Habitat for Humanity to host annual hoedown fundraiser at historic Flint Hills ranch

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills will host its annual Habitat Hoedown on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Lazy T Ranch - Adventures in the Flint Hills.

The family-friendly fundraising event will feature live music from The Haymakers, pork and beef from Flint Hills pastures, and country swing dance lessons. Attendees can also enjoy a cash bar featuring custom Habitat apple and pear ciders, s'mores, pumpkin decorating, and a raffle for local meat and farmer's market goods.

Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills has worked with community partners for more than twenty-five years to help families on their homeownership journey. The organization has built over 30 homes in Riley and Pottawatomie counties.

The event will be held at the historic Lazy T Ranch, located at 2103 Zeandale Road in Manhattan. Originally homesteaded in 1855, this historic family ranch now offers an outstanding Flint Hills location for special events, with hundreds of acres of native tallgrass prairie to explore with incredible views over the Kansas River Valley and the Manhattan area.

Executive Director Josh Brewer leads the organization, which serves as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. The Northern Flint Hills chapter focuses on eliminating poverty housing in both local and global communities through new construction, rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, home repair and affordable housing advocacy.

The organization is both an Aging in Place Affiliate and a Veterans' Affiliate, addressing the unique needs of veteran and older community members. In recognition of its global mission, the affiliate regularly tithes to Habitat for Humanity International to support decent, affordable housing worldwide, including support for Habitat for Humanity Uganda.

The Lazy T Ranch, run by the ranch family, has been hosting the popular Hoedown for several years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event grew in popularity and returned in recent years by popular demand after a two-year hiatus.

The ranch provides "country atmosphere with city accessibility," located just a few minutes from Manhattan and Interstate 70. The ranch features numerous event venues and offers many activities for all ages, including tours of the historic 1860s stone barn, interactions with Quarter Horses and beef cattle, and hayrick rides through the scenic Flint Hills.

According to the Facebook event page, 19 people have already responded as attending, with one person marked as going and 18 showing interest in the event.

Tickets and additional event information can be found on the organization's website at habitatflinthills.org or by contacting the organization at their Manhattan office at 514 Pillsbury Drive.

The organization also operates a ReStore location, which sells donated building materials, furniture and appliances to support construction projects. Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills announced a partnership with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to expand affordable housing solutions through combined mortgage programs.

For more information about volunteering or supporting Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills, visit habitatflinthills.org or call (785) 537-7545.