Thank You for 31 Years of Unforgettable Summer Memories

An Important Message from the Wild West Festival Committee

Dear Hays and Western Kansas Community,

Since 1995, the Wild West Festival has been proud to serve as the heartbeat of summer in Hays. For three decades, our Fourth of July weekend brought families, neighbors, and visitors together in Municipal Park to celebrate, listen to live music, enjoy the annual parade, and watch the fireworks illuminate our western Kansas skies.

Today, with heavy hearts, the Wild West Festival Committee announces the difficult decision to dissolve the nonprofit organization and bring an end to the annual festival.

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

This choice was not made lightly. Over recent years, our committee faced compounding logistical and financial hurdles:

· Escalating Production Costs: Rising expenses for staging, artist booking, security, and festival infrastructure outpaced available sponsorship revenue.

· Diminished Volunteer Capacity: Natural attrition over time left fewer hands to manage the massive workload required to safely stage a multi-day festival of this scale.

· A Shift in Mission: Originally founded in 1995 as a cultural and heritage-focused gathering, the event gradually evolved into a high-production concert circuit that strayed from its founding roots and became increasingly unsustainable.

Rather than compromising safety or quality, our committee voted to authorize the Executive Board to formally conclude operations with grace and responsibility.

Looking Toward the Future

While this chapter is closing, our hope for the community remains bright. By stepping aside now, we hope to open the door for a new generation of civic leaders to step forward and reimagine what a summer holiday celebration can look like for Hays.

Many of our current committee members have already committed to offering their mentorship, institutional knowledge, and hands-on support to any emerging civic group or nonprofit willing to step up and create a new community tradition.

In accordance with our bylaws, all physical assets and property owned by the nonprofit will be gifted to the City of Hays to support future community and municipal endeavors.

With Our Deepest Gratitude

Thirty years of celebrations would never have been possible without you. We extend our sincerest thanks to:

· Our Dedicated Volunteers: Everyone who braved the heat to set up fences, sell tickets, clean grounds, and tear down stages.

· Our Generous Sponsors & Partners: The local businesses, donors, and civic leaders whose financial backing kept our gates open for three decades.

· City Staff & First Responders: The dedicated crews who ensured our park, streets, and community stayed safe every holiday weekend.

· Our Attendees & Fans: Every family who attended the parade, sang along at the concerts, and spread out a blanket under the fireworks.

Thank you for over three incredible decades of memories, music, and community spirit.

Sincerely,

The Wild West Festival Committee & Executive Board