Meet the Board

The Smallville Festival is brought to life by a small group of volunteers who believe Hutchinson deserves a celebration as bold as its connection to the Man of Steel. Get to know the people behind the cape.

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Christopher “Smallville” Wietrick-Founder & President

My name is Christopher Wietrick. In 2012, myself and two friends started a campaign to rename Hutchinson to "Smallville, Kansas". In 2013, it became a reality and the following year, I created the Smallville Festival. I absolutely love the community that I live in and this event provides a way for me to connect with people from all walks of life. The Smallville Festival is, also, a great way to connect the community together and provide a fun, family friendly event to everyone AND give back to the city I love. In my other life, I am the Sports Coordinator at the YMCA. I enjoy teaching kids every sport there is and I love watching them develop their skills over the years. Sports is my real job but, it translates to my position with the festival board: teamwork. You're nothing without your team. And, I really love the one I'm working with.

A person with short dark hair wearing a red plaid shirt and a pearl necklace, smiling at the camera. The background features the Batman logo illuminated in the night sky with city buildings.

Gina Johnson-Vice President

Hey, everyone!!! I am Gina Johnson, and I am apparently your Vice President of Smallville Festival. I hail from Mt. Hope, KS, but call Hutchinson home. When I am not wrangling my massive honey-do list, taking care of and making memories with my family, and attempting to pacify my feral princess Pomeranian Prudence...you can find me working at Kuhn Krause or the family owned shop, The Mystic Menagerie. In my spare time (wait, I have no spare time), I enjoy riding motorcycles with my Twizted Wolves family, taking in the occasional karaoke show and libation, or sleeping. I founded HSCP and have served on the boards of EK and PFLAG. I am really excited to serve on this board with such amazing people and bring a great event to Hutchinson. Here's to Smallville Festival 2026. Now hand me a beer.


Close-up of a young woman with light brown hair, wearing glasses, smiling with a nose piercing, in a cozy indoor setting.

Abbie Ward-Treasurer

Hi there! I'm Abbie Ward, and I’m honored to be serving on the board as Treasurer this year. I jumped at the chance to get involved because I believe vibrant communities are shaped by those who show up and dive in to make a difference. Outside of board duties I stay happily busy with HutchConnect, gardening, camping, and making memories with my family. I'm so excited to bring my energy to this role, learn along the way, and help create amazing experiences for everyone here!


A woman with short brown hair smiling, wearing a teal jacket and a black top, with a beaded necklace.

Gina Long-Secretary

Gina Long was born in Hutchinson, grew up in western Nebraska, and boomeranged back to Kansas in 2011. She fell in love with Hutchinson's history and works to preserve history as it happens, while building towards the future. She is a reference librarian, co-founder of The Hutchinson Tribune, and serves on the board of the Reno County Historical Society. When she is not volunteering in the community, she enjoys watching bad sci-fi, reading and taking her dog on long walks.