|
September
What: First City Festival
When: Sept. 9–11
Where: Leavenworth, Delaware and Esplanade streets
Information: (800) 844-4114, http://www.leavenworthmainstreet.com. Food, children's activities, entertainment, art, quilt shows, music and fireworks over Missouri River.
What: Leavenworth BBQ Cook-Off
When: Sept. 10 and 11
Where: Fort Leavenworth, Grant and Sedgewick avenues
Information: Phone: (913) 651-6810. Annual sanctioned barbecue cook-off held at historic Fort Leavenworth.
What: Lenexa Spinach Festival
When: Sept. 11
Where: Lenexa, Sar Ko Par Trails Park, 87th & Lackman Road
Information: (913) 541-0209, http://www.ci.lenexa.ks.us. Lenexa was named the “Spinach Capital of the World” during the 1930s. The Spinach Festival rolls all of the history surrounding Lenexa into a fun celebration.
What: Haskell Indian Art Market
When: Sept. 11 and 12
Where: Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University, 25th and Massachusetts
Information: (785) 843-6830, http://www.haskell.edu. Two-day outdoor market featuring Native American artists from around the country.
What: September Art Walk
When: Sept. 17
Where: Baldwin City, 718 High St.
Information: (785) 594-3200, http://baldwincitychamber.com. Browse galleries between 6–8 p.m.
What: Apple Fest
When: Sept. 18
Where: Overland Park, 13800 Switzer Road
Information: (913) 897-2360, http://www.artsandrec-op.org/farmstead. Event is from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Enjoy crafts, games, homemade kettle corn, apple sauce and apple cider. There also will be: A beekeeper, square dancing and live music.
What: Freedom Festival
When: Sept. 18–19
Where: Osawatomie, 1000 Main St.
Information: (913) 755-4384, http://www.kshs.org. Event features a re-enactment of the Battle of Osawatomie, the largest battle during "Bleeding Kansas." The Freedom Festival also features modern live music, a modern arts and crafts fair, food vendors, modern military and emergency services displays, and children's activities.
What: 50th Annual OP Fall Festival & Parade
When: Sept. 25
Where: Overland Park, 7315 W. 79th St.
Information: (913) 642-2222, http://www.downtownop.org. In conjunction with the City of Overland Park, this event features a large arts and crafts fair in Santa Fe Commons Park, the annual parade, a farmers market, music, fun for the kids, an outdoor Business Connection Fair and much more.
October
What: Oktoberfest Celebration
When: Oct. 1
Where: Shawnee, Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Dr.
Information: (913) 631-5200. Shawnee's Oktoberfest is intended for the whole family and includes games for the children. All events are open to the public, free admission.
What: Blues & Bar-B-Que
When: Oct. 2
Where: Baldwin, 718 8th St.
Information: (785) 594-3200, http://www.lumberyardartscenter.org. Sixth annual "Blues & BBQ" will be held at the Lumberyard in downtown Baldwin City. All proceeds benefit the building fund for The Lumberyard Arts Center.
What: Nordic Heritage Festival Event
When: Oct. 2
Where: Lawrence, 2120 Harper
Information: (785) 843-7535, http://www.nordicheritagefes.com. Experience Scandinavian culture through food, arts and crafts, genealogy, music, dance and more.
What: Scarecrow Festival
When: Oct. 2
Where: Shawnee, 11110 Johnson Dr.
Information: (913) 631-2500, http://www.GoodStartsHere.com. Festivities include a scarecrow contest, pumpkin painting and decorating contest, pie contest and activities for the kids.
What: Autumn in the Grove
When: Oct. 9
Where: Lansing, Kelly Grove Park, E Gilman Rd and Hwy 7
Information: (913) 727-5488, http://www.lansing.ks.us. This event includes a variety of fall favorites: pumpkin decorating, live music, scarecrow contest, apple cider, caramel apples, bon fire, farmers market, artisan demonstrations, apple dumplings, face painting, great food and much more.
What: Chili Challenge
When: Oct. 15 and 16
Where: Lenexa, Old Town
Information: (913) 541-0209, http://www.ci.lenexa.ks.us. The Chili Challenge features 100 teams competing in various categories.
What: 53rd Annual Maple Leaf Festival
When: Oct. 16 and 17
Where: Baldwin City, 720 High St.
Information: (785) 594-7564, http://www.mapleleaffestival.com. Family fun, food, and musical entertainment.
What: Night of the Living Farm
When: Oct. 22–30
Where: Overland Park, 13800 Switzer Road
Information: (913) 897-2360, http://www.artsandrec-op.org/farmstead. Old-fashioned lanterns and carved pumpkins will lead costumed trick-or-treaters through pathways of graves and ghouls at the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Flashlight scavenger hunt; Haunted horse-drawn hayride; Tractor pulled wagon ride (for little trick-or-treaters); Marshmallow roast and campfire; and Halloween dancing stage. Farmstead will have grilled bratwursts, cider, caramel apples and glow-in-the-dark necklaces for sale.
What: Terror Train
When: Oct. 22–30
Where: Baldwin City, Santa Fe Depot, 1515 W. High St.,
Information: (913) 721-1211, http://www.midland-ry.org
Departing from the historic Santa Fe Depot in Baldwin City, these specially decorated haunted trains pull out into the night at 6:30, 8 and 9:30 p.m. Parents take note: The later the train ride the more scary the experience.
What: Halloween Haunted Train
When: Oct. 29 and 30
Where: Atchison, 200 S. 10th
Information: (913) 367-7536. Miniature train ride for children with ghosts, goblins and treats. Rides are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Atchison Rail Museum. Donations are appreciated.
November
What: Veteran's Day Parade
When: Nov. 11
Where: Leavenworth, Delaware Street
Information: (913) 651-0410 Largest and oldest observance west of the Mississippi River.
What: Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov. 12
Where: Overland Park, 7315 W. 79th St.
Information: (913) 642-2222, http://www.downtownop.org
What: KCK Second Friday Artwalk
When: Nov. 12
Where: Various downtown KCK locations
Information: (913) 371-0024, http://www.kckartsnetwork.com. Explore various art galleries throughout downtown. Event features live music, comedy.
What: Holiday Light Parade
When: Nov. 20
Where: Baldwin City, 720 High St.
Information: (785) 594-3200, http://www.baldwincitychamber.com. Se lighted floats and horses. Help welcome Santa, who arrives on an antique fire engine to light the community Christmas tree and pass out candy canes to the children.
What: Memory Lane Christmas Light Display and Tree Farm
When: Nov. 25–Dec. 24
Where: Rantoul, 2710 Vermont Road
Information: (800) 296-6745, http://www.pleasantridge.com. Enjoy this mile-long road with more than 30 light displays ranging from toys to the Christmas story, then enjoy hot cocoa, a visit to the gift shop and go home with one of your favorite trees, hand-cut, shaken and netted especially for you.
What: Holiday Luminary Walk
When: Nov. 26–Dec. 4
Where: Overland Park, 8909 W. 179th St.
Information: (913) 685-3604, http://www.opabg.org. Stroll down candlelit trails through the gardens and woods and around the ponds at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens' Holiday Luminary Walk. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children, ages 5-11. Those 4 and under are free. No pets please.
December
What: Homes for the Holidays Tours
When: Dec. 3 and 4
Where: Atchison, various locations
Information: (800) 234-1854, http://www.atchisonkansas.net. Have a rare glimpse inside five private homes beautifully decorated for the holidays by local designers.
What: Holiday Art Fair
When: Dec. 4
Where: Lawrence, Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire
Information: (785) 843-2787. Local artists exhibit and sell their works.
What: Ottawa Christmas Parade & Victorian Festival
When: Dec. 4
Where: Ottawa, Main Street
Information: (785) 242-1000, http://www.ottawakansas.org
What: Holidays in Wellsville
When: Dec. 4 and 5
Where: Wellsville, Main Street
Information: (785) 883-2462. Festivities include tree lighting ceremony, Wellsville Tour of Homes, home lights and window decorating contests, craft show, pictures with Santa, and more.
What: Nutcracker Tea Party
When: Dec. 5
Where: Overland Park, 9000 W. 137th St.
Information: (913) 895-6357, http://www.nutcrackerteaparty.org. The afternoon will begin with tea (sandwiches, fruit, dessert and beverages). The event will include a one-hour ballet performance of "The Nutcracker."
What: Vespers
When: Dec. 5
Where: Lawrence, Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Drive
Information: (785) 864-2787, http://www.lied.ku.edu. Holiday tradition featuring University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra and choirs performing seasonal music.
What: KCK Second Friday Artwalk
When: Dec. 10
Where: Various downtown KCK locations
Information: (913) 371-0024, http://www.kckartsnetwork.com. Explore various art galleries throughout downtown. Event features live music, comedy.
What: Candlelight Vintage Homes Tour
When: Dec. 12
Where: Leavenworth, 1128 Fifth Ave.
Information: (913) 682-7759, http://www.leavenworthhistory.org. Tour of several vintage homes, Carnegie Arts Center and the Carroll Mansion. |