A Decade of Dedication
This July marks a meaningful milestone as I celebrate 10 years as Director of the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of playing an important role in making McPherson a place where people want to live, visit, and return to time and time again.
When I stepped into the role in July of 2015, I came with a clear mission to promote tourism by supporting the development of local events, attractions, conventions and recreational activities that bring visitors to the City of McPherson, with the ultimate goal of becoming an overnight travel destination.
At its heart, tourism is about creating connections. I’m thankful to work alongside many local organizations to brainstorm and develop memorable events that our community can enjoy — not only today but for years to come. This kind of work can’t be done alone; it takes dedication, collaboration, and strong partnerships. I’m especially grateful for the trust and support of my CVB staff, City leaders and the many local organizations we work with — none of this would be possible without them.
With my guidance as director, our CVB team has introduced new events and reimagined long-standing traditions to keep things fresh and exciting. Some of our summer highlights include Movie Mania, Story Time on the Trolley, the July 4th Extravaganza, and the Fidelity Days Celebration. Listed above are just a few of our vibrant events that make our community so special.
Where do we get the funds to support all our events? The answer lies in the local transient guest tax, which is collected from overnight stays at McPherson hotels. This important funding source allows the McPherson Convention and Visitors Bureau to offer many of our CVB events and activities to families free of charge. It also enables us to support valued community partners like the McPherson Museum and the McPherson Opera House. I’m especially thankful for this, knowing that many families face financial challenges and it’s incredibly rewarding to help provide fun, meaningful experiences that everyone can enjoy.
As I celebrate a decade of service, I know my dedication and service has helped shape McPherson’s growing presence as a destination. As we look ahead, the future of McPherson has never looked brighter!
Joni Regnier is the director of the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Let the fun begin
Each year, the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau, with fireworks sponsorship from CHS of McPherson, organizes the Fourth of July Extravaganza.
One of the premier Independence Day events in the region, the evening not only includes an incredible fireworks display, but also a variety of family-friendly activities.
The activities technically start Thursday, July 3, with the Intrepid Brass Band concert presented by the CVB and McPherson College. The event takes place at the historic San Romani Bandshell in Lakeside Park, featuring Independence Pops 2025. It’s a great way to get in the patriotic spirit, beginning at 8 p.m.
Then, on Friday, head to Wall Park for the annual extravaganza beginning at 7 p.m. Nex-Tech Wireless will hand out glow bracelets, while the CVB will sponsor a face-painting activity and live music from area favorite “King Midas.”
Sweet Rolls & Boba Pearls will also be on hand selling sweets and drinks from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Then, the highlight of the night, the fireworks will begin at dark.
Fishing success
Not thrown off by a two-hour rain delay, the City of McPherson Park Department and other City volunteers put on a great event for the 18th annual McPherson Fishing Derby in its return to Lakeside Park. With the waterway stocked earlier in the week, bites were aplenty for all who braved the weather to participate in the Father’s Day weekend activity.
Park Department staff would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors who made this event so memorable as it continues to grow year after year.
Below are the list of winners in this year’s contest. The number represents the total number of inches of fish caught during the three-hour window.
6 & under girls
- 1. Belle Becker - 93
- 2. Kinsey - 74.5
- 3. Zoey Alvorado - 60
6 & under boys
- 1. Sawyer Nelson - 70.75
- 2. Otto White - 64.5
- 3. Rowan Carpenter - 23.5
7-11 girls
- 1. Emry Nelson - 97.5
- 2. Harper White - 47 (also caught one of two Albino Catfish).
- 3. Brynn Martens - 43.5
7-11 boys
- 1. Levi - 170.5
- 2. Kolten Sundell - 117.5
- 3. Cody S. - 94
- HM - Kooper Willits - 90
12-5 girls
- 1. Avery Curry - 122.25
12-15 boys
- 1. Ronin Przymus - 85.5
- 2. Kaden Brown - 82.75
- 3. Vincent Wuertz - 75.5
- HM - Brandon Nestor - 75.25
Fireworks ordinance
The City of McPherson and McPherson Fire Department would like to remind citizens of the rules when it comes to fireworks sales and discharge. Inside the City limits, the following ordinance applies:
No person shall sell or discharge fireworks within the city, except between July 2 and July 4, inclusive, in each year, and only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., except that fireworks may be discharged from 10:00 a.m. to Midnight on July 4. For purposes of this article "fireworks" shall mean any pyrotechnical device regulated by the regulations promulgated by the Kansas State Fire Marshal and "state regulations" shall mean such regulations. Except as provided in this section, fireworks, which are lawfully permitted under such regulations, may be sold or discharged within the city. Fireworks shall not be sold or fired at any time on public property, in the public streets or in the central business district of the city which is defined as that area bounded on the north by Woodside Street, on the south by Sutherland Street, on the east by Ash Street and on the west by Maple Street. All fireworks shall at all times be sold, purchased, stored and discharged in accordance with state regulations. The governing body may grant special permission for pyrotechnical displays at such times and places as the governing body may determine. In addition to federal and state prohibitions, the following types of fireworks are shall not be sold or used within the city limits unless part of an authorized pyrotechnical display:
- 1. Bottle rocket fireworks;
- 2. Lanterns, sky lanterns or any other uninhabited free floating device which includes a flame or other heating device to heat air as a lifting mechanism;
- 3. Metal sparklers or other hand-held firework that burn slowly while emitting flames, sparks, and other effects that also contain a stiff metal wire covered in part by a dried slow-burning pyrotechnic composition. Bamboo sparklers shall be permitted.
Advice from the McPherson Animal Shelter
Did someone say Tacos?
In the City of McPherson’s strategic vision, a key objective is maintaining an active and improved culture, fostering camaraderie among all City departments. Part of this initiative is a quarterly volunteer gathering of all City staff during lunch hours.
This time around, the McPherson Street Department hosted staff for delicious Street Tacos, prepared mostly by street department employee Jacob Wiard, an equipment operator in training.
The food was incredible and was matched by the conversation among staff. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve collaboration and unity across departments, ultimately enhancing an already-solid work environment.
Read more about the City’s strategic vision by clicking here. Thank you Jacob and thank you to the Street Department for hosting.
Welcome to the team
The City of McPherson welcomed two new full-time employees and numerous seasonal/temporary employees during the month of June. Welcome everyone and thank you for dedicating your professional lives to public service.
Lee Froese — Police Officer, McPherson Police Department
Julianna Kaufman — Assistant City Clerk, Administration
Project reminder
With a continued focus on providing alternative transportation routes and capitalizing on grant funds, the City of McPherson will begin Phase II of the Northview 10-foot sidewalk project in July.
Awarded a second grant for the continuation of the project, the City will install a 10-foot wide sidewalk along the north side of Northview Avenue. The sidewalk will run from Main Street to the east side of Veranda Circle, matching the work already done from Main Street west to the Highway 81 Bypass (pictured).
This phase of the improvement also will see a new 5-foot sidewalk on the south side of Northview that will run from Main to Grimes Street, and will see a large ditch on that side of the road converted to a covered storm drain. While the sidewalk will run from Main to Grimes, the drain will be complete all the way to Sonora Drive, eliminating the need for the existing ditch.
Set to begin around the third week in July, contractors have 120 days to finish, but estimated about 90 days to complete the work.
The Transportation Alternative grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation provides federal funding to promote and enable use of alternative transportation methods. Read more about Transportation Alternatives through KDOT.
On this particular project (awarded in 2022), the grant covers nearly $970,000 of the estimated $1.2 million project cost.
In addition, Disability Supports of the Great Plains — which will benefit from the 5-foot sidewalk — agreed to help with a percentage of the City’s portion of the project.
The 10-foot sidewalk will connect all the residents in the area with walking/biking access all the way to the Meadowlark Trail on the west end of town.
Project updates
Elm Street
With an unexpected amount of heavy rainfall during the last few weeks, not much progress has been made on the reconstruction of the 1100 block of Elm Street. The work is being done in-house by the McPherson Street Department staff.
The project will include removal of the existing street the widening the roadway to 32 feet. The department then will place new curb and gutter and driveway inlets — along with new sidewalks.
After that, the first phase will be completed as the street will be covered with 6 inches of concrete millings. These milling will serve as the roadway for roughly a year, while traffic will compact the street, developing a solid base. After one year, the millings will be shaved down in order to make room for an overlay to complete the project.
Myers Street
Weather has slowed the progress on Myers Street a little bit as well. Work began June 9 as Myers Street will be replaced from First Street to Hulse Street, following the same process as Elm Street.
Contractor Vogts-Parga will remove the street, replace curb and gutter and driveway inlets, while City staff will then come in and complete the millings and sidewalks. The temporary surface (8 inches of crushed concrete) will remain for roughly a year to compact before an overlay will finish the project.
On that project, the first block has been rocked (Pictured) and as soon as it is stable enough and the weather permits, the curb and gutter will be poured. The removal of the second block also has begun.
Police sub-station
Work continues on the McPherson Police Department substation at 218 E. Kansas Avenue. The building has been painted and most of the interior walls have been built and electrical work is taking place.
Police Department staff worked quickly to fix an issue caused by all the recent rainfall and worked with contractor Kuluva Construction and other City staff to fix a drainage problem.
The substation will not only ease overcrowding issues in the joint Law Enforcement Center on the west edge of town, but also will give the City force a bigger presence downtown and in a central location.
Lakeside Park Shelter #4
The latest in the rebuilding of shelters in Lakeside Park is nearing completion and will be ready for use this summer. The only thing remaining is the electrical work required for lighting and outlets.
Shelter No. 4 is the fifth shelter in Lakeside Park to be rebuilt with only one remaining on the list for next year. Old metal shelters were repurposed throughout the City by other departments where needed.
Shelters throughout the City's park system can be used on a first-come, first-served basis. However, Shelters can be reserved for a small administration fee and will be guaranteed empty for your reserved time. For more information, contact the McPherson Park Department at 620-245-2565 or click here.
Odds/Ends
Golf course giveaway
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Turkey Creek Golf Course, staff at the public facility has put together a chance to win a lifetime membership.
From now until Dec. 31, those wishing to purchase a chance in the drawing can do so at the TCGC Clubhouse, 1000 Fox Run.
Tickets are $20 for one or $50 for three entries. A sequence of drawings is scheduled to begin Jan. 2, 2026, with several to follow as a myriad of prizes will be handed out. The sequence will end with the drawing for the grand prize on Feb. 1, 2026.
For more information reach out to TCGC clubhouse manager Collin Duckworth at 620-241-8530 or email collind@mcpcity.com.
Active Shooter Training
On June 26, The McPherson Police Department and McPherson Fire Department joined a variety of other organizations as well as the Local Emergency Planning Committee for an active shooter scenario training at Eisenhower Elementary School (pictured).
The scenario was organized by the McPherson PD and was followed by a hostage training for McPherson’s Special Response Team, negotiators and drone team.
The PD, Fire Department and other City staff are very active members of the LEPC, attending various trainings and tours in an effort to be prepared.
LEEDA Trilogy
Congratulations go out to McPherson Police Department Captains Ryan Bauer, Kyle Askren and Mike Davis for completing the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy.
The trio attended the LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute Training Course at the Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center in Wichita.
Topics covered included trends in law enforcement, public trust and legitimacy, bias and diversity, and employee wellness. The training completed the trilogy that includes supervisor command and executive leadership training.
Chief Mikel Golden, Assistant Chief Todd Martens and Captain Jason Cummins also have completed the trilogy for the McPherson PD.
City gets new phone system
The City of McPherson in June upgrade to a new VOIP phone system with more capabilities and addressed some minor communication issues across departments.
Restoration project
The City of McPherson Fire Department has begun fundraising for the restoration of a 1949 Seagrave, a truck previously in service for the department.
In an effort to fundraise, the department is selling off challenge coins featuring the 1928 American LaFrance, which underwent the same restoration during the last few years and is on display inside McPherson Fire Station 2.
Coins are $10 with proceeds going directly to restoration projects.
Adopt, don't shop
As of June 30, there are five dogs ready for adoption at the McPherson Animal Shelter. Visit here to find out how you can provide a 'fur'ever home.
A look-Ahead
July 3 — Kick off your Independence Day celebration with some patriotic music from the Intrepid Brass Band, 8 p.m. at Lakeside Park Bandshell.
July 4 — Independence Day. Celebrate your freedom by doing whatever it is you like to do. Just be safe. Don’t forget the Fourth of July Extravaganza, 7 p.m. at Wall park.
July 7 — StoryTime on the Trolley with the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau. Hop aboard the McPherson Trolley at the McPherson Museum, 1111 E. Kansas. Leaves every 30 minutes from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
July 11 — ”Shop the Night Away — Rock The Block,” an annual shopping event put on by McPherson Main Street in downtown McPherson, 4 to 8 p.m.
July 25-28 -—The McPherson County 4-H Fair with various activities on the 4-H grounds. For a complete schedule, go to mcpherson.k-state.edu
Aug. 1 — The annual McPherson High School All-Class Reunion, 5 to 10 p.m. at the McPherson Community Building, 122 E. Marlin.
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