Click the arrows on the left and right of the window above to see photos from the 38th SM Hanson Festival Jam.
By COLETTE STRASNER
Salina Post Contributor
Thursday, June 13 marked the 38th SM Hanson Festival Jam, which unfortunately had to end several hours ahead of schedule due to heavy rain in the area.
Although the park will reopen today at 10 a.m., due to the nature of the event and the schedules of the performers, SM Hanson Festival Jam itself will not be rescheduled.
READ MORE: Salina Arts and Humanities — Smoky Hill River Festival reminders
Being in its 38th year, SM Hanson Festival Jam as well as the 48th Smoky Hill River Festival, have an important place in the lives of many area residents and their families. Festival attendee Ami Allison spoke of her family’s relationship with the event.
“We buy festival shirts every year, all of the family pictures are in our festival shirts in the summertime," Allison said.
The Allisons have been using the event as a family reunion for around fifty years, returning time and time again to enjoy the music and to look back fondly on years past.
The SM Hanson Festival Jam certainly has a history of fond memories and great music, but the event is no stranger to severe weather putting a damper on things either.
Salina Arts and Humanities Assistant Director Anna Pauscher Morawitz told Salina Post that the last time this had happened was as recently as 2021. Despite SM Hanson Festival Jam’s abrupt ending last night, the rest of the Smoky Hill River Festival will continue as scheduled throughout the rest of this weekend.
Salina Post would like to thank the artists and event staff of the for all the work and passion put into this event.