Hutchinson is trading in its name this week for one that’s a little more heroic: Smallville, Kansas. As part of the 12th annual Smallville Festival, the Salt City will embrace its alter ego and honor the fictional hometown of one of Kansas’s most legendary “residents” — Superman.
The festival, that starts this evening and continues through Saturday, celebrates the values that define both Smallville and Hutchinson — tradition, grit, community pride, and a little super-powered fun.
Super Kick-Off in Downtown Hutchinson
The celebration launches tonight at 6 p.m. with the Smallville Festival Kick-Off between DCI Park and George Pyle Park. The free event will feature inflatables, a kids costume contest at 7 p.m., and live performances of iconic movie scores by the Hutchinson Municipal Band. NaCl Comic Cons and Hutch Pride will also co-host a Micro Comic Con downtown.
The night concludes with the start of a DC Comics movie marathon. Attendees are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to George Pyle Park for a free outdoor screening of Batman Begins at 8:30 p.m.
A Day for Heroes – Both Real and Imagined
On Friday, festivities turn toward celebrating real-life heroes. From noon to 2 p.m., the Reno County Museum will host a free lunch for first responders.
Later in the day, from 1 to 6 p.m., the Kansas State Fairgrounds becomes a haven for fandom with the joint Hutch Pride and Hutch Comic Con, offering more than 200 vendors, artists, cosplayers, and more — all for a $10 admission fee, good for both Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Hutchinson Zoo becomes a haven for "Zooperheroes” from 6 to 9 p.m., with animal encounters, zookeeper talks, and a superhero-themed cookout.
The cinematic experience continues at 8:30 p.m. with a screening of The Dark Knight inside the Justice Planetarium at the Cosmosphere.
Super Saturday: Running, Racing, and Record-Breaking
The fun continues Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. with the Smallville 5K — a unique underground run through Strataca Salt Mine. Registration is $35.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., festivalgoers can compete in the Smallville Amazing Space Race at the Cosmosphere’s Hall of Space Museum — a fast-paced scavenger hunt with prizes for those who solve all the clues.
In the evening, action shifts back to the fairgrounds. At 6:30 p.m., a free Nerf-a-Palooza will pit teams of five in open-range battles hosted by Nattox and NaCl Comic Cons.
Also at 6:30 p.m., attendees are invited to break a record during the Most Clarks in One Place Photo Op, sponsored by Specs Eyewear. Whether dressed in full Daily Planet gear or just donning free Clark Kent-style glasses, participants will pose for a drone photo on the Midway.
The festival concludes with the final installment of the movie marathon: The Dark Knight Rises will be screened at 8:30 p.m. on the Midway. Concessions will be available, and rides on the historic Ye Ol’ Mill will run beforehand for $5.