Things to Do in Gardner

In 1988, potter Michael Smith invited a small group of peers to his home to share ideas and further explore the art of clay manipulation. After just a few meetings, the group quickly grew to include around 70 craftspeople, who started meeting at the Kansas City Art Institute instead of inside Smith's giant conch shell. These regular get-togethers laid the groundwork for the initial incarnation of KC Clay Guild, a place where artists could socialize, buy materials in bulk, and learn from one another.

Now, the volunteer-run co-op is even larger. It occupies its own facility and has vastly expanded the number of services it provides. Amidst the changes, KC Clay Guild has remained true to its initial goals, guided by a mission statement to support the clay community. Artists of all skill levels enroll in classes that cover an array of techniques, such as wheel throwing, hand building, and slip casting. Members take part in regular meetings, open-studio time, and monthly shows, and visiting artists stop by to lead workshops and repair their ceramic automobiles. The guild even offers a scholarship to high-school seniors and hosts birthday parties, team-building exercises, and family-fun nights for casual potters.

As a fun, environmentally friendly alternative to a party bus, Pedal Hopper totes tipplers from pub-to-pub aboard a bike powered by the pedaling legs of its riders. A designated tour guide takes care of steering and braking as you and your friends cruise to choice watering holes at 5–8 miles-per-hour—a speed scientifically proven to be perfect for enjoying good times or air-drying KISS tattoos you won’t remember getting. Pedal Hopper routes are generally designed to avoid steep avenues, allowing riders to propel forward at a casual pace without the fear of losing control. Taking its cue from the original bar cycles that have been wheeling carousers around Europe for more than 15 years, the bike boasts LED lights that allow for night riding.

Opened in 1989, Drop Zone Paintball Park's six fields sprawl over 89 acres of land, which play host to combat during sun or rain showers. In one field, a castle scenario corrals players into elevated turrets to defend against opponents who fire from surrounding towers across a makeshift moat. Elsewhere, trees lining ravines offer safe cover so shooters can take careful aim at their foes or draw their sweetheart's initials upon the trunks. Along with space for paintball and tournament-style speedball, the park's designers designated a special zone near the castle field where nonplayers can watch the action from a safe distance.