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The Volland Foundation
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Sat, 31 May, 2025 at 09:30 am - Sun, 01 Jun, 2025 at 01:30 pm (GMT-05:00)
The Volland Foundation
24098 Volland Road, Alma, United States
A fundraiser for Native Stone Scenic Byway and Volland Foundation
Come along for a fun-filled trip to see and learn more about the abundant native fish species in Wabaunsee County, Kansas!
More than 20 species of fish are found in the crystal clear waters of these Flint Hills streams, and you will have the opportunity to see them up close!
Spring is an ideal time to see the fish since they'll be dressed in their full mating colors.
The day launches at 9:30am at Volland's gallery. Check in early to see the Fish Bro Show by Joe Tomelleri and Ray Troll (two of the multi-talented Fish Wizards). Scientific and whimsical depictions of fish and fish-related themes will delight you. Then join the caravan to a local creek where we link up with the Wizards.
The Fish Wizards will locate and seine for fish, then bring them up for the participants to see. Details will be shared about the 20+ species of fish that are found in clear Flint Hills streams.
After wading and watching and learning, a boxed lunch will be provided around noon, and you are invited to visit and linger in the shade, departing at your leisure.
Attendance is limited to 30 individuals for each day.
The Fish Wizards tour is a fundraiser for the Native Stone Scenic Byway and the Volland Foundation. Registration fees are non-refundable. Every effort will be made to provide the tour on-site. In the case of heavy rain and/or stream flows, a presentation will be given about Kansas fish species and the history of Volland: 24098 Volland Road. Map and directions here. More event details at vollandfoundation.org.
Below: Southern Redbelly Dace, found in the creek at Fish Wizards in 2024. Illustration by Joe Tomelleri.
Dr. Brian Bohnsack was the original idea man behind the tour, and he will provide insights on the principles of fish and wildlife management based on his long career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and Wichita State University.
Dr. Bill Stark is a professor at Fort Hays State University and specializes in fisheries and aquatic environment studies.
Joe Tomelleri is the world’s leading freshwater fish illustrator whose more than 1,100 scientifically accurate illustrations document the species in their native colors.
Mike Kaminski is a fisheries biologist and Instructor of Biology at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska,
Dr. James Whitney joined the Wizards in 2024. He researches fishes, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians at Pittsburg State University where he is an Associate Professor of Biology.
Ray Troll creates fishy images that swim into museums, books and magazines, and onto t-shirts worn around the world. He draws his inspiration from extensive field work and the latest scientific discoveries, bringing a street-smart sensibility to the worlds of ichthyology and paleontology.
Dr. Erika Martin joins us for the first time in 2025. She teaches and researches Biological Sciences in Emporia State University's School of Science and Mathematics.
above, left to right: Joe Tomelleri and Ray Troll, Fish Bros.
Free admission | Reservations required | Under "Select Date & Time," select Saturday, May 31. Go to "Get Tickets." Make your free reservations and optional dinner reservations by May 24th.
Saturday Night Dinner | $20
The Native Stone Scenic Byway & Volland Foundation are delighted to host
the Fish-a-Palooza. A Free Will donation will be gratefully accepted at the door.
https://www.sallyandthehurts.com
Sally and The Hurts is an Americana Roots trio from north central Kansas that brings beautifully-crafted violin, hauntingly melodic musical saw, and finger-picking guitar to the stage. Rumor has it that Ray Troll (Fish Bro) will join them for a few tunes.
Place your order by May 22nd. Pick it up at the Tour or at Fish-a-Palooza.
Info: Check-in, grab a cup of coffee, and be the first to check out the Fish Bro Show, an exhibit by Fish Wizards Joe Tomelleri and Ray Troll. The exhibit will continue through the end of June.
Info: Lunch is provided with your ticket. The lunch by Alma's Bakery and Sweet Shoppe, includes a sandwich, chips, cookie, and a bottle of water.
Info: Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing). Bring a t-shirt or bandana, or use our paper for your print. Learn about bug hotels, use macroscopes to examine helgramites from the creek, earn a Bug Inspector Badge, and play Bug Bingo!
Info: The Fish Bro Show, a fishy art exhibit, from the meticulous scientific to the whimsical and bizarre?
Info: Don't panic! There is a Kansas Safe Harbor Program that makes sure nothing will happen on your property without your permission. Q & A with Trevor Stark, coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' Aquatic Species Recovery Program. He knows all the answers!
Info: Sally plays guitar, writes songs and sings, and The Hurts play a fiddle and a saw, and you will love them! It is rumored that Ray Troll (yes, he's an artist, a fisherman, and he has a band back in Alaska) may join in for a couple of tunes.
Also check out other Kids events & activities in Alma, Music events in Alma, Arts events in Alma.
Tickets for Fish Wizards 2025 & Fish-A-Palooza can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Fish Wizards Tour | 60 USD |
| Fish-A-Palooza Adult Ticket | Free |
| Fish-A-Palooza Kid Ticket | Free |
| Adult XS | 37 USD |
| Adult S | 37 USD |
| Adult M | 37 USD |
| Adult L | 37 USD |
| Adult XL | 37 USD |
| Adult XXL | 43 USD |
| Adult 3XL | 43 USD |
| Adult 4XL | 43 USD |
| Adult 5XL | 43 USD |
| Youth XS | 31 USD |
| Youth S | 31 USD |
| Youth M | 31 USD |
| Youth L | 31 USD |
| Youth XL | 31 USD |
We have gathered all the information for you in one convenient spot, but please keep in mind that these are subject to change.We do our best to keep everything updated, but something might be out of sync. For the latest updates, always check the official event details by clicking the "Find Tickets" button.
