You’ll discover Kansas’s ghost towns spring to life each year with unforgettable festivals! Cato hosts its renowned Ghost Town Festival every October 26th, featuring pioneer storytelling and hayrack wagon tours through historic sites. Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days celebrates early pioneers with parades and heritage demonstrations, while Mulberry’s Memorial Day Street Fair showcases its 1869 post office. Herington’s Monster Mash draws up to 5,000 visitors for Halloween festivities, and Clinton Lake’s Bloomington Beach honors its submerged settlement with summer events. Each celebration offers unique insights into Kansas’s fascinating frontier past.
Key Takeaways
- Cato Ghost Town Festival occurs annually on October 26th, featuring historic buildings, pioneer storytelling, hayrack wagon rides, and Cowboy Stew.
- Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days celebrates in warmer months with parades, children’s activities, and heritage demonstrations in an authentic ghost town.
- Mulberry Street Fair takes place Memorial Day weekend, showcasing the 1869 post office, coal mining history, and local crafts.
- Herington Monster Mash Fall Festival draws thousands each October with monster parades, costume contests, hayrides, and ghost town attractions.
- Bloomington Beach at Clinton Lake commemorates the submerged settlement through museum exhibits while offering summer recreational activities.
Cato Ghost Town Festival: A Fall Celebration in Crawford County
Looking for an authentic step back into Kansas pioneer history? You’ll discover it at Cato’s annual celebration each October 26th, where Crawford County’s oldest community opens its doors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free festival showcases heritage preservation through the 1869 Old Stone School, 1915 Cato Christian Church, and an 1860s settler’s cabin replica.
You’ll experience pioneer storytelling through presentations on Bleeding Kansas, Civil War involvement, and the community’s remarkable firsts—Crawford County’s first school, church, coal mine, and county fair all originated here. Matt Wells delivers musical history at 9:30 a.m., followed by school history presentations and Jerry Lomshek’s early settlement accounts at 10:45 a.m.
The main highlight is a hayrack wagon ride starting at 1 p.m. that visits the Buckhorn Tavern stagecoach stop, Coonrod Cemetery, and the birthplace of Elisha Black Jr., Crawford County’s first settler-born child. Enjoy Cowboy Stew at noon and enter a handmade quilt raffle. The Cato Historical Preservation Association guarantees you’ll access these rarely-opened buildings. Like many Homecomings celebrate veterans throughout the region, this event honors the community’s historical contributions to Crawford County’s development.
Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days: Honoring Pioneer Heritage
While Cato celebrates its heritage each October, Arcadia’s Old Settlers Days brings pioneer history to life during the warmer months with a family-centered festival that’s captured hearts across Crawford County. You’ll witness pioneer traditions come alive in this authentic ghost town setting, where coal mining’s decline couldn’t diminish the community’s spirit.
The festivities kick off at 10am with a vibrant parade led by distinguished grand marshals like Thelma Medley, setting the stage for a day packed with children’s activities and heritage preservation demonstrations. Similar to Johnson County’s Old Settlers celebration, this event honors the resilience and pioneering spirit that defined early Kansas communities.
You’re free to explore Arcadia’s rich legacy through hands-on experiences that honor the 1860s settlers who shaped this region. Many of these settlers arrived from states like Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, following the Santa Fe Trail routes that passed through Kansas. This annual gathering proves that even ghost towns can thrive when communities unite to celebrate their roots and pass timeless values to future generations.
Mulberry Street Fair: Memorial Day Weekend Tradition
You’ll discover:
- Historic 1869 post office standing as evidence to frontier determination
- Mining remnants from the early 1900s coal boom era
- Local vendors showcasing regional crafts and traditions
- Community gatherings preserving small-town American values
- Heritage activities celebrating pioneer independence
With just 409 residents keeping traditions alive, you’ll witness authentic Kansas spirit where past meets present.
The town’s strategic location at the junction of two railroads—the Kansas City Southern and St. Louis/San Francisco lines—once made it a bustling transportation hub.
Originally founded as Mulberry Grove around 1866, the settlement was named after the grove of mulberry trees where Osage Indians once camped.
This isn’t commercialized tourism—it’s genuine community heritage inviting you to experience freedom’s enduring legacy.
Herington Monster Mash Fall Festival: Halloween Fun for Families
When October arrives in Herington, Kansas, the Monster Mash Fall Festival transforms this historic town into a Halloween wonderland that’ll captivate your entire family. This revitalized community welcomes 2,000-5,000 visitors annually with free admission for kids under 12, making it an accessible escape from everyday constraints.
You’ll discover monster-themed parades winding through downtown, costume contests showcasing creative expression across all ages, and hayrides through atmospheric surroundings.
The festival brilliantly combines ghost town attractions with modern entertainment—trick-or-treat at historic sites while enjoying live music and storytelling sessions.
With 50+ community volunteers ensuring lit pathways and safe experiences, you’ll explore pumpkin carving stations, pet costume contests, and kid zones filled with games.
Local businesses thrive with 30% revenue boosts, proving this small-town celebration delivers authentic Halloween spirit without corporate restrictions.
Bloomington Beach: Summer Events at a Submerged Settlement
From Halloween thrills to summer recreation, Kansas’s ghost towns offer year-round adventures—and few locations tell a more poignant story than Bloomington Beach. This recreational area sits above Bloomington, a thriving Free State settlement founded in 1854 that now rests beneath Clinton Lake’s waters.
What makes this ghost town unique is its transformation from forced displacement to public celebration.
What You’ll Experience:
- Swimming and boating over submerged communities
- Hiking trails near underwater archaeology sites
- Fishing where homes once stood
- Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum exhibits (May-October)
- Freedom Rings art installation commemorating displaced residents
The 1960s Flood Control Act drowned thousands of farmland acres despite residents’ protests. Bloomington briefly competed with other settlements to become Kansas’ capital, demonstrating its early importance in the territory.
Today, you’ll enjoy summer activities while honoring the abolitionist stronghold below—a bittersweet reminder that freedom sometimes comes at others’ expense. The lake provides water for over 100,000 people, making it the most relied-on reservoir in Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pets Allowed at Kansas Ghost Town Festivals and Events?
Pet policies aren’t specified for Kansas ghost town festivals, so you’ll want to contact event organizers directly about event restrictions. Don’t let uncertainty stop your adventure—reach out beforehand to guarantee your furry companion can join the spooky fun!
What Accessibility Accommodations Exist at These Ghost Town Annual Events?
You’ll find visitor facilities at Kansas ghost town events vary by location, but historical preservation sites typically offer basic accessibility features. Contact specific event organizers directly to confirm current accommodations that’ll guarantee your freedom to explore these unique destinations comfortably.
Do Ghost Town Events Offer Camping or Overnight Accommodation Options Nearby?
You’ll need to book nearby hotels since these ghost town events don’t offer on-site camping. However, you’re free to explore historical tours and outdoor activities during the day, then retreat to comfortable regional lodging for overnight stays!
What Admission Fees or Costs Should Visitors Expect at These Events?
You’ll discover ticket pricing ranging from FREE events to $10 standard admissions! Some attractions offer matinee discounts at $5, while donation opportunities let you contribute what you choose. Popular tours sell out fast—book early for ultimate flexibility!
Can Visitors Explore Actual Ghost Town Structures During These Annual Events?
You’ll explore authentic preserved structures during these events! Historical preservation efforts let you freely wander through original buildings while local community engagement brings ghost towns alive with guided tours, reenactments, and hands-on experiences you can’t miss!
References
- https://www.travelks.com/blog/stories/post/haunted-and-spooky-events-happening-in-kansas/
- https://www.visitkc.com/articles/haunted-houses/
- https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2022-04-09/ghost-towns-are-all-around-kansas-city-if-you-know-where-to-look
- https://explorecrawfordcounty.com/annual/
- https://www.kansashauntedhouses.com/kansas-paranormal-events.aspx
- https://visitatchison.com/listing/haunted-atchison-special-events
- https://www.visitwichita.com/blog/post/wichita-haunted-places/
- https://web.salinakansas.org/events/Ghost-Town-Tour-9339/details
- https://fortscott.biz/news/cato-celebrates-its-pioneer-history-with-cato-days-oct-26
- https://legendsofkansas.com/cato-kansas/
