NEEWOLLAH FESTIVAL

A fun holiday travel review

Festival in Independence, Kansas

Independence, Kansas is a small town located in Southeast Kansas situated along the Verdigris River and close to the Oklahoma State Line.  It is the home of the Little House on The Prairie Museum where the famous Laura Ingalls Wilder lived.

Back in 1919, the City Fathers decided to provide a way to eliminate the typical Halloween pranks that had been occurring around that holiday. To that end, they began a program of positive activities for kids of all ages. These activities included several parades throughout the day and evening of October 31st, with  decorated cars and carriages, along with Queens and Princesses from area festivals. These included their own town Queen who was elected based on the number of votes bought at a penny each.

The festival was interrupted by The Great Depression and World War II, but in 1958 local businessmen revived and elaborated on this festival and brought it back as a 3-day celebration. The festival is named NEEWOLLAH (Halloween, spelled backwards).

Neewollah

This annual Halloween festival held in Independence, a town of only 8,500 inhabitants, is today the largest annual festival in all of Kansas. During the festival, which now is a 9-day celebration, the town grows to 75,000 people. 

Events have grown to include three parades, including one for the kiddies, and a Grand Parade. There is also a Chili cook-off, a musical, and the Queen Neelah pageant. 

There are food vendors, an Arts and Crafts show, and a Fun Run. You will find a bandstand for nightly entertainment. This festival has activities for everyone of any age. 

A Musical is a planned part of the festival each year. In 2026, the musical will be Disney’s FROZEN. The show is always performed by a local cast and live orchestra. 

Summary

This year’s Neewollah Festival will be held October 23 - 31, 2026. To find out more about Independence, Kansas, including its Neewollah Festival, the free park & zoo, the several interesting museums, and the Children’s Summer Theatre, please visit: http://www.indkschamber.org/

*Travel Review of the Neewollah Festival in Independence, Kansas

    ~Written by Wednesday Elf

**Source of images: Pixabay

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