TOPEKA - On Thursday afternoon, Country Stampede posted to social media and emailed festival-goers of the need to search for a new venue for 2024 and future years.
In 2019, the festival moved from Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan to Topeka.
On Friday, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce responded to the news the Country Stampede was looking for a new home.
" Country Stampede is a unique and important part of Manhattan’s history."
"Thousands of people traveled to Manhattan over the two decades the event was held annually at Tuttle Creek State Park to see some of the most successful country music artists in the business."
"The economic impact on our community was extremely important and Visit Manhattan and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce played a significant role in the ongoing success of the event."
"The move to Topeka in 2019 coincided with a change in ownership and a change in strategic direction of the event."
"We, along with tourism groups across the region, received a request for proposal (RFP) from entities representing Country Stampede to determine our community’s interest in hosting the festival again."
"While we are always excited for opportunities to attract world class events to Manhattan, the logistics of holding such an event requires a significant commitment from the community."
"We will be working with our regional partners including the City of Manhattan and Tuttle Creek State Park officials to determine how we develop the best Manhattan response to this opportunity."