Celebrating An All-American Rural Girl

How would you like to travel to a celebration of a spunky and independent American rural girl? 

American rural girl Amelia Earhart's hometown of Atchison, Kansas hosts an exciting birthday celebration in her honor every July. This weekend in July is known as "Amelia Weekend" around the northeast corner of the state of Kansas.

Therefore, the Amelia celebration is huge endeavor for the town to pursue. But, it's easy for them. Because we all know it's not every day your town is known for the birthplace of someone as famous as Amelia Earhart.

So, you may not know who Amelia Earhart was. Or, you may have learned about her from lessons in school. I did learn about her in school and I idolized her individuality, independence and the fact that she refused to wear skirts. She was a small town girl at heart. She actually sounded much like me.

The Amelia Earhart Festival

As a child, I loved reading this book about her: "Amelia Earhart: Kansas Girl". My imagination took me to her girlhood home in Atchison, Kansas along the mighty Missouri River banks.

So, fast forward 10 years later. I'm moving to Atchison to my new farmstead with my new husband! How exciting is it that I get to live within the same county as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. The Otis house still stands in its original spot high on a bluff overlooking the great Missouri River.

Atchison is proud to be Amelia Earhart's hometown. You can read all the news columns and bulletins from her flight featured HERE on the Amelia Earhart Museum web site. You can also read more about her adventurous life HERE.

Furthermore, there's a festival every third weekend of July to celebrate her birth, her life, and her disappearance. People come from all over the country for the Amelia Earhart Festival. HERE are some other Amelia attractions around Atchison.

The Ultimate Birthday Party

The Amelia Earhart festival is the ultimate birthday party. You will find scheduled fun kids activities, airplane rides, airplane tricks in the sky, ice cream socials, a fun run, and fireworks choreographed to music. The firework show is an amazing sight! Thousands of people gather along the banks of the Missouri River to view the sparks over the beautiful new Amelia Earhart bridge.

Did I mention the fireworks are choreographed to classics such as Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and "1812 Overture"? It is certainly a sight.

Also, the Fun Run featuring the hills of Atchison is a popular event that brings thousands to the town. The 8K and 2K races are challenging for any level of runner. It's really almost like hiking the steep mountain country, but unlike any other.

Because this festival is unlike any other. But, that is what makes it special.

Organizing a successful festival takes many hands, especially in a rural community. I love seeing a small community come together in celebrating an all-American rural girl. I'm sure that is why Amelia loved Atchison and claimed it as her hometown.

Why Does Atchison Love Amelia?

Well, here are 5 reasons this rural community loves celebrating an all-American rural girl:

1. She was unique and moved to the beat of her own drum.

She lived in many different places in her life and she formed her own idea of who she was and what she wanted. I love reading about her life and her adventures. If she had it in her mind to do something, she did it.

In her early childhood, she was a tomboy. She refused to wear dresses and she loved horses, sports, and kept her hair short. In that time, those qualities would have made her a very unique child.

You go, girl.

2. Amelia Earhart cared about people.

If she saw a problem, she wanted to help.  So, during World War 1, Amelia became certified with the American Red Cross and helped to treat wounded soldiers.

Also, she was a social worker in Boston before the launch of her first flight.

3. She followed her heart.

Her heart was lifted up to the sky after that first plane ride when she decided she wanted to learn to fly. Back then, it was a different time for women. But that didn't stop her.

Amelia followed her heart, found financing to learn her skill, learned to fly, bought herself a plane, and she flew. It was then that she became successful.

4. She knocked down barriers that stood in her way.

Many barriers stood in Amelia's way. Weather, illness, and mechanical trouble were just a few barriers.

Of course, There were a few hecklers who told her she couldn't and shouldn't be flying, but I'm sure she paid them no mind. She knew she had a place in aviation and no one could tell her otherwise.

5. Her mind was extraordinary

Finally, she always had an imagination like no other. I have enjoyed reading my favorite books about her and her sister's early years where they played.

And using an imagination is what brings on unique and creative ideas that makes changes in people's lives..

So, I always wanted to meet Amelia Earhart. She was the ultimate American Rural Girl. But I suppose simply visiting and eventually moving to her beloved hometown is as close as I'm going to get.  I will encourage my little rural girls to follow her dreams and to be a powerful inspiration to others.

Who Do You Wish You Could Meet?

~Much Love~

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