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12/06/2007

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Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

EIGHT WONDERS OF KANSAS VOTING DEADLINE DEC. 31

Scott State Park, Cheyenne Bottoms among 24 finalists

PRATT -- Voters have until Dec. 31 to decide on the top eight tourist attractions in Kansas. The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced 24 finalists in June. More than 16,000 votes have been cast.

Two Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks recreation areas are among the 24 nominees -- Scott State Park and Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (co-nominated with Quivira National Wildlife Refuge).

“We’ve had packets of paper ballots sent from churches, nursing homes, and schools,” said Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation director. “We’ve also had votes from just about every state in the U.S. Some people send personal notes on why they love Kansas. It’s just a wonderful project to stir up Kansas pride.”

In addition to Scott State Park and Cheyenne Bottoms/Quivira, the 24 finalists include the following:

	Arikaree Breaks, Cheyenne County
	Ball of Twine, Cawker City
	Big Brutus, West Mineral
	Big Well, Greensburg
	Brookville Hotel, Abilene
	Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls
	Cimarron National Grassland, Morton County
	Constitution Hall State Historic Site, Lecompton
	John Steuart Curry Murals, State Capitol, Topeka
	Davis Memorial, Hiawatha
	Eisenhower Museum and Library, Abilene
	Fort Larned National Historic Site, Pawnee County
	Garden of Eden, Lucas
	Gypsum Hills Scenic Drive, Barber County
	Kansas Cosmosphere, Hutchinson
	Kansas Underground Museum, Hutchinson
	Keeper of the Plains, Wichita
	Monument Rocks/Castle Rock, Gove County
	Pawnee Indian Museum, Republic County
	St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria
	St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Benedict
	Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County

One month remains for the public to cast their votes to determine the top eight Wonders of Kansas. To vote, go online to www.8wonders.org or call 620-585-2374 for a paper ballot. The voting deadline is Dec. 31 at midnight.

“Reports from many of the attractions reveal that they are getting extra visitors who say they are on a journey to see every one of the finalists,” Penner said.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius will recognize all finalists in a private ceremony in the state capitol on Kansas Day, Jan. 29, 2008, before publicly announcing the top eight Wonders of Kansas in the rotunda.

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