MARYSVILLE, KS. - For the second year in a row, all eyes and ears of a northeastern Kansas town will turn to the stage and the skies.

“It’s hot air balloons, it’s Logan Mize, it’s a fly in, it’s a lot of fun stuff!”

SkyFest is back in Marysville, KS. for another year.

Wayne Kruse is the tourism director for the town, situated in the northeast corner of the Sunflower State, 30 miles south of Beatrice. He says success in year one, led to there being a year two.

“When the event ended last year, we looked at each other and said ’This is great, we need to do this again’, so planning began,” Kruse said. “Plans went into motion to figure out what could we do better in 2024.”

This year, the event features music at the Lakeview Sports Complex, with a Logan Mize concert planned for Saturday night, as well a fireworks, and hot air balloon display.

New this year, are a series of events beginning early Sunday morning at the airport.

“Last year, we had a lot of people saying they didn’t know the hot air balloons were taking off on Sunday morning, so we made a whole event about the balloons taking off at six,” Kruse said. “So the balloons will take off from the airport at 6:00 a.m., we’ll have a Kiwanis breakfast and then an airport fly in.”

Kruse says SkyFest is a big deal for the town of about 3,400 as it’s an opportunity to showcase what they have, while providing a midsummer economic boost.

“A couple of weeks ago our two of our hotels and trailhead suites said we’re already booked,” Kruse said. “As I’m looking for volunteers, the people at the gas stations and restaurants can’t because they have to work… because they know som many people will come into town to buy fuel, food, they go shopping. These events are huge for our economic base here in Marysville.” 

A full list of events and schedule can be found online at marshallcountyarts.org.