It’s that wonderful time ofyear when temperaturesbegin to warm and spirits arehigh with the anticipation oflonger days. We welcomenew and returning visitors toManhattan and encourage allto check out some of theseawesome activities to get outand enjoy The Little Apple®!

St. Patrick’s Day—it mightnot be “ours” to celebrate,but dog-gonnit, Manhattanloves this holiday! Manyrestaurants around town willfeature St. Patrick’s Day spe-cials, so take the family outto your favorite place andsee what’s new! Don’t forget,follow your favorite restau-

rants on Twitter or Facebookto keep tabs on their dailyspecials!

March 17One of Manhattan’s mostelaborate St. Patty’s dayrestaurant celebrations willtake place at Little AppleBrewing Co.in Westloop.The ritualblessing ofthe taps.Begins at11:30 a.m.,with therelease oftheir “RedHead IrishRed” and

“Kiss my Blarney Irish Stout.”Live Irish music all day longand traditional Irish dishes,guests will not be disappointed.

Coco Bolos will celebratewith an Irish steak and bis-cuit feed, in addition to fea-turing Boulevard Irish Ale on

tap all March long. An establishment celebratingIrish heritage year-round,Keltic Star, will serve up adelicious corned beef andcabbage special. Wear yourkilts, if you have them, andbelly up to the bar for 5British-styled drafts.

March 15Kick it off bright and earlywith a Blarney Breakfast atKite’s! Green eggs and hamstart at 7:30 a.m. as afundraiser for the ManhattanArts Center.

There are two road racesthrough Aggieville on the15th in celebration of St.

Patrick’s Day. First a 2-milefun run and walk begins at10:00 a.m. The 10K starts at10:45 a.m. Interested partici-pants need to register forboth races. Visit www.uni-versityextras.com/lets-gorun.com/st-patricks-day-road-races

The annual St. Patrick’s DayParade begins at 2 p.m. Linethe streets of Aggieville tocatch this large and in chargeevent! There will be floats,cool cars, crazy hats, bag-pipes and endless arrays ofentertainment. Pile on all thegreen you have—trust us,you will not be out of place!

March 2014Volume 14, Issue 3A publication of the

ManhattanConvention &Visitors Bureau

March your way into The Little Apple®

Check out these great shows!Annie the Musical is coming to the nearby Columbian Theatre inWamego! This Broadway musical originally opened in 1977, and isstill a well-loved favorite. Join 11-year old orphan Annie on her search for a family. Showtimes are March 28-30, April 4-6 and 11-13.www.columbiantheatre.com or call 785-456-2029 for tickets. Boxoffice hours are Tues-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-3p.m.

Kansas State University’s McCain Auditorium continues to bringlarger-than-life productions to Manhattan. Here are March’s upcoming shows.

Head to the opera with The Old Maid and the Thief &Trial by Jury,two one-act operas in Chapman (formerly Nichols) Theatre.Performances are March 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 at 2:30 p.m.

The McCain Performance Series presents Danu on March 7, 7:30p.m. Get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with thisrousing musical journey to Ireland!

Make plans to attend SpringDance 2014 on March28 and 29th. It’s a lively evening of tap, jazz andballet by K-State students and dance faculty.

March closes with the Soweto Gospel Choir onthe 30th at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the rich heritage ofthis soulful music.

West Side Story with the Sharks vs. the Jets willentertain audiences April 3 at 7:30 p.m., and EarthHarp Meets Oud is April 6th at 4 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at www.k-state.edu/mccain, by calling 785-532-6428, or byvisiting the box office at McCain 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Calling all kids! Join the Manhattan Arts Center for Paul Mesner Puppets, “The Comical Adventures ofOld Mother Hubbard,” who is always out looking for her best friend, spinning and dancing the days away.This comedy takes place March 15th at 4 p.m.

Also at the Manhattan Arts Center during March is the KSU saxophone concert. Find them March 29that 7:30 p.m. Admission to this woodwind serenade is $15/adults and $10 military, students and children.Visit www.manhattanarts.org or call 785-537-4420

Danu

Soweto Gospel Choir

Paul Messner Puppets

Westside Story

Take just one minute out of your month to catch up on themost exciting upcoming events and activities in Manhattan!‘Minute in Manhattan’ kicks off the beginning of each monthwith oodles of fun ideas for the whole family. Subscribe toour YouTube channel so you never miss a monthly video!

www.youtube.com/manhattancvb.

Sports in The Little Apple®

It’s Spring! Enjoy some sunshine and fresh air ata K-State baseball game this spring! The BatCats play at Tointon Family Stadium all Marchlong. The full schedule is atwww.kstatesports.com.

It’s 2A time! Highschool basketballteams in the 2Adivision are pack-ing up fromacross the stateand heading toBramlageColiseum. Theseplayers havefought hard to bethe best in theirleagues are sub state champs. And now com-pete in the 2A high school state basketballtournament over the course of four days herein Manhattan. The State tournament takes place March 12-15th. Good luck to all participatingteams—come by and cheer them on! During 2013 over 10,000 fans came to cheer on theirteams providing Manhattan as estimated economic input of nearly 1 million dollars. Belleville/Republic County are the reigning boys champs and Smith Center girls are the reigning girlsstate champs.

‘Wine-ing’ UpThe FlintHills Festivalof Wines isapproaching!It’s a week-end of wine,dinner, auc-tions andsocializingthat serve asa fundraiserfor the Homecare & Hospice Foundation. Kick things off on the 7th with the Wine Dinner and LiveAuction event at 6:30. This portion of the event will be heldat the beautiful Colbert’s overlooking the Colbert Hills golfcourse. Don’t miss your chance to participate in the firstedition of “dueling wines” dinner, with contrasting winesfrom around the world being paired with each course!

A private tasting and grand tasting event will continue onthe 8th at the Hilton Garden Inn. The private tasting willrun from 5:30 -8:30 p.m., and the grand tasting runs from6:30-9:30 p.m. More than 200 wines and spirits will be featured.

Tickets are required for this event and can be purchasedonline, or by calling the Homecare & Hospice office at 785-537-0688.

Football FeverHave you been to the Football exhibit at the Flint HillsDiscovery Center yet? It’s available through June 1st, andincorporates special weekends with local celebrities, andreal-life football players to answer questions and help visi-tors enjoy this limited-time exhibit! Win TWO free pass-es to the Flint Hills Discovery Center and check out the fun on April 12th or May 10th!

You can throw footballs, throw your weight around on the balance board, see how fast you runand how fast your reflexes are, and much more! This is a great adventure for the whole family.Email “football” to autumn@manhattan.org for your chance to win!

*email addresses will be added to our monthly e-newsletter*tickets are good during any normal business hours, not just special weekends

Take a pic and Win!

In honor of the arts, we want to see what you have tooffer! Send us your favorite “fan pics” and we’ll enter youto win two tickets to see Earth Harp Meets Ould atMcCain Auditorium on April 12! Pictures can be anythingin/of Manhattan including people, landscapes, events, orarchitecture. Submit a recent photo to autumn@manhattan.org for your chance to win!

The winning photo will be shared via VisitManhattan information outlets, including ourFacebook page! Start snapping!

FootGolf Comes to Wildcat CreekThere’s a new sports craze on the rise and Wildcat CreekGolf and Fitness will be the first in Manhattan to explore itsopportunities! This sport is, as its name suggests, a combi-nation of soccer and golf. The course will follow the golfcourse currently in place at Wildcat Creek. There will be 18 holes and the price to play will be start at just $12.There will be soccer balls available on-site, or you can bringyour own. The course is expected to officially open in mid-March when all the course components have been installed.

Keep track of the progress, and view complete details atwww.wildcatgolfandfitness.com. One important detail tonote—cleats will NOT be allowed on the course!

Welcome, Heartland PETS!The Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau would liketo extend a welcome to the Rotary President Elect TrainingSeminar conference, meeting in Manhattan for the firsttime! Rotary groups from across the state meet March 7-9at the Hilton Garden Inn to train incoming presidents. Theconference brings 200 attendees in total, who will alsospend time touring the Manhattan community, including thenewly renovated West Stadium. Both local rotary groupsare involved with this conference, and opening ceremoniesinclude the RCPD color guard and a welcome byCommissioner Jankovich.

Karen Hibbard, Directorkaren@manhattan.org

Christy Chase, ConventionSales Manager

christy@manhattan.org

Marcia Rozell, Tourism SalesManager

marcia@manhattan.org

Autumn Shoemaker,Marketing Coordinatorautumn@manhattan.org

Kendra Dekat, AdministrativeAssistant/ Service Coordinator

kendra@manhattan.org

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff

March 20143/3 K-State Womens Basketball v.

TCUBramlage ColiseumTBA800-221-2287

3/4 Preschoolers in the Flint Hills: Trading TrailsFlint Hills Discovery Center1:00-2:00 PM785-587-2726

3/5 K-State Baseball v. Northern ColoradoTointon Family Stadium2:00 PM800-221-2287

3/6Meet the Music: ClarinetBeach Museum of Art, K-State5:30 PM785-532-7718

3/6-3/9 K-State Theatre & Dance: Trial by Jury AND The Old Maid and the Thief (One-Act Opera)Nichols Theatre, K-StateThurs.-Sat. 7:30 PM; Sun. 2:30 PM785-532-6428

3/6 Growing and Cooking Springtime VegetablesPottorf Hall, CiCo Park7:00-8:30 PM785-537-6350

3/7 McCain Performance Series: DanuMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30 PM785-532-6428

3/7 K-State Baseball v. IowaTointon Family Stadium3:00 PM800-221-2287

3/7-3/9McCain Theatre: HarveyManhattan Arts Center785-537-4420

3/8 K-State Baseball v. IowaTointon Family Stadium2:00 PM800-221-2287

3/8K-State Mens Basketball v. BaylorBramlage Coliseum12:30 PM800-221-2287

3/8 Emporia State University DayFlint Hills Discovery Center10:00 AM-5:00 PM785-587-2726

3/9 Kansas State Wind Ensemble/Wind SymphonyMcCain Auditorium, K-State3:00-4:30 PM785-532-3816

3/9 K-State Baseball v. IowaTointon Family Stadium1:00 PM800-221-2287

3/10 Kansas State Concert Band/ University BandMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30-9:00 PM785-532-3816

3/11 Lawn Mowing ClinicPottorf Hall, CiCo Park4:30-7:00 PM785-537-6350

3/12-3/15 2A State High School BasketballBramlage Coliseum785-776-8829

3/12 K-State Baseball v. Nebraska-OmahaTointon Family Stadium6:30 PM800-221-2287

3/14 K-State Baseball v. Northern ColoradoTointon Family Stadium6:30 PM800-221-2287

3/14 Adventure Camp: Big Bad BisonFlint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/15 MAC Children's Theatre: Paul Mesner Puppets: Old Mother HubbardManhattan Arts Center4:00 PM785-537-4420

3/15 36th Annual Aggieville St. Patrick's Day Parade & Road RaceAggieville10:00 AM-4:00 PM785-776-8050

3/16 K-State Baseball v. Northern ColoradoTointon Family Stadium1:00 PM800-221-2287

3/17 Adventure Camp (Grades K-6): Luck of the IrishFlint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/18 Adventure Camp (Grades K-6):Wamego ExploredFlint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/18 K-State Baseball v. Air ForceTointon Family Stadium6:30 PM800-221-2287

3/19 Adventure Camp (Grades K-6): Camping for KidsFlint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/19 K-State Baseball v. Air ForceTointon Family Stadium3:00 PM800-221-2287

3/20 Adventure Camp (Grades K-6): Springs-A-Comin’Flint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/21 Adventure Camp (Grades K-6): Camp: Fire!Flint Hills Discovery Center8:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM785-587-2726

3/21 Go See It! Lecture Series: The Glowing HillsFlint Hills Discovery Center7:00-8:00 PM785-587-2726

3/22 Community Appreciation DaySunset Zoo12:00-5:00 PM785-587-2730

3/24 Home Show 2014National Guard Armory12:00 PM-5:00 PM785-532-9080

3/26 K-State Baseball v. NebraskaTointon Family Stadium6:30 PM800-221-2287

3/27 Film: Nostalgia for the LightBeach Museum of Art, K-State6:30 PM785-532-7718

3/28-3/29 K-State Theatre & Dance:SpringdanceMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30 PM785-532-6428

3/28-3/30 AnnieColumbian Theatre, Museum &Art Center, WamegoFri. & Sat. 7:30 PM; Sun. 2:00 PM785-456-2029

3/29 Wicked MarathonBody First Tennis and Fitness Facility785-537-8300

3/30 McCain Performance Series: Soweto Gospel ChoirMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30 PM785-532-6428

4/1-4/23 Spring Music FestivalManhattan Town Center6:00-7:00 PM785-539-3500

4/3 McCain Performance Series: West Side StoryMcCain Auditorium, K-State7:30 PM785-532-6428

4/3-4/5 K-State Theatre & Dance: Anton in Show BusinessPurple Masque Theatre, East Stadium, K-StateThurs.-Sat. 7:30 PM; Sun. 2:30 PM785-532-6428

4/3 Film: Breaking the Maya CodeBeach Museum of Art, K-State4:00 PM785-532-7718

Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau501 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502(785) 776-8829 • (785) 776-0679 fax

February ...............................Anticipated Attendance NumbersConferences/Meetings/Reunions05 Kansas Counseling Association Annual Meeting .......................20006 Heartland PETS (rotary).................................................................200

President Elect Training Seminar06 Mid-America Association for Computers & Education (MACE)

Annual Convention..........................................................................50012 Kansas Bankers Association...........................................................150

Kansas Ag Bankers Conference22 Sons of the American Revolution meeting .....................................628 Kansas Association of Taxidermists Annual Meeting................12531 Kansas PowerSchool User Group Spring Conference............30004/01 Grand York Rite ..................................................................................70

Kansas Session (Masonic Meetings)04/05 ACEware Systems Annual Convention .......................................100Sporting Events13 State Gymnastics Meet ...................................................................40015 St. Patrick's Day Road Races ......................................................1,40029 Body First Wicked Marathon ........................................................100

Upcoming Conferences, Sports and Special Events in The Little Apple®

Vision Statement:Destination Manhattan!

Mission Statement:To expand the local area economy by attracting visitors.

Kelly Loub, Chair, DiningJenn Alley, HotelEvan Grier, DiningBernie Haney, Youth/SportsTodd Holmberg, Entertainment/KSUGregg Joyal, HotelMeredith McKee, HotelTerry Olson, RetailWayne Rouse, Entertainment

Evan Tuttle, AttractionJeff Wolfe, Meeting Planner/ KSU

Ex-OfficioEddie Estes, City of ManhattanLyle Butler, Chamber PresidentKaren McCulloh, City Commissioner

Manhattan CVB Steering Committee