Post #13 Video

This blog is all about cheap entertainment for college aged individuals in Topeka, Kansas. One of the best investments an individual can use their money on is to join a lifetime organization. For me, this was my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. Although I joined this organization while I was in college, Sigma Phi Epsilon has provided me with opportunities for life.

 
Sigma Phi Epsilon is not necessarily a cheap form of entertainment, rather the fraternity is a lifelong commitment to brotherhood. Sigma Phi Epsilon pushes its members to be active on campus, in the community, and within the chapter. They provide opportunities for leadership development, individual growth, and professional networking. 

Although members must pay the chapter during their time as undergraduate members, the experience is priceless. There will be irreplaceable memories with lifelong friends. The monetary price members pay initially may seem steep, but for what members receive in return the money is well spent.

Post #12 Fiesta Mexicana

Every July, the city of Topeka hosts the Fiesta Mexicana. Fiesta Mexicana is a celebration of the Mexican culture that features five night of authentic food, music, dancing, and competitions. The Fiesta is a Topeka tradition that has been continued for over 80 years.

One of the competitions for the Fiesta is the quest to become Fiesta Royalty. Each 

 year, one boy and one girl that are still in high school are crowned king and queen of the Fiesta.

Running for Royalty is an honor, and it requires a lot of work. Those running begin in late April and their quest ends in July during the celebration. The candidates raise money throughout that time that will eventually be pooled together and donated to the Parish.

The 2016 Fiesta saw Oscar Gomez crowned king. Oscar, a Topeka High graduate and current Washburn Student, spoke with me about his royalty experience.

Post #11 Topeka RoadRunners

Although Topeka does not have a large professional sports team, Topeka does have the RoadRunners hockey team. The Topeka RoadRunners are a hockey team that are members of the North American Hockey League, also referred to as the NAHL. Although the team is not a member of the National Hockey League, they are still a professional team. The RoadRunners play their games in the Kansas Expo Center.

The RoadRunner's season starts in September and extends all the way until April. Roughly half of their games will be played in Topeka. With 60 games per season, members of the Topeka community will have nearly 30 opportunities to cheer on their hometown team.

The 2016-2017 season has not been kind to the RoadRunners, they are currently 18-34 and sit in last place in the South Division.

Tickets start at $12.75 for regular seating. However, for only $19.75 fans are able to sit next to the ice by either the team benches or the penalty box.

Post #10 Old Prairie Town

Have you ever wanted to experience what life would be the 1800's? Topeka can provide you with this experience. No, Topeka is not that out of date, but Topeka does have a historical area in its midst. Topeka has an establishment called Old Prairie Town, which replicates life from the 1800’s. Old Prairie Town is hidden among a residential neighborhood in central Topeka. Northwest Fillmore Street is where guests will be able to find Old Prairie Town

Old Prairie Town features replica buildings from the 1800's. These buildings include a Log Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, School house, and Victorian Mansion. The area also includes 2.5 acres of Botanical Garden with unique features, including a 240-foot cascading rock rivulet.

Even if you're not someone who is interested in history, this is a great way to spend an afternoon. There are plenty of options for entertainment at Old Prairie Town. The staff will have different activities for guests to do, including a chance to churn butter.

Old Prairie Town also does re-enactments of events from the 1800's. These events range from a dinner to the firing of a replica cannon!

The total cost for an adult to explore Old Prairie Town is $5.

Post #9 Escape Rooms

A fun way to spend some time with friends in Topeka is at a business that is less than 10 years old. Keynundrum, which opened in 2008, is an escape room adventure. If you are not familiar with escape rooms, they are interactive rooms that you must escape. Pretty simple, right?

This photo was taken from
the Keynundrum website

Wrong. Each room features a different set of hidden objects that serve as clues, these clues help participants to solve puzzles that ultimately will allow the group to escape. The goal is to escape the room as quickly as possible, however there is a maximum time of 60 minutes. If your group gets stuck you can ask for a hint, but they will add five minutes to your time for each hint that you receive.

Keynundrum does allow for reservations to be made. This is the best way to ensure that you and your friends can get a chance escape the room of your choosing. Keynundrum has five different escape rooms to try to breakout from. This provides the chance to go back multiple times if you cannot solve a certain room, or would like to take a crack at a different room.

The cost is only $20 per person if the group is larger than three people. 

Post #8 Get Involved

One of the best ways to spend time in Topeka is by volunteering or getting involved with the Topeka community. An easy way for college students to get involved is through Big Brothers Big Sisters. This is a program that matches the older volunteer with a younger participant who need a positive role model. A lot of the kids who are looking for a “Big” come from single parent households. The unstableness of their home life causes them to need a positive mentor. The ages of the kids varying from elementary school all the way up to high school. Some of the kids in the program have been on a wait list for a “Big” for over a year.

The process of becoming a “Big” is extensive, but not difficult. There is an application that must be filled out. After that there will be a series of interviews and a background check. If the potential big meets all the requirements, then they will receive a match.

There are two types of matches, community and site. The community based matches allow for the big to take the little out into the community to do activities. The duo is supposed to hangout at least one hour each week. This is not an overwhelming commitment by any means, however it is still meaningful for the “Little.” A site based match is one that centers around what the “Little” at school. The “Big” will go eat lunch, go to recess, and even help in the class room. There are opportunities for outside activities, but are not required for site based matches.

To become a “Big” you can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shawnee county at (785) 234-5524 or visit their office in Topeka at 2300 SW 29^th St. Suite 200.

Post #7 Local Diners

Dining local is a great way to get to know a community. Supporting Mom and Pop shops not only benefits the family that owns the diner, but you can also find some delicious food. While eating at large food chains one can expect generic recipes of food, however at local diners the food is hand made with a secret recipe. Local diners are decorated with objects that reflect the owners and their personalities, giving the diner a more welcoming feel.

I went ate breakfast at a café in south Topeka called Banjo’s Café. I have been to the café a few times, always for breakfast. Each time that I leave I am ready to go into a food educed coma. Their potions are huge and their food is delicious. I think that the full order of biscuits and gravy is physically impossible to eat in one sitting!

The diner itself has colorful walls and uses wooden tables and chairs for the guests seating. The large windows in the front of the diner allows the natural light to pour in, illuminating the café with a friendly glow.

The meals are reasonably priced, however with the portion sizes, the prices are extremely favorable. My average bill is around $10!