Q: Wichita has its Riverfest. Salina holds the Smoky Hill River Festival. But one Kansas community celebrates the "Riverless Festival." What's the name of the town in north-central Kansas that holds the Riverless Festival each June?
A: Phillipsburg (in Phillips County)
The Riverless Festival is held in Phillipsburg on the first Saturday in June. In a spoof of the various Kansas communities that celebrate river or lake festivals, this town took some lemons and made lemonade, so to speak. Phillipsburg, the county seat of Phillips County, is a dry climate area, so the city celebrates its lack of rivers in a tongue-in-cheek way through its annual Riverless Festival. The courthouse square hosts craft booths and food vendors as well as children's games and rides.
Fun Factoid: In the spring of 1873, the Army sent word from Fort Hays that an attack by Apaches was imminent. Phillipsburg's Fort Bissell was hastily constructed. But it was never needed. Old Fort Bissell, now reconstructed, is located in the Phillipsburg City Park and offers visitors a view of life on the frontier.
Today's Kansas Trivia Question is brought to you by Yello Sub in Lawrence.