Arkalalah

Celebrating its 85th birthday, Arkalalah is an annual Fall festival in Arkansas City, KS that takes place the last full weekend in October. Ark for the town of Arkansas City (Ark City), and Alalah, the Native American word for ‘good time’.

It all began in 1928. The big depression was on the way and everyone was blue and discouraged. The old Petroleum club was above Peterson's Drug Store and most of the businessmen ate lunch there. After lunch they sat around talking or playing a game of cribbage.

One noon John Floyd, Clyde Boggs and "Pat" Sommerfield were sitting at the same table. They decided something new was needed for the town - maybe a fall festival of some kind to help the morale of the people. Halloween sounded like a good time. The idea caught on and they approached Dusty Rhoads, the live wire secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. A citizen's meeting was called, committees appointed and the first Arkalalah was off to a flying start.

Today, the Arkalalah festival makes the population of Ark City more than double for the week. It has become a week full of music, food, carnivals, and serves as the homecoming for the entire county.

This application serves as a functional platform for the past, present, and future of Arkalalah to be openly and effectively communicated to the masses. As the festival has grown, the number of events have steadily increased to the point where daily calendars, information, and future plans need to be readily available anywhere, anytime, to anyone.