WESTPHALIA — A beloved small-town tradition is making a much-anticipated comeback. After nearly a decade of retirement, Westphalia Days returns July 5.
A dedicated group of community members and a new generation of leadership have revived the event with a fresh, family-friendly focus.
Katie Dieker, a Garnett native who now lives in Westphalia with her husband Drake Dieker, has been instrumental in resuscitating the festival. After graduating from Kansas State University, the couple settled in Westphalia in 2021, where Drake joined the family farming operation.
“When you buy a house in Westphalia, you get asked to be on the city council,” Dieker said with a laugh. Drake now serves on the council and quickly started fielding inquiries about reviving Westphalia Days.
With the support of Drake’s cousin, Janet Huss, the idea began to take root.
Dieker credits Huss for spearheading the effort by forming committees and hosting meetings.
The effort was popular.
Committee meetings typically have drawn between 10 and 15, all eager to pitch in and help plan.
Dieker said workload may have contributed to its ultimate demise 10 years ago.
“The event is a lot of work,” she said. “My guess would be that people maybe couldn’t keep up with the work of planning it. I wasn’t around then, so I don’t know 100%.”
THIS YEAR’S event targets all ages. “There will be something for the whole family,” said Dieker. “I think towards the end of Westphalia’s heyday, it was maybe not the most family-friendly. So, we’re focusing on making it for the entire family.”
Festivities will kick off with a 5K run/walk, followed by breakfast served by the Westphalia Knights of Columbus. A car show will take place in the morning, and no prior registration is required. At 10 a.m., the town will come alive with a parade under the theme “Grown in Smalltown U.S.A.”
“All floats and entries are welcome with no pre-registration required,” Dieker noted. “They just need to line up at 9:45 a.m. We’re hoping the folks from the car show stick around and join in the parade.”
Following the parade, the St. Teresa Altar Society will serve lunch in the church basement, complete with homemade pies.
The afternoon will feature a variety of family-friendly games at the city park, including turtle races, a cornhole tournament, and a volleyball tournament. A food truck will be available, and the Knights of Columbus will host bingo at 3 p.m.
The Lions Club will hold an ice cream social in the afternoon, with proceeds going toward new equipment for the city park. A watermelon feed is at 2 p.m.
The day will end on a high note with a street dance on Main Street featuring Kansas City-based DJ Ashton Martin, who DJs for the Chiefs and the Royals.
