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🌾 Prairie Fire Week

🌾 Prairie Fire Week

Will you be on the road where it happens?

Landon Huslig
October 06, 2025

Together With

Good morning, Wichita!

I have to give it to Exploration Place. They did it again with the Drone Light Show this weekend. It just keeps getting better and better!

Let’s get to it!

- Landon

p.s. Happy belated birthday to Kisten!

NEWS

Prairie Fire Marathon Week

If you are driving downtown this Sunday and not sure why there are so many people running around, it is the bi-annual Prairie Fire Marathon which is one of Wichita’s great traditions.

This Sunday 10/12 is the fall 2025 race and the next race will be 5/3/2026 (1st Sunday in May).

This used to be known as the Wichita Marathon, but in 2010 it became the Prairie Fire Marathon (also a Boston qualifying course each year in the fall).

It isn’t just a 26.2 mile race though. They offer a half marathon, 5k, Mayor’s Friendly 5k (still time to sign up), as well as numerous volunteer opportunities (click here to learn more about this - they always welcome help!).

Whether you are running, volunteering, or cheering on family and friends, let’s give it up for the Wichita Sports Commission team for running one amazing event.

Together with Skyline Builders LLC

Skyline Builders has been building storm-tested steel and post-frame facilities across Kansas since 2014.

Serving the Wichita metro, they’re a licensed general contractor and Nucor Authorized Builder—trusted for warehouses with offices, storefronts, and other commercial projects (30x40 and larger).

With a 5-year workmanship guarantee, Skyline delivers turn-key construction done right the first time.

See more of their work on Facebook and Instagram.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Opening

Haven Restaurant & Lounge - 315 North Mead St in Old Town Square - Now Open
Cofellow Coffee Parlor - 2120 N Woodlawn inside Vima Church - Now Open
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot - 2243 N Tyler Rd - Now Open

Closed

Golden Corral (last remaining in Wichita) - 616 S Ridge Rd - Now Closed
Chateau Gifts & Flower Preservation - Closing Soon after 4 Decades
Peerless (bar) - 919 E Douglas Downtown - Now Closed

Anniversary

The family that runs the Popcorner is essentially family to us. Congrats on 11 years!

What is your business anniversary?

Arnold Building

The Historic Arnold building is located at 333 E English (down near the Biomedical Center) and will be converted into apartments to meet the expected demand.

There will also be two spaces for dining or retail shops below.

CJ’s Last Stop Cafe

Have you tried CJ’s?

NON-PROFIT

TKAAM

Congrats to (and welcome to Wichita to) Shane Carter on taking over as the new leader at The Kansas African American Museum (or TKAAM).

A Toast to Wishes

The second annual A Toast to Wishes event is coming up on 10/16 at Odd Fellow Hall. Last year they raised over $20,000 for Wish ICT.

Candy Crawl

Coming up on Friday 10/17, Wichita Park & Rec will be hosting a Candy Crawl at Planeview Park.

Together with the Prairie Fire Marathon

6 days to go until race day.

Already signed up? Good luck!

Want a last minute challenge? Register here.

Want to help out? Sign up to volunteer here.

CIVIL

Wichita Public Schools

For the 2024-25 school year, Wichita Public Schools has 46,556 students and this has dropped to 45,075 for the current 2025-26 school year. WPS enrollment has also dropped about 12% over the last decade.

LOCAL

Wichita x1.25

According to a report from WSU, Wichita will grow 25% over the next 50 years while rural counties will shrink.

Fall Festivals

There are a ton of fall festivals in (and around) Wichita.

This includes at New Market Square this Saturday on 10/11!

Ice Dinosaurs

The Exploration Place just kicked off their brand new exhibit: Ice Dinosaurs.

My son and I will be there, no matter what.

Riverest Poster Competition

An extra 4 G’s in your pocket wouldn’t be too bad right?

The Riverfest Poster competition is now open and the winner gets $4,000 thanks to the poster comp sponsor Emprise Bank.

Dating in 2025

As we’ve heard from you all, dating in Wichita is hard.

She Socials is bringing a couple of options for you to check out:

Be sure to RSVP!

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Have you been to the Chinese Garden at Botanica? It is celebrating 10 years!

Most Affordable

Did you know Wichita is the most affordable city out of the top 100 major cities?

From The Economist: "Wichita might not have Manhattan’s fashion credentials or Austin’s high-paying tech jobs, but it can offer affordable independence.“

Wichita State Football

Last week, October 2nd marked 55 years since the charter plane carrying WSU football players, coaches, staff and fans crashed into a Colorado mountain and killing 31.

Wichita State Tech

WSU Tech is one of the best opportunities to get a great education that will lead into a great job.

A few things that might be of interest:

Fiber Optics Bootcamp/Dodge City, 10/13 (Training in core competencies aligned with real-world broadband deployment demands, culminating in 3 certs from the FOA)
4-H Kitchen & Chef Skills 101, 10/14-10/16 (Basic kitchen do’s & don'ts, including equipment overviews, knife skills & an intro to building flavors)

ICT EXTRA

Cops

Did you know US COPS Season 4 will feature Wichita Police Department?

Halloween

It is never too early to look ahead, here is a guide to Family-Friendly Halloween events and Trunk-or-Treats in Wichita.

Jo Bros

Did you see the Jonas Brothers are coming to Wichita?