With all of the beautifully groomed yards and flower beds in Osage City, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce is again sponsoring a “Yard of the Month” recognition during the months of June through September. The selection of the yard takes place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the residents receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at participating Osage City businesses.
The Chamber has announced that Teresa Knight’s yard has been selected for the month of June. Her home is located at 415 S. Eighth St. She has lived in Osage City for 15 years, and has lots of lovely potted and planted flowers lining the walkway to her front door, and all along the property. She gets some of her plants from out of town, but most of her flowers have come from Osage Garden and Produce.
Beautiful arrangements of potted petunias in multiple colors are some of her favorite things to put together. She has several pollinator and hummingbird-friendly flowers. Teresa also shared that she has two memorial rose bushes, in honor of her late sons. Thank you, Teresa, for making your yard a work of heart so that the community can share in its beauty!
OCHS students selected to attend leadership conference
The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has congratulated sophomores Kenzie Bellinger and Sophia Brabb for being nominated and selected to attend the HOBY Leadership Conference at K-State at the end of May. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership focuses on leadership and service – qualities that shine in both Kenzie and Sophia.
Fun fact: Retired OCES Principal Dena Paul was a HOBY attendee 43 years ago. Her 36 years of dedication to Osage City Schools reflects the same spirit of leadership and service that HOBY inspires in our students.
In lieu of scholarships this year, the Osage City Chamber of Commerce sponsored the cost to send Kenzie and Sophia – to help our students grow as leaders and community contributors!
Horn and Ivory first business to open in newly renovated space
Horn & Ivory Bookstore, 522 Market St., Osage City, is set to open for business June 20, 2026. Selling both new and used books, the store will house fiction and non-fiction titles with a little something for everyone.
Owner Madison Curtis named her store Horn & Ivory as an homage to Homer’s Odyssey – one of the first stories she says sparked her love of reading. She hopes to create a place where books feel alive – where people of all ages can explore, discover, and feel inspired. She plans to collaborate with Forty Barrels Coffee & Kitchen in the future, allowing patrons to mingle between both locations through their connected double-doors.
Horn & Ivory will offer more than just books, it will also feature e-reader accessories, puzzles, stickers, candles, and store merchandise. Anything needed to enhance reading experiences.
Operating hours will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The Osage City Chamber of Commerce welcomes Horn & Ivory to its membership and downtown Osage City.
Osage County Fair and carnival
July 8-11, 2026, will be the dates for the Osage County Fair, in Osage City. Discount presale tickets for the carnival will again be available for purchase at local business outlets in Osage City and surrounding areas – see osagecountyfair.org or the Osage County Fair Association Facebook Page for updated information as the date gets closer.
Osage County Fair Parade
The theme for the fair and the parade is “Salute to America – 250 Years” The parade will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 10.
This year’s parade chairman, Adam Burnett, is accepting entries for the parade; forms will be available on the Chamber of Commerce “Events” page. The Chamber of Commerce will be offering cash prizes for float entries and golf cart and ATV entries. Contact Adam at osagecityparade@gmail.com for more information.
Parade participants must be 17 years old to drive either golf carts or ATVs. No water balloons are allowed in the parade. Line-up starts at the west end of Market Street (around Bullseye Liquor and BP Station). Judging for floats, golf carts and ATVs will begin at 5:15 and will end at 5:45 and will take place in the line-up area. Judging for horse entries will begin at 5:30 and end at 5:45 and will take place in the street near Flint Hills Beverage. Please remain in this area until the parade route starts.
There will also be a kids parade for children up to age 12, who are encouraged to decorate their bikes and meet at the east side of Lincoln Park to ride ahead of the main parade. Parade line up is at 6 p.m. Each child that participates will get a treat. For more information about the kids parade, contact Becky Siljenberg at osagegardenandproduce@gmail.com or 785-217-7342.
The Chamber thanks in advance everyone who participates in this year’s “Salute to America – 250 Years” parade.
Community fireworks celebration
The annual community fireworks show hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday, July 11, 2026, starting around 10 p.m. This year’s celebration will be an extra special event in recognition of America’s 250th birthday.
The event takes a joint effort of financial resources to help supplement the cost of the fireworks display. The Chamber was met with the positive response of businesses and individuals for last year and hope to meet the projected goal of $10,000 for this year. The Chamber would like to ask your support to cover the cost of the show. To make a donation for the fireworks event, send it to Osage City Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 56, Osage City, KS 66523.
