The mural stretches across six wooden fence panels surrounding an HVAC enclosure attached to the large barn near the fairgrounds’ gazebo and Native Garden. The project was completed by Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Donna and Ernie May, Katie Denholm and Cheryl Denholm, with support from fellow Master Gardeners Pam Jeannin, Martha Schiltz and many others, along with approval from the Leavenworth County Fair Board.

A new mural at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds commemorates 100 years of the locak fair and pays tribute to native flowers, thanks to members of the Leavenworth County Master Gardenders. The mural complements a master gardeners project nearby at the gazebo.[

The idea began after volunteers suggested improving the plain cedar fence surrounding the equipment. After the fence was painted white, the group proposed transforming it into a mural featuring native Kansas flowers. The Fair Board approved the project, and the artists spent more than 545 combined volunteer hours preparing the fence, projecting designs after dark and hand-painting the finished artwork.

The mural showcases native Kansas flowers and complements the nearby Native Garden, another project maintained by Leavenworth County Master Gardeners through the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Program.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson was invited to tour the newly completed mural and Native Garden before the opening of the Leavenworth County Fair.

“This project is a great example of what happens when talented volunteers invest their time and creativity into their community,” Thompson said. “The mural and Native Garden are wonderful additions to an already awesome fair – hundreds of volunteer hours really paid off in a beautiful mural.”

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Donna May said the project was driven by a desire to create something that would complement the Native Garden and leave visitors with a lasting impression.

“We saw an opportunity to turn an ordinary fence into something that celebrates the beauty of Kansas native flowers,” May said. “It took hundreds of volunteer hours and the talents of many people, but we hope everyone who visits the fairgrounds enjoys it for years to come.”