Kansans celebrate the state’s birthday in style

Happy birthday, Kansas!

The state turned 148 years old today, and Kansans celebrated in style. They gathered at the Kansas Historical Society for loads of activities.

African-American storyteller and drummer Richard Camara Pitts played for a room full of school children.

It wouldn’t be Kansas Day without a special visit from Governor Kathleen Sebelius. She helped lead children in singing the state song “Home on the Range.”

The Governor pointed out a special fact about last year’s Kansas Day celebration. On this day in 2008, President Barack Obama was actually in Kansas, speaking in El Dorado. Obama’s mother and grandparents are from Kansas.

A teacher portraying President Abraham Lincoln was also at the Kansas Day celebration, since this is the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.

Everyone who came out learned fun facts about Kansas, and there were plenty of activities on hand to keep the kids busy.

“It’s where we live, and it’s a lovely place,” said student Madison Davis. “We really need to love our state.”

Sebelius invited a student who was also celebrating a birthday today to join her onstage to help blow out the candle on the Kansas Day birthday cake. That cake was later donated to Let’s Help.

After the ceremonies, celebrators were invited to learn about and interact with historic crafts.