For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Amy Bickel
Director of Marketing
Kansas State Fair
620-860-9433 or amy.bickel@ks.gov
Navy Week coming to Kansas State Fair
The Navy is returning to Hutchinson this September.
Sailors from across the nation will dock at the Kansas State Fair Sept. 9-11 as part of Navy Week -- an event meant to deepen ties to the military branch that traces its origins to 1775.
Hutchinson, along with events happening in Wichita, is among just 14 stops this year for the Navy’s largest outreach program. This is the first time the event has been in this area, said Lt. John Stevens, the Navy Week program manager.
However, it is not the Navy’s first presence in the area. Hutchinson was a Naval Air Station during World War II and the Korean War. The Fair has ties to the Navy. In 1942, the Navy housed men in the Encampment Building while the nearby Naval Air Base was constructed, according to the Fair’s history.
Stevens said the Navy always looks to enlarge their event with festivals and fairs that are happening at the same time.
“The idea is to educate the public and get units out there in front of them to tell them what their Navy is doing and why it is important we have it,” said Lt. John Stevens, Navy Week program manager. “We are excited the Kansas State Fair has been welcoming. This is how we hope all Navy Weeks work out.”
The Navy has several events scheduled on Sept. 11, said the Fair’s General Manager Robin Jennison. The Navy will help open the Fair’s annual Veteran’s Brunch at 9 a.m. at the Encampment Building. Among the speakers is Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore.
Around noon, Lacore also will swear in five Hutchinson-area students who will enlist in the Navy upon high school graduation. Then, at 6 p.m. the Navy Band Great Lakes will perform at Bretz Arena.
“We are doing so many events this day to commemorate 9-11,” said Jennison. “We are thrilled to host the Navy during our Kansas State Fair and, being a landlocked state, are happy to collaborate with the Navy and help strengthen ties to the area.”
Other activities will take place in Gottschalk Park during the week. They include:
USS Constitution: One of the Navy’s six original frigates, it currently holds the distinction of the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. Some of her sailors, stationed in Boston, will travel to the Navy Week to represent the history of the US Navy. Constitution sailors dress in uniforms dating back to 1813 and share history of the USS Constitution and the Navy in presentations, hands-on displays and often teach youth the art of knot tying.
Ceremonial Guard: Established in 1931, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official ceremonial unit of the Navy. This asset performs a ceremonial drill demonstration at various venues that displays the uniform precision and proud professionalism of the Navy. The Ceremonial Guard will perform Friday, Sept. 13, and will present colors at the Veteran’s Brunch. 20 by 20
Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command: The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command provides environmental information to help Naval and Joint forces operate more safely and effectively and make better decisions faster than the adversary. This group is comprised of both Sailors and civilians and bring an excellent static presentation and hands-on interactive display.
Navy History and Heritage Command: History experts will engage with educational institutions, libraries and other programs to talk about the Navy’s history, historic ties to local communities, and STEM aspects of that history. They come with a complement of infographics and interactive projects for kids all tailored to the history and heritage of a particular city and its ties to the U.S. Navy.
Kansas State Fair Navy Week Daily Schedule:
Monday, Sept. 9:
9 a.m.-3 p.m. History and Heritage Command, Gottschalk Park
5 – 8 p.m. Navy Meteorology & Oceanography, Gottschalk Park
Tuesday, Sept 10:
9 a.m.-3 p.m. History and Heritage Command, Gottschalk Park
5 – 8 p.m. Navy Recruiters, Gottschalk Park
Wednesday, Sept. 11
9 a.m.-3 p.m. History and Heritage Command, Gottschalk Park
9 a.m. Veteran’s Brunch
11:50 a.m. Swearing in of new sailors by Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore and moment of silence, Expo II
12:30 p.m. Navy Band Great Lakes march through Fairgrounds
5 – 8 p.m. Navy Recruiters, Gottschalk Park
6 p.m. Navy Band Great Lakes concert at Bretz and Young Injury Lawyers Arena
Thursday, Sept. 12
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aviation Squadron; Recruiters, Gottschalk Park
5 to 8 p.m. USS Constitution, Gottschalk Park
Friday, Sept. 13
3 p.m. Celebrity Goat Milking featuring U.S. Navy sailors, Sheep Goat and Swine Barn