Amelia Earhart Festival

The spirit of legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart is alive and well in Atchison! Each summer the community pulls out all the stops in honor of its favorite daughter, complete with a downtown music, food and crafts fair, star-filled outdoor concert, children’s activities, awards and honors, Earhart research and literature, music on the beautiful Riverfront, aerobatic performances and the grandest of all finalés — the “Concert in the Sky” fireworks show.

There’s a reason thousands of people from across the nation — and even the world — flock to this scenic riverside town every July: We have something for everyone. 

Thursday

• Grandfather Earhart’s Ice Cream Social – Ice cream and other desserts served in the memory of Amelia’s grandfather who attended St Mark’s Lutheran Church.
• Aerial Abstract Paintings by Around-the-World Pilot Amelia Rose Earhart – Amelia’s Shadow From the Sky is a kaleidoscopic journey of aerial abstracts — real and imagined landscapes seen from above, inspired by her passion for painting sparked through flight.

Friday

• The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart and George Putnam and the Marriage that Made an American Icon – A landmark biography of Amelia Earhart’s life and legacy by Laurie Gwen Shapiro will make its festival debut Friday morning at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.
• “Amelia at the Library” – A program featuring Amelia Earhart as portrayed by Sydney Blake. It’s a favorite of adults and children!
• Live Music on the Riverfront – Friday evening, move to the Riverfront to enjoy live music featuring Noah Anthony, Abby Anderson and Neal McCoy. Get tickets>>

Saturday

• 2K/8K Fun Run-Walk – Chip timed race begins and ends at the Atchison Family YMCA. To sign up, visit runsignup.com and search for Amelia Earhart Fun Run Walk. Showers are available post-race. For more information, call (913) 367-4948 or email
  jenniferkiehl@kansascityymca.org.
• International Forest of Friendship – Celebrate aviation and space at the International Forest of Friendship. Walk the paths and celebrate Amelia and all of the honorees. Enjoy the waving of 100 flags representing our 50 states and countries represented in the Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots.
• Food, Crafts & Music – Vendors along each block, as well as live music!
• “White Wings & Wheels” Car Show – Any cars welcome! Show will include trophies, 50/50 drawing and more! To sign up, call Zach Wolfe at (913) 426-3002.
• Children’s Activities – The kids will have plenty to keep them busy with street performers and interactive fun! There will be displays from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Creatures by Theresa, fire truck rides, miniature horses and donkeys, a petting zoo, balloon creations, the Mad Science booth and more!
• “Step by Step” Speaker’s Symposium – Panel discussion featuring Pioneering Achievement Award recipient Tara Dower and other women sharing their journey step by step to successful careers. Free to the public. 
• Pioneering Achievement Award Luncheon – A luncheon honoring the 2025 Pioneering Achievement Award recipient, Tara Dower. Reservations are requested. Cost is $25 per person. Tickets: https://square.link/u/nL4VPUc1.
• Historic Church Tours: Trinity Episcopal – Tour the historic church where Amelia was baptized. At 10 a.m. Sunday, July 20, a church service will feature historic liturgies. For more information, call (913) 367-3171.
• Afternoon Tea with the Authors – Join us for tea and treats as we enjoy a presentation from two authors, Laurie Gwen Shapiro and Mark Weakland. This is a wonderful opportunity visit with the authors, as well as purchase books and have them signed.
• Happy Birthday, Amelia! – An enduring festival tradition! Visitors are
  invited to sign a birthday card and eat cake to
  celebrate Amelia’s upcoming 128th birthday.
• Meet Amelia! – Impersonator Sydney Blake welcomes visitors at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.
• Music on the Riverfront – The perfect setting for a laidback, outdoor show! Join us at Riverfront Park for a great evening of free entertainment. NO GLASS CONTAINERS. Music begins at 4 p.m. featuring crowd favorite Soca Jukebox!
• Evening Aerobatic
  Performances – Prepare yourselves to enjoy dazzling aerobatic performances over the majestic Missouri River: Mark Scholz and Bob Richard “Machaira” in muscle bi-plane!
• “Concert in the Sky” Fireworks Show – After dark on the banks of the Missouri River, enjoy one of the Midwest’s most dazzling fireworks shows, orchestrated to music by Ste lar Fireworks Inc.

Make sure to bookmark this site, as we will be featuring new events periodically. Tickets will be available soon.  Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. See you in July!