If a road trip takes you along Highway 281 in Southern Kansa, then be sure and stop for a quick photo op in Pratt. Although there’s not much to the town, they do have have a unique set of water towers. The Hot & Cold Water Towers are located at the intersection of Highway 281 (Main Street) and Green Street. You can get a good view of them from the Pratt Community Center parking lot (which has accessible parking), located just across the street. What supposedly began as a high school prank when students graffitied the towers in the 1940s, led to the town formally adopting — and accepting — the designations, and repainting the towers in a more formal and permanent way. Yes, other towns in Kansas also have similar water towers, but the story behind these sends them to the top of the list.
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The Cawker City Twine Ball is definitely off the beaten path, but that’s part of the charm of it all. Located about an hour-and-a-half northwest of Salina, you definitely have to go out of your way to visit this Kansas roadside attraction. It was started by Frank Stoeber in 1953 with sisal twine from his hay bales. Frank had been a bit under the weather and he thought twine winding would be a good way to pass the time. After he recovered, he found he had a new hobby, so he decided to keep it up.
Today this massive twine ball sits in an open-air pavilion on Highway 24 between Maple Street and Lake Drive. Accessible street parking is available on the corner of Highway 24 and Lake Street. There are steps up to the twine pavilion from Highway 24, so it’s best to head up Lake Street and cross over the grassy area next to the building with the mural on front, to get to the twine ball. And depending on the upkeep of the grounds, some wheelchair-users may need a bit of assistance bumping up the cement slab where the twine ball sits. Still you can get a good view of it from anywhere on the grass.
And this isn’t a static exhibit — it’s still growing. Every August there’s a twine-a-thon, where visitors are encouraged to add to the twine ball. So if you’re in the area during that time, make plans to become an official twine winder.
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Tickets are now available for the 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills, which is slated for Saturday June 14, 2025. A eclectic mixture of classical music and cowboy culture, this day-long event celebrates the history, ecology and culture of the last stand of native tallgrass prairie. This years concert will be held at the Evans Family Ranch in Chase County, Kansas. Although the venue changes yearly, great care is always taken to insure this popular event is accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Wheelchair Access at 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills
The Evans Family Ranch is large, and the concert site is located a good distance from the ticket gate. That said, accessible parking will be available to anyone who has a placard, and there will be limited golf cart transportation to the front gate for folks who cannot manage the walk. A special entrance lane will be designated for disabled patrons, where wristbands that allow access to accessible seating and transportation will be available.
Most attendees walk over the rock and dirt covered prairie to the concert site; however accommodations will be in place for folks who can’t manage the walk. A lift-equipped shuttle bus will transport wheelchair-users and slow walkers to the concert site. From there, a separate shuttle will be available to transfer folks with special assistance wristbands between the waiting area, the Patron Tent and the ADA concert area. Accessible porta-potties will also be located throughout the venue.
The Grand Finale
Now in its 20th year, the Symphony in the Flint Hills will celebrate its Grand Finale in 2025. Says Mary Ice, Board Chair of Symphony in the Flint Hills, “This 20th anniversary represents a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and the many possibilities ahead for sharing our mission.”
Gates will open at 1 PM. During the afternoon, lectures and activities will be presented in the tents near the concert site. There will be level access to all tents, where you’ll also find a silent art auction, adult libations, and a scrumptious BBQ dinner with all the trimmings. The sunset concert is the highlight of the day, but plan to arrive in the early afternoon so you can enjoy the other activities.
You’ll never forget the experience of listening to the music of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra set against the backdrop of the tallgrass prairie. As the sun sets, cowboys appear on horseback on the horizon, and then slowly make their way down to the stage area. And when the show nears an end they ride off into the distance. It’s probably the only symphony performance where you’ll feel comfortable in blue jeans and cowboy boots.
And in keeping with tradition, the performance concludes with a rousing sing along of Home on the Range. Afterwards, guests are welcome to linger on and enjoy the night sky, or maybe listen in on the story circle, or indulge in a little dancing. Whatever you choice, you’ll have a full day of fun on the beautiful Kansas prairie.
Advance tickets are required for the 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills, and they can be purchased at symphonyintheflinthills.org. Plan ahead though as tickets go like hotcakes, and this popular event always sells out.
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The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism recently launched the Adaptive Sportsmen of Kansas (ASK) program in order to ensure that hunters and anglers with disabilities have better access to outdoor areas. Made possible with support from Bushnell Optics and the National Wild Turkey Federation, this program provides track chairs on a first-come basis at pre-approved events and conservation-based activities throughout the state. These Action Trackchairs are outfitted with tank tracks instead of wheels and are controlled by a joystick. They are also equipped with a four-point harness, a gun mount, a fishing rod holder, a LED headlight and a utility box for extra storage. For more information about events and activities that will have track chairs available, contact ASK Program Coordinator Jessica Rice at (913) 278-2362 or Jess.rice@ks.gov. And for more information about this Kansas track chair program, visit ksoutdoors.com/Outdoor-Activities/Track-Chairs-ASK-Program.
Main Street
