TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas is marking 2012 in a big way. This year, the state, as well as the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, will celebrate the opening of the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, the brand-new Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, and the arrival of the Star Wars national traveling exhibit in Wichita... and that's just the beginning!

The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute kicks off 2012 with two new collections. In the 1890s, Elizabeth LeBlond shot extraordinary photographs of glacial landscapes and is credited with producing the very first sports films; including hockey, bicycling and tobogganing. The Safari Museum® received an unprecedented 2,000 original photographs from her pioneering work and will begin exhibiting selections of the collection at the 10th Annual Safari Film Festival in April.

Additionally, the museum has been gifted with 10 traditional African Mende Helmet Masks, bringing its Mende collection to 35. Mende helmet masks are worn by women of the tribe during special occasions such as initiations, funerals and installments of chiefs. These masks are significant as they represent the last female masks still traditionally danced in Africa. The museum is redesigning its permanent African Gallery to allow visitors to enjoy these vibrant art pieces during every visit. Visitors can plan their own safari at www.SafariMuseum.com.

There isn't a better time than 2012 to "Get the Heck INTO Dodge!" In 2012, Dodge City will be celebrating its 140th birthday with festivals and events throughout the year, showcasing both its old west history and the new projects underway.

The Western State Bank Expo Center is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for May 2012. The center's inaugural event will be the 2012 3i Show. A salute to Industry, Implements and Irrigation, the 3i Show is one of the largest agriculture shows in the country. Other events and performers scheduled to make a 2012 appearance in Dodge City include: Bill Cosby, the Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Trucks, Professional Bull Riding, Jerrod Neiman, Wrangler PRCA Rodeo, NTA Wrestling, and many more!

No visit to Dodge City would be complete without a trip through one of the top True Western Museums in the country, the Boot Hill Museum. Add a show at the Historic Santa Fe Depot Theater, a historic trolley tour, a walking tour of the downtown historic district, and top it off with the best steak you've ever eaten! For more information, check out www.visitdodgecity.org.

Great things are happening in Great Bend in 2012. The Great Bend Raptor Center is ready to take visitors on a new journey. Interactive displays preview the beauty & diversity of the Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway, and guided van tours of the Byway are available for visitors who want to experience it firsthand.

Shopping in downtown Great Bend will be even more delightful in 2012. Five-foot-tall artist-decorated birdhouses are blooming along the sidewalks, and a new songbird habitat on the courthouse square serves as a retreat for both people and feathered friends. The new Jack Kilby Memorial (honoring the microchip inventor) featuring the bronze work of a local artist in an inviting public plaza will be unveiled on April 28. April will also bring the Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo to town for three days of exhibits and entertainment. Additionally, the state-of-the-art Great Bend Sports Complex opens this summer featuring five ball fields, playgrounds, batting cages, concessions, and shaded areas. Plan to visit Great Bend at www.VisitGreatBend.com.

Manhattan has been preparing for 2012 with a new regional attraction, new conference center, expansions to retail shopping and more! With explosive downtown growth, visitors to the Little Apple® will be pleasantly surprised at Manhattan's blend of amenity and charm, including friendly people, stunning views and a unique and diverse business community that prides itself on cleanliness and friendly assistance.

The opening of Kansas' next major tourism attraction, the Flint Hills Discovery Center, in Manhattan, has been set for April 14, 2012. Through interactive exhibits, visitors will have an opportunity to explore the science and cultural history of the last stand of tallgrass prairie in North America - one of the world's most endangered eco-systems.

Also new for 2012 is the Manhattan Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn. The conference center has a 15,500 square-foot ballroom with an additional 10,000 square-feet of flexible pre-convene space. The Hilton Garden Inn offers 135 sleeping rooms, is connected to the Conference Center, and is located in downtown Manhattan, adjacent to the Flint Hills Discovery Center and Manhattan Town Center shopping mall. Learn more about Manhattan at www.visitmanhattanks.com.

Additional exciting events happening in Kansas this year include the recent opening of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City on Feb. 3. The Hollywood Casino feature mores than 2,000 slot machines, 40 live table games and five restaurants.

Exploration Place in Wichita is proud to host the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Traveling Exhibit from May 26 - Sept. 3. In this blockbuster exhibition, visitors will encounter the technologies depicted in the Star Wars films and learn about how the science behind them may someday lead to real-life versions.

For more information, visit www.TravelKS.com.



SOURCE Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism