Experience Salina 365: a Visit Salina Blog - Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

Rolling Hills Zoo’s Sloth Has Arrived

8/24/2023

SALINA, KANSAS – Rolling Hills Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of Sylvia, the zoo’s first Linne’s two-toed sloth.

Born at Zoo Miami, this female sloth is now 4 years old, and while still young, she will likely be paired with a male in the future on a breeding recommendation.

The Streets are Alive: Boom! Salina Street Art & Mural Festival back for 2023

7/28/2023

Boom! Salina Street Art & Mural Festival is back for its second year, and it's bigger and better than ever. In the weeks leading up to October 5-7th, 2023, the streets of downtown Salina, KS will be transforming into a vibrant canvas of art. This event will feature a variety of world-class muralists from around the globe, each bringing their own unique style of art to the area.

Rolling Hills Zoo Welcomes New Addax Birth

7/26/2023

SALINA, KANSAS - Rolling Hills Zoo welcomed a new addax calf to the herd, born on July 17, 2023. This is the first offspring for mother, Felicity, and the sixth by Ajax, the calf’s father.

Hyena Makes Debut At Rolling Hills Zoo

7/25/2023

SALINA, KANSAS – A spotted hyena, Maxi, moved to Rolling Hills Zoo this week. This is the first time this species has been a part of Rolling Hills Zoo, with plans to add a male hyena in the future.

Vote for your favorite SculptureTour Salina piece!

7/11/2023

The 2023 SculptureTour Salina pieces are on display. Which one is your favorite so far? Be sure to check them out along Santa Fe & Iron and cast a ballot for your favorite one! Voting is open to ALL ages, Salina residents and visitors alike! It’s so easy!

• Ballots are located in the silver boxes at the mid-block crosswalks on Santa Fe.
• Walk the exhibit with your family, friends, co-workers
• Complete the ballot inside the brochure and return to a downtown business or in the silver ballot boxes near mid-block crosswalks.

Photo taken by: Michael Freeland

18th Anniversary of Global Flyer Pilot Steve Fossett's 67 Hour Non-Stop Flight Around the World

3/3/2023

Where were you 18 years ago today? We know where we were…at Salina Regional Airport awaiting the return of GlobalFlyer and spending the day celebrating with the world that world record feat by the amazing Steve Fossett – One Man, One Plane, One World in 67 hours, originating and landing in Salina, Kansas!

Take some time today or this weekend and visit Fossett Plaza at Salina Regional Airport to learn more. Share the story with people who weren’t fortunate enough to be in Salina those exciting days – February 28 through March 3, 2005. Follow us on Facebook and tell YOUR GlobalFlyer story. What a proud moment in aviation history. We’re proud to have been a small part, and witnesses to the event!

National Division II Christian Homeschool Basketball Tournament Selects Salina as Host Location

2/27/2023

The National Division II Christian Homeschool Basketball Tournament (ND2CHA) has selected Salina as its host location for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 Tournaments. The three-day event is expected to attract 80+ teams featuring middle high and high school boys and girls from several states throughout the Midwest annually to Salina. Dates of the event follow:

2024:     Feb. 29 – March 2, 2024 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
2025:     March 6 – March 8, 2025 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
2026:     March 5 – March 7, 2026 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

The Salina Fieldhouse and Kansas Wesleyan University’s Mabee Arena will be the primary facilities for the event. Most of the tournament play will take place at the Salina Fieldhouse beginning Thursday. Games will begin at about 7:30 AM and continue to 10:00 PM daily. On Friday afternoon, the event takes a “Time Out”, which is a special event for players and spectators featuring a devotional speaker and a shooting contest. The Time-Out will take place in Mabee Arena, where there will be plenty of seating and space for all participants.

Steve Poage, ND2CHA Basketball Tournament Director, “We are excited to have our tournament in Salina. Besides the central location, Salina has exceptional facilities like the Salina Fieldhouse and KWU’s Mabee Arena. In addition, Salina’s diverse lodging and dining options will provide excellent choices for our athletes, families, officials, and spectators. We believe the move to Salina is a WIN/WIN, a WIN for the homeschool basketball organization and a WIN for the student athletes and all participants!

Visit Salina has estimated that the three-day event will generate an economic impact of $932,000 into the Salina area.

Tiffany Benien, Visit Salina, commented, “A big thank you to the National Division II Christian Homeschool Association and to the Salina Fieldhouse and Kansas Wesleyan University on working together to make this event a possibility in Salina. This is a great event for Salina, and we are so excited to welcome teams from throughout the United States. I truly believe Salina will embrace this event, provide an atmosphere to grow in the future, and continue its success!”

For more information contact:
Tiffany Benien, Sports & Events
Visit Salina/Salina Area Chamber of Commerce
tbenien@salinakansas.or

Finest Burgers In Town

2/16/2023

Burgers. Arguably one of America's favorite mealtime choices. Whether you prefer cheese only or all the works, hot n spicy or traditional, a sack full of sliders or a meal size selection, you will find YOUR burger here in Salina! We couldn't possibly feature all of the burger options Salina has to offer, so we decided to introduce you to just a few favorites.

No Salina burger blog could be complete without Cozy Inn Hamburgers - Buy 'Em By the Sack slider-style burgers. This six-stool hamburger stand just celebrated their 100th birthday in 2022. These 'aromatic' little gems come one way - grilled with onion, no cheese, on a bun with pickle and ketchup. Recognized by USA Today, Yelp and many other rankings.

Paramount Bar likes to mix it up with burger specials not from the menu. My favorite...the Royal Blue, featuring bacon, BOTH blue cheese crumbles AND an incredible blue cheese sauce.

There are unique burger options at Chuck's Bar & Grill. Check out the Big Smoky...1/3 lb fresh Angus beef, topped with bacon, beef brisket, cheddar cheese and Jack Daniels sauce. Extra napkins please! YUM!

Blue Skye Brewery & Eats is known for its brick oven pizza, but their excellent burgers hold their own! And you can substitute a 6 oz chicken breast for the 1/3 lb burger if that's your thing. Our pick...the burger topped with pepperjack cheese, bacon, chipotle aoli, pickles, siracha and...peanut butter. Yep, it's a keeper!

KSHSAA Wresting at its Best!

2/1/2023

KSHSAA State Wrestling
Salina is pleased to host the KSHSAA State Wrestling Tournaments at Tony’s Pizza Events Center February 22-25, 2023. The Class 4A-1A Girls’ Tournaments will take place Wednesday and Thursday, February 22-23. From throughout the state, 224 female wrestlers will be competing in 14 different weight classes. The 4A State Boys Tournaments will be held Friday and Saturday, February 24-25, where 224 male wrestlers will compete in 14 different weight classes. State competitors earn their seed by qualifying at the regional tournaments. In each weight class, 16 wrestlers will qualify to compete for the opportunity to win a state championship.

“The KSHSAA is honored to host the girls’ 4A-1A and boys’ Class 4A state wrestling tournaments in Salina. The city of Salina, Visit Salina, and The Tony’s Pizza Events Center have been amazing partners for the KSHSAA, the member schools represented, the participants, families of the participants and the communities of Kansas for these two great events.”
Mark Lentz, Asst. Executive Director - KSHSAA

For more information about the event, including tickets and results go to www.tonyspizzaeventcenter.com or https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Wrestling/Main.cfm

Boom! Salina - Street Art & Mural Festival

10/4/2022

Mural Festival Boom! Salina is IS HERE - October 6th- 16th
In cooperation with Salina Arts & Humanities, the Stiefel Theatre, Theatre Salina, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, The Salina Art Center, Salina 2020 and Salina Downtown Inc, the Salina Kanvas Project is pleased to announce the 1st annual Boom! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival October 6th– 16th 2022. The event will feature world renowned muralists Telmo Miel (Netherlands), Mona Caron (Switzerland), Tony Sjöman (Sweden), Joe Iurato (USA), Mantra (France), and Logan Hicks (USA).

In all, the six artists will transform five buildings downtown with unique and breathtaking murals. The artists have created work around the globe, and each has their own style and look. The collection will advance Salina’s already exciting public art vibe to another level. For a map that indicates where you can stop by and watch the artists at work go to BoomSalina.art/#Map

“We are excited to have such a great line-up of artists joining us for this inaugural event. Their work will not only add to our communal landscape, but will make Salina Downtown a major destination for those that want to be inspired by world-class public art. We thank the building owners and financial donors for making this happen.” – Travis Young, Salina Kanvas co-founder “Being visually stimulated is something people crave subconsciously, where they are and especially when they least expect it. With this festival we are trying to tap into a different wavelength that has broad appeal and of a caliber that will put Salina on the map.” – Eric Montoy, Salina Kanvas co-founder .

WAIT…There is MORE!
In addition, the artists are being joined by Martha Cooper (USA), known as the “godmother” of street art photography. The Salina Art Center will host Martha for a photography exhibit through October 23rd and will screen A Picture Story Film at the Art Center Cinema on October 12th at 5:30pm. This will be followed by a mural artist panel.

And Even MORE!
In addition to the creation of murals, the festival will feature live music on October 14th and 15th in Campbell Plaza. Throughout the festival, entertainment is being presented across the community. See the list of events here or visit www.boomsalina.art for more information.