportunities that come along with Fall and we invite you to experience it along with us.

For those with a desire to see first-hand some of the impressive skills possessed by the Fort Riley soldiers, be sure to get your day pass for their Fall Apple Day Festival.  Embracing the Fall Season in a history-rich setting, and having a blast while doing so, this event presents a Military Police Working Dog demonstrations, Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard demonstration and takes it up a notch with Live Music and Pie Eating Contests! While on base you will also have the opportunity to tour the Cavalry Museum and learn about the history surrounding the cavalry’s material culture, the newly renovated 1st Infantry Division Museum, or go on a self-guided walking or driving tour which allow you to gain knowledge of the illustrious history of the lands and those who helped shape them.  

If you find yourself yearning to dive into a culture-rich and traditional experience, then join us at the Junction City Oktoberfest Celebration.  Authentic German beer will be flowing alongside delicious food offerings while surrounded by smile-inducing fun for all ages.  The opportunities to indulge are seemingly endless due to the magnitude of offerings over the two-day celebration.  Shopping local businesses and small vendor booths, dancing and cheering while the music fills the air, watching demonstrations or taking on fun challenges yourself, and making memories through the joyousness of it all are enough to make you want to return and do it again next year.

Through the colors changing and temperatures cooling, we also welcome and embrace the inevitable transformation into the season of all things spooky.  

These walls do talk, so we will ask you to open your ears and intuition while listening to hauntings of the past on the Boos and Brews Haunted History Tour.  Join us in reflecting on our history and the stories of those who came before us through guided walking tours of the Junction City Main Street historic limestone buildings with stops for beverages at local watering holes along the way.  And, if a ghostly crawl that will expose you to the wretched and intriguing stories of the area is your idea of a fun time, you must visit Fort Riley for their Ghost Tours which are guaranteed to deliver chills up the spine and goosebumps on the skin.   

Providing visitors with another reason to wear a costume while enjoying the nippy chill in the air, we invite you on a hayride under the eerie night sky to learn about Monster Myths by Moonlight at Milford State Park.  The whole family can come and learn about some of the spookier creatures Mother Nature has to offer while being serenaded by the hoots and howls of the area.  (Spiders, snakes, and bats –OH MY!)

Wanting to experience sounds in a more structured and indoor environment—then plan a visit to the vibrant and beloved C.L. Hoover Opera House. Through its’ 142 years, this building has collected a few haunts of its own, but is loved for the tales and performances that come alive on its stage.  Whether your heart and soul are jump-started by the rock and roll of Elvis Presley, or you prefer the more melodic and complex sounds of a symphony, be sure to consider the various musical genres scheduled to grace the stage and be sure to get tickets for your perfect show soon.

 For your information, we will have apple cider, pumpkin spice and warm pie available when you visit; we just ask that you be sure to also make time in your itinerary to take in the stunning sights, enriching sounds, and colorful history of our diverse and dynamic Geary County.   

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Salina Symphony Chamber Orchestra @CL Hoover Opera House: September 27, 2024
Elvis Presley @CL Hoover Opera House: September 28, 2024 
Fall Apple Day Festival: Tentatively September 28, 2024
Junction City Oktoberfest: October 4 & 5, 2024
KC’s Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra @CL Hoover Opera House: October 12, 2024
Monster Myths by Moonlight: Tentatively October 12, 2024
Boos and Brews: October 25, 2024