TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A new mural under the Kansas Avenue Memorial Bridge will be unveiled Thursday afternoon in North Topeka.

A ceremony celebrating the mural will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2 under the bridge near Veterans Park, 131 N.E. Laurent St.

The finished mural, titled “Reflections of North Topeka,” is the culmination of a project that brought together artists, students, volunteers, local leaders and community members to create a lasting tribute to the history and spirit of North Topeka.

“Over the past several months, the bridge has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery that tells the story of our community,” organizers said in a news release. “From the area’s Indigenous roots and the Kaw Nation to the development of Eugene, the growth of North Topeka, and the revitalization of today’s NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the mural celebrates the people, places, and events that shaped our community.

“What makes this mural truly special is the community behind it. More than 90 volunteers helped paint this project, proving that when people come together with a shared vision, incredible things can happen.”

The celebration will include:

• The official unveiling of the completed mural
• A brief program with remarks from the mural team
• A ceremonial ribbon cutting
• An opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the stories behind the artwork
• Complimentary refreshments

Led by Project Manager and NOTO Arts Administrator Staci Schnacker, lead artist Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, and supporting artists DeAna Morrison, Jordan E. Brooks, and Pradeep K. Bangalore, “this mural is more than public art,” organizers said — “it’s a celebration of the people, places, and history that make North Topeka unique.

This project was supported in part through the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsConnect Topeka, the City of Topeka, Shawnee County Parks + Recreation, and many other community partners, businesses, artists, and volunteers.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas State Fair says Saturday, Sept. 19, will be a hard-hitting night of rock ‘n’ roll, with a three-band lineup for this year’s Rock Fest at the Fair.

From Ashes to New will share the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand with Saliva and Saving Abel. The concert kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

From Ashes to New

Blending hard rock, hip-hop, electronic and alternative rock, Ashes to New has built a loyal fan base with songs like “Barely Breathing,” “Die For You” and “Drag Me,” with the latter reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Charts in May. “Die For You” was used to launch an anti-bullying campaign in 2018.

Saliva

Saliva saw its first taste of mainstream success with 2001’s “Every Six Seconds,” which featured its breakout hit “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award. The band has continued forward since the 2021 death of founding guitarist Wayne Swinny, with Bobby Amaru as frontman.

Saving Abel

Southern rockers Saving Abel launched in a Memphis suburb in 2004. The band’s multiplatinum hit “Addicted,” from its 2008 self-titled album, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Reserved tickets go on sale starting Thursday starting at $45 for the grandstand and up to $415 for a VIP reserved table for six that includes two drink tickets, complimentary appetizers before the show and early entrance.

You can find full details at kansasstatefair.gov or call 620-669-3618.