Special to The Hays Daily News

On Sept. 20, 2003, Ellis County was proclaimed the official "German Capital of Kansas." A ceremony that took place during the annual Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest included local and state politicians, as well as members of the various German organizations of Ellis County. Two national German organizations provided proclamations and certificates to endorse the title for Ellis County, as well as a letter of support from the director of the Kansas Travel and Tourism office.  

Since then the Ellis County Historical Society Museum and the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau believed the need to have a more comprehensive marketing piece to promote "Everything and Anything German" for Ellis County. Instead of continuing to use a variety of photocopied handouts, out-dated documents or a limited quantity of smaller brochures to try to help publicize the local German heritage, the museum decided to have an attractive 32-page German Capital of Kansas brochure printed. The Volga German Society, Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest Association, Sunflower Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the Bukovina Society Museum in Ellis assisted by providing information and photos for the brochure.      

Both the Ellis County Historical Society Museum and the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau wanted to increase the exposure for the valuable resources of German historical collections at the museums and attractions. These include the Volga German Haus, Bukovina Museum, Center for Ethnic Studies, historic churches and cemeteries with the German crafted iron cross gravesite markers. Hays also has several restaurants that serve Volga German food, and the museum has a store where German souvenirs can be purchased. Probably the most important aspect of the German heritage of Ellis County are the various Oktoberfests, polka dances and German celebrations that help promote, preserve and pass on the local German heritage. In an effort to promote and have one comprehensive "German Capital of Kansas" brochure that includes information about the events, attractions and places to eat bierocks or enjoy a good German buffet, the Ellis County Historical Society Museum is working with Encore Publishing/Gatehouse Media to have them produce and print a full-color brochure. Not only does the brochure feature German attractions and events, but Ellis County businesses will be able to help support the brochure by promoting their lodging properties, retail shops, restaurants and services. Plans are to reprint the brochure each year because the dates for the festivals and events change from year to year and additional new advertisers or restaurants can be included next year.  

This new brochure will be distributed locally through the Ellis County Historical Museum, brochure racks at the Hays Welcome Center and more than 25 other brochure racks in Hays. Travelers throughout Kansas also will be able to pick up the brochure at 30 or more visitor information centers in Kansas. Those looking to the Internet for travel information are able to view and print off the brochure on several Web sites, including the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.haysusa.net) and the Midwest Deutches Oktoberfest (www.midwestdeutschefest.com).