One more Kansas University professor received a William T. Kemper fellowship Wednesday: Hannah Briton, associate professor of women, gender and sexuality studies and political science.

Fifteen awards have been handed out, and the remaining five will be given later this week. The annual awards are part of an effort to honor excellence in teaching. Each recipient gets $5,000.

De Soto Days Festival set to begin today

The three-day De Soto Days Festival starts today and continues through Saturday.

Most of the activities will be in Miller Park, just east of the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 83rd Street in De Soto.

Evans Midland Empire Shows will offer a special from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. all three nights of the festival in which the purchase of a $20 wristband is good for rides the remainder of the evening. In addition, food vendors and entertainment will be available at the park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today and Friday.

Activities for the festival’s big day will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with a downtown children’s parade in downtown De Soto before the arrival at 10 a.m. of the festival parade.

Saturday’s Miller Park activities will get under way after the parade and include car and motorcycle shows, crafts and commercial vendors, food booths, clowns, musical entertainment, VFW bingo and beer garden, Old West skits, trolley rides around De Soto, and carnival rides and games. The Black Tuxedoes and F*Bombs bands will play from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the park.