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Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of a landmark, made for television movie that was filmed in Kansas.
Yes, a film made in Kansas has had some impact in Hollywood.
It was 25 years ago, Nov. 20, 1983, when the made-for-TV movie “The Day After” was broadcast on ABC.
Some of the cast and crew gathered in Lawrence Thursday, where most of the film was shot, for a special viewing of the movie and reunion.
Based on a Cold War scenario where Kansas City was destroyed by a pair of nuclear missiles, it shows the effects felt by surrounding communities and families.
The film was said to be based in the Midwest because common thought during this time was the Midwest would not be a target during such an attack.
With over 100 million viewers, it still holds the record for the most watched TV movie of all time.
The movie “The Day After,” the TV series “Jericho” and movies and TV series based on “Superman” have led many visitors to Kansas to ask, are the only movies worth shooting in Kansas based on nuclear war and superheros?
Putting the ‘out’ in house
If you get the urge this weekend to get “out” of the “house,” may I suggest a day trip over to Elk Falls just west of Independence for the 13th annual Outhouse Tour.
Yes, that is correct, Outhouse Tour.
Since 1995, the small community located in Elk County has celebrated its vast collection of one-door depositories.
In response, the event earned the billing as the Greatest Event on Earth by Festival Media Corp., a company that operates festivals.com.
National publications such as Midwest Living and American Profiles have printed feature stories on the event.
The event draws some 1,800 visitors to a community of 120.
Tour buttons are sold for $1 each allowing visitors to vote for the best outhouse.
The tour includes more than just outhouses, including outhouse paraphernalia, collectibles and miniature outhouses.
To top it off, Elk Falls is discussing creating an outhouse preservation society.
Crawford County CVB Grants
Time is running short for entities interested in applying for the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau 2009 Tourism Marketing Grant Program.
The Crawford County CVB annually awards grants to special events and attractions with the purpose of increasing travel and tourism in Crawford County and assisting in the marketing of travel and tourism in Crawford County.
The window to apply for the 2009 Tourism Marketing Grant Funding Program began Sept. 1, 2008 and continues through Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Applications received after Dec. 1 will not be considered for funding.
Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau office located inside the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 117 West Fourth Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact me at 1-800-879-1112.
Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of a landmark, made for television movie that was filmed in Kansas.
Yes, a film made in Kansas has had some impact in Hollywood.
It was 25 years ago, Nov. 20, 1983, when the made-for-TV movie “The Day After” was broadcast on ABC.
Some of the cast and crew gathered in Lawrence Thursday, where most of the film was shot, for a special viewing of the movie and reunion.
Based on a Cold War scenario where Kansas City was destroyed by a pair of nuclear missiles, it shows the effects felt by surrounding communities and families.
The film was said to be based in the Midwest because common thought during this time was the Midwest would not be a target during such an attack.
With over 100 million viewers, it still holds the record for the most watched TV movie of all time.
The movie “The Day After,” the TV series “Jericho” and movies and TV series based on “Superman” have led many visitors to Kansas to ask, are the only movies worth shooting in Kansas based on nuclear war and superheros?
Putting the ‘out’ in house
If you get the urge this weekend to get “out” of the “house,” may I suggest a day trip over to Elk Falls just west of Independence for the 13th annual Outhouse Tour.
Yes, that is correct, Outhouse Tour.
Since 1995, the small community located in Elk County has celebrated its vast collection of one-door depositories.
In response, the event earned the billing as the Greatest Event on Earth by Festival Media Corp., a company that operates festivals.com.
National publications such as Midwest Living and American Profiles have printed feature stories on the event.
The event draws some 1,800 visitors to a community of 120.
Tour buttons are sold for $1 each allowing visitors to vote for the best outhouse.
The tour includes more than just outhouses, including outhouse paraphernalia, collectibles and miniature outhouses.
To top it off, Elk Falls is discussing creating an outhouse preservation society.
Crawford County CVB Grants
Time is running short for entities interested in applying for the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau 2009 Tourism Marketing Grant Program.
The Crawford County CVB annually awards grants to special events and attractions with the purpose of increasing travel and tourism in Crawford County and assisting in the marketing of travel and tourism in Crawford County.
The window to apply for the 2009 Tourism Marketing Grant Funding Program began Sept. 1, 2008 and continues through Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Applications received after Dec. 1 will not be considered for funding.
Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau office located inside the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 117 West Fourth Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact me at 1-800-879-1112.
2009 calendar of events
The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau is seeking information to compile its 2009 calendar of events.
Any event that is scheduled to take place in Crawford County in 2009 that is open to the public and has the potential to draw tourists into Crawford County including community fairs and festivals, sporting events, outdoor activities, celebrations, parades, art related events such as art walks, performing arts or exhibitions are invited to submit information to be included on the calendar of events.
The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau provides the calendar of events to travelers and tourists interested in visiting Crawford County and to over 100 media outlets within 100 miles of Crawford County to promote and publicize all listed events.
For more information, contact the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-879-1112. To submit information about events, e-mail them to cvb@pittsburgkschamber.com.
Upcoming events
Crawford County residents have a variety of choices of events this weekend, the final weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and Black Friday.
St. Mary's-Colgan continues its playoff march at Olpe, Pittsburg State University travels to Maryville for the first time since the 90's and the weather is perfect for hunting.
Here are few other events to get out and about and enjoy this weekend and on into next week:
• Today and continuing through Sunday, the Midwest Regional Ballet and the Southeast Kansas Symphony Orchestra will present “The Nutcracker Ballet” at Memorial Auditorium. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and a Sunday performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults in the local level and choice balcony, $13 for seniors and children in the lower level and choice balcony and the remaining balcony seats are $8. For more information, contact Memorial Auditorium at (620) 231-7827 or log onto www.memorialauditorium.org.
• Tuesday, Memorial Auditorium will host the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. It will be the third stop in Kansas during the Oak Ridge Boys “Christmas Cookies Tour.” For more information or for tickets, contact Memorial Auditorium at (620) 231-7827 or log onto www.memorialauditorium.org
Craig Hull is the director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is the purpose of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote travel and tourism in Crawford County, Southeast Kansas and the Midwest. He can be reached at chull@pittsburgareachamber.com or at 1-800-879-1112.
