A week ago I wrote about that a committee on developing local tourism advocated getting community support for visiting groups. There are several opportunities developing in the near future; we’ll see what happens.

The first event is the NCAA Regional baseball tournament, which begins May 19th. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing this tournament here, and we have little chance of losing it as long as CMSU's baseball team continues to play outstanding ball. However, it makes sense to welcome the supporters of the three other teams (one from Kansas, two from Nebraska) who will spend several nights in city lodging facilities and eat at local restaurants. Plus, we can see some good baseball played by winning teams for a fraction of the cost of a trip to the "K."

The next event, also held at CMSU, is a week-long one with a very large contingent of people involved in Christian home-schools. This one has filled university facilities as well as all the motels in the area. The economic impact of this event will be significant, and we can hope that it will return in future years if we treat them well. This one starts, I believe, on May 21st. I suspect that traffic will be worse than normal, so look for alternate routes and smile at the extra business the tie-ups indicate.

On June 11th, Warrensburg's ONLY local festival will be held. This is the 5th Annual Blind Boone Music & Arts Festival, up on Main Street in front of the Johnson County Historical Society. As the festival's reputation grows, even more well-known musicians have signed on, not to mention another visit from the Kansas City Marching Cobras drill team. In addition to music, it features art, literature and drama – plus kids' activities. This festival has garnered great support from the City and local businesses; it could always use more folks to come up to Old Town and enjoy a FREE festival.

Later in the summer, there will be lots more goings-on – Boys' State, Girls' State, the County Fair, more Sesquicentennial events – plenty of opportunity for people to spend money in Warrensburg.