Manhattan Area of Chamber of Commerce officials have expressed disappointment over the news that Manhattan’s 24-year relationship with Country Stampede is ending. They added that they are pleased to have been a part of the success of the country music festival.

In a statement they stated that they “believe the thousands of people who attended Country Stampede in Manhattan throughout the years have enjoyed the hospitality and the community. “The owners of Country Stampede have made it clear that this decisiion is not a reflection on the City of Manhattan or Tuttle Creek State Park. Our understanding is that Stampede officials needed to attract a new capital partner to continue to grow and expand the festival in the future. For local country music fans , the good news is they found a partner that will keep the festival in northeast Kansas. Unfortunately for Manhattan, that new partnership means the festival will have a new home near Topeka.”

They stated that Manhattan and Tuttle Creek State Park have a strong track record of hosting a nationally acclaimed music festival for more than two decades, and this announcement does nothing to change that.

Country Stampede will be renamed Heartland Stampede and be located in the future at Heartland Motorsports Park near Topeka.