• Baked bread has a special meaning for Kansas natives who rely on the wheat industry for their livelihood.Bread rolls image by Tasha from Fotolia.com
  
  If you live in New York City or Miami Beach, you may never think about the wheat industry. Head to Kansas, however, and the subject of wheat is ingrained in the tradition and culture of the area. For more than 100 years, Kansas natives have celebrated the state's wheat production through a series of baking festivals. Lucky attendees of these festivals get a chance to eat a variety of professional and amateur baked goods. In addition, the festivals offer hometown parades, baking contests and plenty of fun and games for families.
  
  

Wellington Wheat Festival

• Visit Wellington each July for its annual Wheat Festival. Wellington, known as the wheat capital of the world, has celebrated this festival for more than 110 years. The festival lasts for five days, with family events like baking contests, car shows, games, crafts, bed races, the Sheriff's K-9 Poker Tournament, a Friday night street dance, an ice cream social, softball tournaments and sand volleyball. The height of the event is Wellington's hometown parade. The festival is held in Wellington's downtown area.
  
  Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce
  
  207 S. Washington
  
  Wellington, KS 67152
  
  620-326-7466
  
  wellingtonks.org
  
  

National Festival of Breads

• Create an original and tasty bread recipe and win the National Festival of Breads sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission. In 2009, Dianna Wara of Illinois won the first National Festival of Breads held in Wichita. Wara beat more than 500 other bakers from all over the United States. The Illinois baker won $2,000 and an all-expenses-paid visit to the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vermont. More than 200 baking enthusiasts attended free baking sessions at the festival. Visitors donated canned foods to the Kansas Food Bank instead of paying admission. Nearly 200 lbs. of baked goods and canned foods were, in turn, donated to the hungry. Dates for the next National Bread Festival have not been released.
  
  Kansas Wheat Commission
  
  217 Southwind Place
  
  Manhattan, KS 66503
  
  785-539-0255
  
  866-75WHEAT
  
  kswheat.com
  
  

National Bake and Take Day

• Participate in a true Kansas tradition by attending the annual National Bake and Take Day sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. The tradition of "bake and take" started with Kansas pioneers and became an official Kansas festival in 1970 in Sumner County, one of the state's highest wheat producers. Today, the festival has spread to other locations and states. Bakers bring wheat products, like cookies, cakes and breads, to share with others attending the festival. Prizes are given for the best baked good in either a professional or amateur category. Professional bakers may also donate baked goods to local nursing homes. Contest winners receive convection ovens, hand mixers and toasters donated by Kansas-based baking companies.
  
  Kansas Association of Wheat Growers
  
  217 Southwind Pl.
  
  Manhattan, KS 66503
  
  785-539-0255
  
  kansaswheat.org