LITTLE BALKANS FESTIVAL – LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Pittsburg, Kansas

Little Balkans Days is a community festival celebrating the history and ethnic variety of Southeast Kansas. It stems back to the days of the early 1930s when the economy and the citizens were depressed – and needed something to lift their spirits. Since coal mining was the state’s most valued resource, a coal festival was a logical choice. Pittsburg held its first King Coal Festival in October of 1934. The festivals ended in 1940 as everyone’s thoughts turned to the approaching war, but the festivals had served their purpose – uplifting spirits and beating the depression. During those early years, the King Coal Festival involved as many as 500 volunteers and drew crowds estimated at 40,000.

In the summer of 1984, several members of the Pittsburg community got together and discussed the need to revive the spirit that had been exhibited so many years before with the King Coal Festival. The Pittsburg Area Festival Association (PAFA) evolved out of that group – the non-profit organization that hosts Little Balkans Days. The Pittsburg Area Festival Association changed their name to Little Balkans Festival Association in 1998.

During the festival, the most asked question is usually, “What is a Balkan?!?” It seems that around the turn of the century, Southeast Kansas was known to be quite an outspoken, rowdy and rambunctious area. During the same period, the Balkan countries of Southeastern Europe were said to be much the same. Consequently, it wasn’t long before the label of “Balkans” was used when making reference to Southeast Kansas. The label of “Balkans” had been used frequently over the year, so it seemed a logical name for the festival to recognize that ethnic spirit, proud heritage and courageous strength displayed so many years before.

The festival is now held annually on Labor Day Weekend. For further information contact the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 231-1000 or (800) 879-1112.

This article provided by Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau.