From its humble beginnings as a downtown street fair in 1976, the Smoky Hill River Festival has evolved into one of the Midwest’s most recognized celebrations. The Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund at the Greater Salina Community Foundation began in 2013 and will provide resources to guarantee that the River Festival remains affordable and accessible for years to come. The Fund also will help the Festival become financially self-sufficient, to in turn provide funds to area cultural providers so that the spirit of the Festival may be shared throughout the year.
Festival Legacy Donors
Festival Legacies
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Legacy Donors |
The Smoky Hill River Festival wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of many individuals, businesses, and organizations. While it isn’t possible to adequately thank the thousands of volunteers, service providers, and donors who support the Festival, the Salina Arts & Humanities Commission recognizes a few each year who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure to the event.
*denotes a posthumous recognition
2013: The beginning
The Family of Tony Buccigrossi
Loreen Buccigrossi and daughters Angela Buccigrossi Schafer and Michelle Buccigrossi Neuschafer, remember their husband and father, Tony, with the first gift to the new Festival Legacy Fund, at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. The Buccigrossi’s were involved in creating and managing the Festival’s first children’s activity area in the mid-’80s and have helped in many other significant ways over the years. Their legacy gift to the Festival helps honor Tony’s life in a very special way and honors their family’s cherished memories. In addition, their Legacy Fund gift opens the door for many others to do the same.
Marie Chapman
For more than three decades of the Smoky Hill River Festival, Marie has drawn detailed maps to organize the layout of the Festival, including applying the spray paint you see each year marking artist tents and parking, pedestrian walkways, and many other important areas of the Festival. She also provided countless hours of technical support. Marie’s planning and execution were one of many examples of the excellent work done by our volunteers every year. You will be missed, Marie- Happy Retirement!
2014: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Dale Cole & Nancy Scanlan – Gates Committee
Dale Cole has served on the Gates Committee for 37 years, and Nancy Scanlan has served since 1978. They each spend many hours securing 200+ volunteers to welcome guests, sell buttons and distribute Programs throughout Festival weekend. Dale, Nancy, and their committee also provide drinks, assistance to Festival attendees, and coordination of volunteers over four days. Commitment like this is increasingly rare, highly valued, and greatly appreciated.
TALENT: City of Salina Departments
The Smoky Hill River Festival benefits from countless hours of professional service by every department within the City of Salina. The Parks and Recreation staff commit hundreds of hours to groom Festival grounds and provide important support services all weekend long. The Public Works Department ensures that streets are ready for thousands of guests and is responsible for a tremendous amount of heavy lifting, fence barricades and sign installation, and other important services that are often taken for granted. A successful Festival is only possible with the support of so many talented and dedicated City of Salina employees.
TREASURE: Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund
The Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund was recently established to allow everyone to make contributions to help sustain the Festival for future generations. Remembering the River Festival as you plan your estate is a special way to ensure that the excitement, beauty, fun, and celebration of community generated by the Festival lasts for decades to come. Contributions to this fund remain forever protected. Please contact Salina Arts & Humanities with any questions about the Legacy Fund and the many ways to contribute.
2015: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Sharon Benson*
Sharon Benson worked for Salina Arts & Humanities and the Smoky Hill River Festival for twenty years. During that time, she touched thousands of lives as she helped shape entertainment, arts education, and many other areas of the Festival. Staff and volunteers have worked hard to fill the gap left since her passing and deeply value the years of service she provided.
TALENT: Steve Hanson
The Eric Stein Stage features two very talented individuals who have helped shape the Smoky Hill River Festival. They deserve our sincere thanks. This is the 30th year of the Festival Jam sponsored by Steve Hanson and Salina Media Group. What was once an ancillary event has now become inseparable from the Festival and is a wonderful kickoff to the event.
TALENT: Loren Banninger
Loren Banninger has served as the emcee for the main stage for more than thirty-five years. During that time, he helped influence many positive changes to the stage and the Festival. He has the support of his immediate and extended family in the many hours of work involved with managing the stage.
TREASURE: John Gunn of ISG Technologies
John Gunn of ISG Technologies has been an important partner with the Smoky Hill River Festival for many years in various ways. During that time, the company has provided web hosting and design services for the Festival’s web page. He has also been an individual supporter for many years as well.
2016: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Bob Ash
Bob Ash has worked in the Parks Department for the City of Salina for 31 years, 27 of those as Parks Superintendent. He’s overseen numerous improvements and made great efforts to ensure that Salina’s parks are in the best possible condition. During the Festival, his “other duties as assigned” have ranged from retrieving a roving performer’s nervous pigeon high in a tree to thwarting the theft of a vendor’s cash box. Bob will retire at the conclusion of this year’s Festival. His vision, service, and leadership will be greatly missed.
TIME: Mary Lou Schneider
Mary Lou Schneider began delivering Festival admission buttons in 1977 when she worked for Salina Downtown Inc. In 1986, she volunteered to deliver buttons throughout Salina. In the last 39 years, she has delivered more than 700,000 buttons! This year, Mary Lou made sure that 42 local venues had buttons to sell. She has generously donated her time for four decades in service to the community and the Smoky Hill River Festival. Her work is greatly appreciated!
TALENT: Paul Morgan*
Paul Morgan was a Salina-area musician and sound engineer for many years and provided sound for the Art a la Carte program for 25 years. Additionally, he and his sons helped provide sound for Arty’s and Bravo Salina! Stages at the Smoky Hill River Festival. Paul also was a recipient of a Salina Arts & Humanities Horizons Grant that provided equipment that helped him grow professionally. Paul passed away on March 1st of this year. His patience, professionalism, and artistry will be missed.
TREASURE: Jeri Sparks*
Numerous donors have contributed to the Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation through memorial and Match Madness events since its founding in 2014. This year, a special bequest will be received from the Trust of Jeri Sparks, who passed away in March. After moving here in 1986, the River Festival quickly became her favorite event. She expressed appreciation and gratitude for the Festival’s strong sense of community as well as the variety and quality of arts and entertainment. Jeri’s contribution helps ensure that the Festival will continue for generations to come.
2017: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Ron Dankenbring
Ron Dankenbring has been an employee of the Parks Department for more than 30 years and has been an important asset to his department and the Smoky Hill River Festival. Ron’s technical expertise, patience, and strong work ethic have been an important part of the success of the Festival. Over the years, Ron has provided important guidance during the technical planning and assessment after each Festival. Ron’s desire to help the Festival and Salina’s parks be the best possible is greatly appreciated.
TALENT: Dean Kranzler
Dean Kranzler has been involved in every River Festival since 1977. Whether playing with a featured band (or six bands in one year), providing backline instruments to guest musicians, or welcoming visitors with the Acme Fife and Drum group since the early 1980s, Dean brings his positive attitude and wonderful energy to the Festival. “If it’s good for the Festival, then I’m in!” is a Dean Klenda quote that exemplifies the great spirit he brings to the Festival. Thanks, Dean
TREASURE: Salina Regional Health Center
Ever since St. John’s and Asbury hospitals merged, Salina Regional Health Center has provided important human and financial resources for the Smoky Hill River Festival. The Salina Regional Health Foundation has provided important Festival Families First underwriting for many years, to help underserved kids and their families attend the Festival. More than 100 employees donate their time in Artyopolis and the Baby Station all weekend long. ComCare, a division of SRHC, also provides more than 100 volunteers to manage the Festival Fitness Five each year. Thanks to the employees and management of SRHC for supporting the River Festival in so many significant ways.
2018: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Salina Amateur Radio Club and Saline County Emergency Management
The Salina Amateur Radio Club and Saline County Emergency Management have provided important Lost & Found services to the Festival for more than three decades. These well-trained volunteers help find lost items or parents who have wandered away from their children. They also provide important and up-to-date weather information to staff, artists, vendors, and the public throughout Festival week. They operate in organized and efficient ways and are a tremendous asset to the smooth operation of the Festival.
TALENT: Jamie Hall
In 1976, Jamie Hall was part of the team that moved the Gazebo from where it had been constructed, to its temporary home on Santa Fe and Iron. The following year, Jamie was asked to assist her with the construction and technical needs of the brand new Smoky Hill River Festival. Since 1977, Jamie has contributed his time and professional knowledge serving over 35 years as the Technical Director of the Festival. Whether serving as a resource with local contractors or other service providers, teaching gofers construction skills and how to properly tie knots to secure tents, or just generally helping things run smoothly, Jamie has been a valuable resource to the success of the River Festival.
TREASURE: Earl Bane Foundation
The Earl Bane Foundation has contributed more than $200,000 in financial support for Festival improvements and park enhancements over the last 17 years. This has included ramps, decorations, stages, electrical improvements, and many other amenities that make the River Festival special and Oakdale Park more functional all year long.
2019: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Salina Iron & Metal
Salina Iron & Metal quietly and efficiently supports the Smoky Hill River Festival in a very important way. Each year they provide roll-off containers that hold tons of debris from the Festival. Patrons fill cans in the park; the AMBUCS club’s 100+ volunteers bag it up and take it outside the park for hauling. Their staff makes numerous trips to the landfill over the weekend and helps us keep the Festival clean and welcoming.
TALENT: KSAL
KSAL has been providing news, public service announcements, live broadcasts, and in-kind commercial air time for all 43 years of the Smoky Hill River Festival. In addition to KSAL, the Rocking M family of stations and their professional staff are an important resource in sharing the news, stories, and events surrounding each year’s Festival. Their contributions are greatly appreciated.
TREASURE: Danny Huehl, Kansas Homes & Movers
Danny Huehl, owner of Kansas Homes and Movers, has provided the Festival headquarters every year of the Smoky Hill River Festival. The homes he brings serve as an office, dressing room, technical and hospitality service, and an important place for volunteers, staff, and committees to find a little relief during Festival week. Renting, shipping, and setting up such a facility can cost in excess of $10,000 each year from other commercial providers, making this a very important contribution.
2021: Time, Talent, Treasure
TIME: Exline, Inc. and the Exline Family
Exline Inc. and the Exline families have supported the Festival for all of its 45 years. They have donated, volunteered, served as an important technical resource, and shared their manufacturing space for Festival storage. The family also has collaborated to create the installation Reinventing the Wheel, designed by David Exline and manufactured at their Salina facility. Thanks to the Exline family and Exline, Inc. team for supporting the Festival and community in such generous ways.
Not pictured: Jerry and Carol Exline, Doug and Anita Exline and their families.
TALENT: Ruby Tilton
Ruby Tilton has been the stage manager of Arty’s Stage for 25 years. During this time, she has shared her talents as a musician, served as a warm and welcoming host to kids and their families, and has been an excellent ambassador to the hundreds of performers who have been on stage. She has provided important insight to Festival staff and committees and helps ensure that Arty’s Stage is a wonderful place to be.
TREASURE: Kent Fellers
Kent Fellers has been involved in every Smoky Hill River Festival since it began. He volunteered for the setup crew in the early years, assisted with the Festival Fitness Five race when it started, and has provided in-kind and financial support through his business, Arrow Printing and Stationery Company. Kent’s dedication and commitment to the River Festival are greatly appreciated.
2022: Festival Legacies
Ken Jennison
Ken Jennison spent more than 70 years working in various capacities at KSAL radio, including general manager, until his full retirement in 2020. He was an avid supporter of the greater community during this time, especially the Smoky Hill River Festival. Ken has made a personal donation to the Festival every year since its beginning in 1977 and has a collection of every River Festival commemorative print since 1982.
Ken and his wife June, who died in 2019, donated their collection of Festival prints to Presbyterian Manor in 2014, and he continues to add to the collection every year. Ken’s long legacy of giving and his passion for the Smoky Hill River Festival are greatly appreciated.
First Bank Kansas
Since its first year, First Bank Kansas has supported the Smoky Hill River Festival. Over the last 46 years, First Bank has contributed financially, sponsored the popular sand sculpture, funded and staffed Ident-A-Kid in Artyopolis, and has served as an important button and wristband retailer in Salina and their regional branches throughout Kansas. They also purchase wristbands for their employees who volunteer for the Festival. This level of dedication and support is commendable!
Arts Ever After
The positive spirit of the Smoky Hill River Festival is only possible through the generous support of the community. Ensure the Festival for generations by making a donation or estate gift to the Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. Contact Salina Arts & Humanities to request a copy of Arts Ever After, a special endowment catalog that illustrates the power of your gift.
2023: Festival Legacies
Brigid Hall
Brigid Hall has served as the tech director for the Smoky Hill River Festival for many years. Prior to that she served on various committees and has been involved in helping shape the Festival’s success for four decades. She also helped conceive and manages First Treasures, Art for Young Collectors which has grown into a beautiful program that encourages lifelong patronage of the arts. Brigid’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and heart for the Festival are greatly appreciated.
OCCK, Inc.
The Occupational Center of Central Kansas has been an important resource to the Smoky Hill River Festival since its beginning. Over the last 47 years, OCCK has contributed financially, assembled tens of thousands of admission buttons, and in recent years, has provided valuable transportation services for people with disabilities and the general public as they navigate their way to and from the River Festival. At each annual sponsorship visit they ask the question, “What else can we do to help?” This generous spirit reflects part of what makes the Smoky Hill River Festival a special place.
Martha Rhea
Martha Rhea is more than a Festival Legacy; she is the founder of the event and served as the Executive Director of Salina Arts & Humanities for more than 30 years. During her tenure the Festival grew from one small performance stage to three. The visual arts booths grew from 40 to more than 120 and a dedicated area just for kids was created. Martha’s legacy is celebrated each year with our event, and we are thrilled to recognize her contributions.
2024: Festival Legacies
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Salina
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Salina have been important supporters of the Festival since its beginning in 1977. They have been financial supporters, helped secure volunteers, served on committees, assisted with statewide marketing of the event, provided the events center bridge sales trailer, and have provided professional expertise throughout the decades as the Festival has grown.
Great Plains Manufacturing
Great Plains Manufacturing has contributed to the Festival’s success in countless ways. In addition to being generous financial underwriters, they provide Kubota tractors for the Festival trams, provide professional expertise from their staff, and provide technical support for special projects. In recent years, they have made more than twenty summer interns available to assist with the event’s setup. This year, they also underwrote the cost of wristbands for all their employees and spouses as a special thank-you for their service.
Lana and Gary Jordan
Lana and Gary Jordan have been volunteers and financial supporters of the Smoky Hill River Festival and the Horizons Grant program for many years. Additionally, Lana worked for many years at Salina Arts & Humanities as the program administrator for the Horizons Grant Program and River Festival operations. She continues to volunteer each year, helping the staff with administrative responsibilities to prepare for the event. She and Gary are also underwriters of the Art Patron Premiere Party.
2025: Festival Legacies
Bennington State Bank
Bennington State Bank has supported the Festival since establishing its bank in Salina in 1989. In recent years, they have checked all three boxes, time, talent, and treasure, through financial support, providing staff to volunteer in Game Street, and designing and distributing bandanas to Festival attendees before the Friday night headliner opening
Romeyn Lauber
Romeyn Lauber served as a key leader and passionate supporter on the Artyopolis Committee for more than 16 years. Her dedication, service, and selfless contributions to making Creation Crossing and the rest of the children’s area fun and engaging are greatly appreciated.
Beth & Tom Arpke
Beth & Tom Arpke served as the chairpersons of the Information Booths for more than 25 years before retiring in 2024. They continue to help with this area, ensuring excellent customer service at the Festival continues for generations to come.
Lila and Robert* Berkley
Lila and Robert Berkley have supported the River Festival every year since its founding. Their belief in the importance of the event and the pride it has instilled in Salinan’s is something Lila continues to value. Their generosity has provided an excellent foundation of support every year.
FESTIVAL LEGACY FUND DONORS
Jim E. and Adrienne J. Allen
Mary L. Andersen
Brad & Jane Anderson
Evan & Brittany Anderson
Jim Anderson Family
Mark Anderson & Renee Duxler
Mike & Linda Anderson
Applequist Family Fund
Kimberly Apt Beckham
In Memory of Larry Apt
Tom & Beth Arpke
Jane Aylward & Ralph Ungles
In Memory of Evelyn Seim Ball
In Memory of Gary Ball
The Bank of Tescott
Ron & Sherri Barragree
Madeline & Sidney Barres
Mike & Mary Nell Beatty
Bennington State Bank
In Memory of Sharon Benson
Lori & Nicholas Berezovsky
Amy Berkley Hemmer
Lila A. Berkley
Ginny Bevan
Steven & Julie Blackwell
Gretchen Boyum & Pat Crepps
Cary M. Brinegar
Family of Tony Buccigrossi
Karen Buhler
Sheldon E. Burr & Joyce M. DeJulio Burr
Kenneth and Phyllis Butts
Christine & Jay Caldwell
Shellee R. & Steven J. Callahan
Eldon & Patty Carter
William & Ruth Cathcart-Rake
Marie & Gene Chapman
In Memory of Marie Chapman
Randy & Janice Clark
Dennis & Deb Coellner
Dale K. & Beverly J. Cole
Tanner Colvin
Louise & Jim Corman, Corman Farm & Ranch
Debora Cox
Ashley & Joseph Cretel
In Memory of Jean Cyr
Jody & Gilbert Crocker
Monica S. Davis
Howard Debauche
Collin & Kim Delker
David & Shawn Delker
Jeff & Sherry Denton
Debbie & John Divine
Susan Eberwein
In Memory of Fred Elliot
Fili Creative, LLC.
Betty Garrison
Tom & Jane Gates
Gabe Grant
In Memory of Jim Graves
David Greiser
Betty &Dean Groves
Ken & Susie Guest
In Honor of John Gunn
Sara Hake
Max & Katherine Hale
Janis Hamman
Crystal Hammerschmidt
David & Susan N. Hawksworth
In Memory of Ann Headrick
Jerome P. & Susan J. Hellmer
Tom & Maggie Hemmer
Linda & Greg Henderson
Heritage Real Estate Advisors
Teresa Hernandez
James E. & Connie Hocking
Carolyn Hofer & Mark Zimmerman
Hannah Holt
Gretchen Holthaus
Rebecca Holzmeister
Barbara Houdek
Peggy & Gene Hulstine
ISG Technology, Inc.
Cornell & Lorri R. Jackson
Braeden D. & Dana M. Johnson
Glenda & Scott Johnson
Seth Johnson
Sara P. & Peter S. Johnston
Gary & Lana Jordan
Todd G. & Melissa E. Just
Robert B. & Denice Justus
Camden Kahmeyer
Wally & Mary Kearns
Philip & Mary Kerstetter
Marsha K. Kessen
Jadyn Kitchen
Katherine A. Kitchen
Mark & Ann Knackendoffel
Ken & Rachel Krier
In Memory of Caroline Lanterman
Bill & Cyndi Lanterman
Laney Lee
Scott Lee
K. Willow Leenders
Patricia M. Lertora
Van E. & Mary K. Lett
Katherine J. Lindsay
Robert & Rachel Loersch
Janelle Magnuson
Becky & Tim Maguffee
Leslie Mangrum
Jason Marrs
Aaron & Jessica Martin
Daniel J. & Jo A. Martin
Gayle Martin & Rod Franz
Tom & Teresa Martin
In Memory of Peggy Medina
Mary & Thomas Mertz
In Memory of Dawn L. Mesecher Smith
Rev. Diane Miller
Eric Montoy & Laura Easterday
Ellen Morgan
In Memory of Ellen Morgan
Amanda & Brian Morris
Ryker Morris
Morrison Foundation
Richard & Sallie Morrison
Patricia & Bob Murray
Mike & Dianne Neustrom
In Memory of Rufus Nye
Dave & Marinda Ochs
Janice Ostrom
Ray & Sharon Pack
Diane Pancake
Anna Pauscher Morawitz & Darren Morawitz
Wilma Pearse
R. Abner & Kathryne D. Perney
Dave & DuAnn Peterson
Kevin R. & Lynn Peterson
Pete & Rita Peterson
William T. & Kathleen C. Pierson
Tim & Meg Pivonka
Perceptor Nu
Kay A. Quinn
Wesley & Lori Quon
Richard M. & Joyce Ratcliff
Carl & Darcee Redden
Toni Renfro
Restore Properties
In Honor of Jayce Rhea Family
Martha Rhea
Brent & Laura Rhodenbaugh
Emily Riley
Mark J. Ritter
Gayle K. Rose
Karl F. & Jody Ryan
Twila Schneiders
Betsy A. Scholten
Donald R. & Kathleen Schwegmann
Mark & Rebecca Seeman
In Memory of Evelyn Seim
Barbara & Chad Shirley
Josh Shorter
Cheryl Siemers
E. Louise Simcox
Boyd E. & Heather M. Smith
Debbie & Keith Smith
Diana & Charles Smith
Harry G. & Pam A. Smith
Jane Smith – Just Plain Jane
In Honor of Joy Smith
Larry & Joy Smith
Todd & JaLue Smith
Kathryn Snell
Jeri Sparks Estate
In Memory of Jeri Sparks
Daniel R. & Jenny L. Stack
Melanie & John Stavropoulos
In Memory of Kenneth Smith
Elizabeth, Harry, & McDowell Steel
Olivia Stottmann
Betty Summers
Kier & Ashley Swisher
Melanie Terrill & Mike Soetaert
Stephen C. & Penny A. Thompson
Elizabeth A. Timmel
Katie Utter
Sandy Vinson
Velocity – Salina Vortex Company
Debbie Wagner
Ben & Betsy Wearing
Jane & Charley Weathers
In Memory of Judy Weber
Judy Weber
Susan M. Weis
Brenda White
Monte & Penni White
Paul & Carol White
Leah & Jacob Wilson
Janet Winter
Davis & Natalie Wood
Chuck Young
Sharon & Rolland Zier
Ann Zimmerman & Dexter Eggers
Zimmerman Family Foundation