Community and Cultural Activities

Seward County Community College

    In 1994, more than 1,900 students enrolled in associate degree programs, transfer programs, and certificate programs at Seward County Community College (SCCC). The college also offers upper division and graduate level courses in conjunction with Fort Hays State University and Kansas Newman College. The Epworth Allied Health Education Center offers a number of health profession programs.

    The main campus facilities include a library, theater, gym, and swimming pool, and are frequently used as community resources.

    SCCC is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education, North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Kansas State Board of Nursing, National League for Nursing, and National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Public Library

    The Liberal Memorial Library contains more than 66,000 volumes, including books, tapes, newspapers, periodicals, and other items. Its special collections include genealogy, Kansas history, and Kansas documents. The library is a member of the Southwest Kansas Library System.

The Arts

    The Liberal Community Concert Association, Liberal Art Council, and Baker Arts Foundation offer numerous cultural events year-round.

    The goals of the Baker Arts Center are to accommodate all aspects of the Arts. The main gallery displays works of visual art and presents recitals and small musical performances. The center has an extensive permanent collection and showcases national traveling exhibits, visiting artists, and local artists.

Museums and Attractions

    The Seward County Coronado Museum is housed in a landmark structure originally built in 1918. The museum features artifacts from Vasquez de Coronado’s 1541 visit to this area, items from early ranch and frontier life, and business and home furnishings from throughout Liberal's history.

    Liberal's Dorothy's House was built in 1907-1909. It has been restored to closely resemble the farmhouse in the movie version of L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz. The house includes a reproduction of Dorothy’s room, including ruby slippers and Toto’s bed. The living room and kitchen areas are furnished in period antiques. Also on display is an original model house used during the filming of the 1939 movie.

    The Mid America Air Museum opened in 1988 and is now the 5th largest museum of its kind in the U.S. The museum has more than 80 aircraft on display. It also has frequent traveling exhibits.

Celebrations

    Pancake Day has been an annual celebration for over 40 years. The International Pancake Race is always run on Shrove Tuesday. During the race, the women of Liberal compete against each other and against the women in our sister city, Olney England. Racers must wear traditional housewife garb and carry a skillet and pancake as they run.

    The Mid America Air Museum Airshow brings a number of military and civilian aviation acts to town. These acts include parachute jump teams, barnstorming biplanes, and acrobatic jets. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds frequently appear.

    Oztober-fest takes place every October. Each year, Munchkins who appeared in the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie visit Liberal to participate in the parade, musical production, look-alike contests, and arts and crafts show. The festival is a tribute to our belief that "There's no place like home."

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