IdeaTek Enriches Kansas State Fair Experience: Free Student Tickets, plus Wi-Fi Access for All
Sept 1, 2023
If there’s one thing that’s important to IdeaTek, it’s access for all Kansans. That commitment extends to the Kansas State Fair, where IdeaTek is sponsoring free gate admission for 10,000 Reno County students and will provide a complimentary internet cafe on-site during the 10-day event.
“We are honored to continue our partnership with the Kansas State Fair and contribute to the annual celebration in diverse ways,” said Megan Shearer, IdeaTek’s vice president of talent, culture, and customer acquisition. “As part of our commitment, IdeaTek created a free hub where fairgoers can connect to the internet, recharge their devices, and cool off.
“Furthermore, we are excited to extend our support by providing 10,000 complimentary tickets to all students in Reno County,” Shearer added. “The Kansas State Fair is the biggest celebration of our state, and it offers unique learning opportunities. We’re happy to support local students by ensuring they have the opportunity to benefit from all that this event has to offer.”
To build excitement for the Fair, IdeaTek staff, along with a special guest – the Fair’s mascot, Ike, the American bison – made a few stops at local schools in late August to deliver tickets.
“The Kansas State Fair’s Board of Directors and staff are so excited to have such a great Fair and Community Partner in IdeaTek,” said Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz. “With their assistance, we are able to bring Reno County school-age kids to the Fair at no charge, which allows them the opportunity to “Celebrate All Things Kansas”! We appreciate their continued support!”
The official Kansas State Fair started in 1913 and is a celebration of all things Kansas. This year’s state fair is Sept. 8-17.
IdeaTek Internet Cafe
This is the second year IdeaTek will have a physical presence at the fair with their new internet cafe. The cafe, which features shade, seating, prizes, charging stations, and free public Wi-Fi, will be located across from the Domestic Arts Building and is available to all fairgoers.
Based in Buhler, IdeaTek is dedicated to the mission of connecting underserved communities with affordable high-speed fiber internet.
“Whether you need to check in with work or want to stay in touch with friends and family — IdeaTek can help keep you connected,” Shearer said. “We know the cellular system can often get overloaded on crowded days, and a public Wi-Fi location hasn’t been offered at the fair in the past. This is one way we can help give back to the Fair and its patrons.”
Fairgoers wanting to use this service should look for “IdeaTek” in their Wi-Fi settings.
IdeaTek Reno County Youth Ticket Sponsorship
IdeaTek has provided gate admission tickets to Reno County students for three consecutive years. On Friday, Sept. 1, IdeaTek and Fair officials — along with Fair’s mascot, Ike the American Bison — delivered gate admission tickets to the students in every classroom at Hutchinson STEM Magnet School at Allen. Ike handed out tickets and high-fives.
Fair officials will deliver tickets to other Reno County schools the week before the Fair. Homeschool children are also eligible for tickets. Please email Melissa Blake, the Fair’s education coordinator, at melissa.blake@ks.gov.
About IdeaTek
Headquartered in Buhler, Kan., IdeaTek is a broadband service provider with the mission of “Fighting for Internet Freedom™.” IdeaTek uses a unique and innovative approach to deploy scalable, long-term fiber optic infrastructures, bridging the broadband gap in Kansas communities. IdeaTek has long been a state and national advocate for broadband equity policy and has built nearly 4,500 miles of fiber throughout Kansas. They were recently named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies for the ninth time.
