HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutch Rec, in collaboration with the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Strataca, Cosmosphere, Hutchinson Zoo, NaCl Comic Cons LLC, and Downtown Hutchinson, announce the 12th annual Smallville Festival taking place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: June 19-21, 2025.
Each year, Hutchinson embraces its heroic alter ego by transforming into Smallville, the iconic hometown of Clark Kent, better known as Superman. Residents and visitors are invited to attend this action-packed, three-day celebration. Events will take place across the city, offering something for everyone celebrating what makes small-town living super. Smallville Festival focuses on values including tradition, hard work, grit, determination, and pride in where we live.
Featured events at this year’s Smallville Festival include:
Thursday, June 19
- Third Thursday – 6-8 p.m.: Celebrate Smallville during Third Thursday, featuring several family-friendly and all-ages events and activities throughout Downtown Hutchinson from 6-8 p.m.
- Smallville Kids Costume Contest – 6-8 p.m.: A family favorite returns during Third Thursday; walk-up registration is free for this event from 6-7 p.m., with the contest starting at 7 p.m. (Location: DCI Park, 2nd & Main)
- Hutchinson Municipal Band & Flow Foundry – 7:30 p.m.: Enjoy this super performance by our very own Municipal Band playing movie scores while being amazed by an aerialist Superman, thanks to Flow Foundry. (Location: George Pyle Park, Ave B & Walnut)
- DC Movie Marathon: Batman Begins – 8:30-10:30 p.m.: Kick off the weekend DC Movie Marathon with a movie under the stars at George Pyle Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in at dusk, when the movie starts. (Location: George Pyle Park, Ave B & Walnut)
Friday, June 20
- Hometown Heroes Luncheon – 12 p.m.: Join us in celebrating our everyday heroes with this special thank-you lunch in front of the Reno County Museum. A short thank-you program with youth from our community starts at noon, with lunch served between 12-2 p.m. (Location: Reno County Museum, 100 S Walnut)
- NaCl + Hutch Comic Con & Kansas Pride – 1-6 p.m.: More than 200 vendors, artists, cosplayers, events, and will be featured in two buildings! Only $10 for two days with ages 5 and under free. Additional details and ticket prices: https://naclcomiccons.com/ (Location: Kansas State Fairgrounds)
- Magic: The Gathering Tournament – 6 p.m: Check out this epic Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy Sealed Draft Tournament. This tournament takes place during the Hutch Con, with day-of registration taking place between 5-6p. (Location: Kansas State Fairgrounds)
- Zooperheroes at Hutchinson Zoo – 6-9 p.m.: Experience animal encounters, keeper talks, superhero crafts, train rides, scavenger hunts, and much more at the Hutchinson Zoo’s family night, which also features a Zooperhero Cookout. More details and ticket information: http://hutchinsonzoo.org/208/Family-Zoo-Nights-2025. (Location: Hutchinson Zoo)
- DC Movie Marathon: The Dark Night – 8:30 p.m.: Continue the weekend’s DC Movie Marathon with a unique and free showing of The Dark Knight inside the Cosmosphere’s Justice Planetarium. While this showing is free, reserve your tickets in advance by visiting online: https://cosmo.org/events/the-dark-knight-in-the-justice-planetarium/ (Location: Cosmosphere, 1100 N Plum)
Saturday, June 21
- Smallville Underground 5K at Strataca – 8 a.m.: Race 650 feet below the surface while running past the real Superman suit! (take a super selfie!) Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/KS/Hutchinson/MineRun5K. (Location: Strataca, 3650 E Ave G)
- Smallville’s Amazing Space Race – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Embark on a FREE Hall of Space scavenger hunt inside the Cosmosphere. Complete the mission and win a super prize! (Location: Cosmosphere)
- NaCl + Hutch Comic Con & Kansas Pride – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: More than 200 vendors, artists, cosplayers, events, and will be featured in two buildings! Only $10 for two days with ages 5 and under free. Additional details and ticket prices: https://naclcomiccons.com/ (Location: Kansas State Fairgrounds)
- Most Clark Kents in One Place Photo Op – 6:15 p.m.: Suit up in your best Clark Kent look and join this iconic festival photo op. Glasses and ties encouraged! Photo opp will take place on the Midway of the Kansas State Fairgrounds. (Location: Midway of the Kansas State Fairgrounds)
- Nerf-a-Palooza – 6:30 p.m.: Hosted by Nattox and NaClComic Cons – safety gear and supplies included in this 5v5 open range nerf battle! Bring a friend or a crew – or they’ll find a team for you to join. (Location: Kansas State Fairgrounds
- DC Movie Marathon – The Dark Knight Rises – 8:30 p.m.: Wrap up our Smallville Festival with the final installment of our weekend movie marathon and an outdoor showing of The Dark Knight Rises. The show begins at dusk on the Midway of the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Additional details and registration information is available on the Smallville Festival web page: https://www.hutchrec.com/smallvillefestival/. Follow the Smallville Festival on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
About Hutch Rec: Hutch Rec provides our community with lifelong wellness, cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities that promote healthy minds and bodies through innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and protected open spaces. Our vision is for residents to actively enjoy a healthy life as they strength our community spirit.
About Smallville Festival: Smallville Festival kicks off on the Third Thursday in June when Hutchinson, Kan. Officially changes its name to Smallville, Kan.; home of Clark Kent. Smallville Festival becomes a way for our community to celebrate what makes small-town living super. This celebration focuses on small-town values including traditions, hard work, grit, determination, and pride in where we live.
