Everything Kansas.

Discover. Connect. Support.

Rain and lightning cancel parts of Topeka’s Spirit of Kansas Festival, fireworks still draw crowds

Stormy weather disrupted Topeka’s annual Spirit of Kansas Festival on Friday, prompting organizers to cancel parts of the event after rain and lightning moved in. Organizers had delayed scheduled activities for several hours before making the cancellations.

Stormy lakeside festival scene with a crowd under umbrellas as fireworks light the night and some event areas appear closed.

The blues festival and the annual car show were among the parts that did not continue due to the weather. Even with those cancellations, thousands of people still gathered at Lake Shawnee for the festival’s signature fireworks display.

KSNT 27 News reports that the decision to cancel additional portions of the festival was tied to the lightning and rain conditions.