Kansas State University

OLATHE -- There are few places where lava, tomato plants, Cajun food and face painting come together for a fun-filled day, but Kansas State University Olathe's open house is precisely that place. The event gives the public and future students a chance to experience the campus firsthand.

The open house will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, on the Olathe campus, 22201 W. Innovation Drive. It will offer hands-on demonstrations, entertainment, food, exhibits, tours and more.

A special focus will be the university's 150th celebration. Kansas State University opened in 1863 as the nation's first operational land-grant university.

For the inaugural event in Olathe, an assortment of educational demonstrations and activities -- all kid friendly -- will be offered. Johnson County K-State Research and Extension and the K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Center-Olathe are partnering with K-State Olathe to offer fun activities and interactive displays.

The Olathe campus' graduate-level programs as well as the university's undergraduate and distance programs will have representatives available. Sensory tests, knife skills, an interactive water lab, a germ light, creation station for kids with coloring, face painting and tattoos, and a prize wheel are a sampling of the day's events.

Open house is free to attend, and no registration is required. Lunch will be provided by Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last.

Olathe campus CEO Dan Richardson said, "The lineup of activities taking place in our first year of participation in the All-University Open House is nothing short of amazing. We're excited to display our facility, programs and people to the community that has welcomed and supported us with open arms."

For more information about the K-State Olathe open house visit http://www.olathe.k-state.edu/news/open-house.html or contact Kristi Northcutt at 913-307-7341 or knorthcutt@k-state.edu.