Newton's favorite summer event, the two-day festival is packed with exciting entertainment for the entire family.

The festival boasts multiple stage concerts and individual music performances. If you have a competitive streak, you might organize and participate in the sand volleyball tournament or the water balloon challenge. Enjoy casually strolling through the festival grounds to watch artists create murals featuring the beauty of Sand Creek and the Newton area. Treat your taste buds with great food and beverages of all types or simply take a rest and watch a “heated” ice cream eating contest with free ice cream for all afterward. The little ones can take a ride on the Sand Creek Sentinel, the official barrel train of Summer Daze or participate in a water balloon fight themselves.

There will be several talent performances including a magician to dazzle you with his craft. The festival is also the only one in Kansas to host a hard red wheat home brewing competition where the winner has their beer brewed professionally at Salt City Brewery in Hutchinson, and you can sign up to judge. Walk through a Ford Mustang car show and see the Ponies of the New West. Finally bring the kids into the YMCA Time Out 4 Kids adventure area with fun, interactive, athletic and educational activities.