COTTONWOOD FALLS — It’s time to strike the match and burn off last year’s growth on the prairie to make way for new lush grazing grass. With that comes the annual Prairie Fire Festival in Cottonwood Falls.
The Prairie Fire Festival is a week-long event held in Chase County that honors the ranchers of the Flint Hills who, as a part of range-land management, burn off their pastures.
“One of the integral prairie management tools, the annual prairie fires are also a remarkable, observable spring-time event for visitors to the Flint Hills region of Kansas,” the Prairie Fire’s Web site stated.
Events start Monday for the event:
Monday — 6:30 p.m., Mike Holder, Chase County Extension agent will talk about what constitutes a Tallgrass prairie at the Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls.
Tuesday — 6 p.m., Sammie Simmons & Duane Graham, Poetry and photographs presentation and book signing, Emma Chase Cafe.
Wednesday — 6:30 p.m., Chase County Senior Citizens, “Remembering the Good Ol’ Days,” Emma Chase Cafe.
Thursday — 6:30 p.m., “Medicine Park” Native American singers and dancers from Wichita, Emma Chase Cafe.
Friday — 7:30 p.m., Bluegrass Pickin’, Prairie Fire Edition, Emma Chase Cafe.
Saturday
- All day: John Morrison photography, The Gallery at Cottonwood Falls
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Chase County Art Build demonstration & display, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 11 a.m., Bison and Other Prairie Mammals, George LeRoux, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 1 p.m., Sammie Simmons & Duane Graham, poetry and photographs of the Flint Hills, presentation and book signing, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 2 p.m., Natural anatomy of a Flint Hills ranch, Tim Hickock, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 3 p.m., Collared lizards and reptiles of the prairie, Bill Reid, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 7 p.m., Cowboy poetry, Rex Buchman, Prairie Coffee Co.
- 7:30 p.m., The Beasley Boys in Concert, Prairie Coffee Co.
Information: www.prairiefirefestival.com