Updated, June 20 at 12:30 p.m.: In an announcement made today, it was confirmed that Country Stampede will take place at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka for the next three years.
The announcement comes in the middle of multi-year contracts with the state and Tuttle Creek State Park.
“The city of Topeka wants to say ‘thank you’ from the bottom of our heart for choosing our community to make it your permanent home,” Topeka mayor Michelle De La Isla said during the announcement.
The event will also change names to Heartland Stampede.
“From now on, rather than being the Country Stampede, the event is going to be the Heartland Stampede, right here in the heartland, in the center of the nation,” De La Isla said.
The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau released a statement regarding the decision.
“The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is obviously very disappointed to hear that Manhattan’s 24-year relationship with Country Stampede is ending,” the statement reads. “We are pleased to have been a part of Country Stampede’s success and growth.”
Original story: Kicker Country Stampede has found a new home at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, despite promises to the contrary.
City commissioners in Topeka have recently expressed hopes for the annual country music festival, which has been held at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan for more than two decades, to make a permanent move.
Shawnee County commissioner Kevin Cook is quoted by KSNT News as having said: “This is a really great opportunity for Shawnee County, and we hope to see this maybe become an annual thing from this point forward.”
After these comments were made, the Collegian called Country Stampede’s local Manhattan office on June 14 to inquire about the possibility of such a change.
“This is not a permanent move,” a spokesperson said over the phone.
The move for this year’s festival was announced May 31 amid safety concerns and flood risks at Tuttle Creek Lake.
Heartland Motorsports Park has an announcement planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, and the Topeka Capital-Journal reports that it will be an announcement of a permanent move to Topeka.
The same spokesperson from the Collegian’s June 14 phone call said there will be a press release coming out tomorrow with more information.
The Collegian will update this story as more information becomes available.
