Happy Independence Day Weekend!

We’ve already been having fun shooting off fireworks and making a mess with smoke bombs the past few days. Our girls also had a blast at the Waz Up Firework show last Saturday and got some free cotton candy! I hope you enjoy some time celebrating this weekend, and please be safe!

In other news, I just listed an incredible luxury barndominium for sale and made a full walkthrough video that you can watch by clicking HERE! I get asked all the time by people wanting a beautiful house, some land, and a giant shop. So this is your chance!! I’ve also got some fun weekend events to check out below if you’re not already booked up.

Let’s get into it!

– Caleb Claussen (your favorite Realtor 😉)

After months of uncertainty, there's exciting news for Derby and the surrounding communities. Ascension Via Christi has officially acquired the former Rock Regional Hospital, giving the facility a fresh start and paving the way for healthcare services to return to the area.

The hospital, which unexpectedly closed in January following bankruptcy proceedings, left Derby without its only full-service hospital. Now, the 90,000-square-foot facility has been renamed Ascension Via Christi St. Peter, and work is already underway to bring it back to life.

While patients won't be able to walk through the doors just yet, Via Christi has shared an ambitious plan for the next year. Teams will spend the coming months renovating the building, updating medical equipment, installing new technology and electronic health record systems, and integrating the hospital into Via Christi's larger network. The health system also plans to begin hiring later this year, with an emphasis on giving qualified former Rock Regional employees the opportunity to return.

The goal is to reopen the hospital in summer 2027, bringing inpatient care, emergency services, and other healthcare options back to Derby once all regulatory approvals and operational preparations are complete.

For Derby residents, this is more than just a new name on the building. It's the return of an essential community resource and another sign of continued investment and growth in the area. While there's still work ahead before the first patients are welcomed back, it's encouraging to know that the facility won't be sitting empty for long—and that quality healthcare is on its way back to Derby.

🎨 Beyond Diagnosis
Experience an inspiring exhibit that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities during this free community event.
📍 Location: Envision Arts Center
📆 Date & Time: July 3, 2026 • 4:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🎶 Bloomfield Carillon Concert – Independence Day
Kick off the holiday weekend with a patriotic carillon concert featuring music performed from the museum's historic bell tower. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy this longtime Wichita tradition.
📍 Location: Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
📆 Date & Time: July 3, 2026 • 12:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🎬 RiverFlix – Featuring Hamilton
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a free outdoor screening of the award-winning musical Hamilton along the Arkansas River.
📍 Location: Exploration Place
📆 Date & Time: July 3, 2026
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🚶 Tribute to Veterans Walking Tour of Maple Grove Cemetery
Take a guided walking tour highlighting the stories and sacrifices of veterans laid to rest at one of Wichita's oldest cemeteries.
📍 Location: Maple Grove Cemetery
📆 Date & Time: July 3–5, 2026 • 9:00 AM
🎟️ Tickets: $17.76
🔗 More info

Celebrate America at Cowtown
Step back in time for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration featuring patriotic programs, historical demonstrations, games, music, and family-friendly activities throughout Old Cowtown Museum.
📍 Location: Old Cowtown Museum
📆 Date & Time: July 4, 2026 • 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Adults $15 • Seniors (62+) $13 • Youth (5–17) $8 • Ages 4 & Under Free • Members Free
🔗 More info

🎆 Red, White & Boom
Celebrate Independence Day in downtown Wichita with an evening of live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and one of the area's biggest fireworks shows.
📍 Location: Kennedy Plaza at Century II
📆 Date & Time: July 4, 2026
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🚂 Trains: Red, White, and Blue
Celebrate the Fourth with model trains, railroad exhibits, and patriotic fun for train enthusiasts of all ages.
📍 Location: Great Plains Transportation Museum
📆 Date & Time: July 4, 2026 • 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $6 Per Person
🔗 More info

I just listed a barndominium unlike anything I've toured before. 10.4 acres, a 2,700 square foot climate-controlled garage with an RV-ready door, and a loft upstairs built for entertaining. I put together a full video tour so you can see it for yourself, including the garage, which honestly has to be seen to believe.

Click below to watch the full video tour!

(Click Each One To See The Full Listing)

If you—or someone you know—is thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate around Wichita, I’d love to help! And even if you’re just tackling a home project and need a solid contractor recommendation, I’ve got plenty to share. The easiest way to reach me is by call or text at 316-259-1995. Or if it’s easier, you can grab a time on my calendar and I’ll follow up with you!

That’s all for this week! I hope you have an awesome weekend!

-Caleb Claussen

P.S. If you or a friend is looking to buy, sell, or invest around the Wichita market, I’d love to be your real estate resource of choice! Reach out anytime!