During early statehood, residents of Kansas formed vigilante groups to protect themselves from horse thieves. These groups, including the Central Protective Association, shared bylaws and practices with the Anti-Horse Thief Association. In 1901, Eudora residents formed CPA Lodge No. 191, one of five Douglas County lodges. The lodge held regular meetings and an annual oyster supper with a short program of music and dancing. The CPA Picnic, the social event of the year, replaced Eudora’s Fourth of July picnic. The event offered prizes, including live baby ducks.

In 1901, the First Eudora CPA Picnic was held at Durr’s Grove, north of the Wakarusa River. The picnic was arranged by Douglas and Johnson County delegates and members were encouraged to bring their families. The event featured various amusements, including races and contests with prizes donated by Eudora merchants. Over 1,500 CPA members and their families attended the event, and a parade took place before the races began. The largest family of boys and girls, the largest mustache for boys under 17, and the homeliest escort were among the categories for prizes. Despite other available picnic sites, Durr’s Grove was favored for its easy access from the railroad, allowing for outsiders to attend.

From 1902 to 1920, the Central Protective Association (C.P.A.) Picnic was an annual event held in various locations throughout Douglas County, Kansas. The event featured athletic races, produce prizes, and silly contests such as best-looking widow, best-looking old bachelor, and tallest man. In 1903, the picnic was postponed indefinitely due to flood waters, and in 1904 it was held in Baldwin, Kansas. In 1905, the picnic returned to Durr’s Grove and featured a parade, juggling performances, and a speech from Governor Hoch. The picnic attracted top political candidates, and in 1909, attendees consumed 110 gallons of ice cream. Despite attempts by Lawrence merchants to move the picnic to their town, it remained in Eudora until the event’s last year in 1920.

The Eudora Picnic was an annual event that brought together friends and neighbors from various counties. The event featured entertaining programs such as carnival rides, ball games, big platform dances, and political speeches. The event attracted enthusiastic receptions and crowds, with people wearing their best clothes. It also featured parades, with floats from merchants, organizations, car contests with prizes for best decorated and most tackiest, and afternoon races where people competed in various activities. The concession funds helped defray the expenses of booking a carnival, which at that time cost between $200-300.

The CPA Picnic has remained a constant feature in Eudora, Kansas, for over a century, and some aspects have stayed the same, such as the church dinners, nail driving contests, and family reunions. The picnic has undergone some changes, with the carnival expanding from one to three days and the dates changing in 2003 to accommodate the amusement company’s schedule. The carnival has replaced ice cream with cotton candy and sno-cones, and soda pop has taken the place of lemonade. Over time, more children have participated in the Children’s Parade, which has become more elaborate, and there are now two parades, including the Saturday night parade featuring floats from adult organizations. The event has been combined with other celebrations, such as the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. The picnic still attracts large crowds and features a variety of booths and events staffed by community groups.