guides

September Festivals and Special Events Guide - Johnson County, Kansas

By Gail Keller - Publisher Macaroni Kid JoCo / KCK September 5, 2018

It's time to get ready for fall family fun in our community. Arts and crafts, food trucks, live music, parades, and even wine and beer for the parents!


Every Weekend - Kansas City Renaissance Festival
thru Oct. 15   Bonner Springs, Kansas
 
Daily Armored Jousting

7 Themed Weekends

20 Stages of Live Entertainment

200 Artisan Booths for Endless Shopping

Food, Drinks, & More!

Open Weekends September 1 – October 14
Plus Labor Day and Columbus Day. 10 am to 7 pm
Sept. 6-8 - Johnson County Old Settler's Day
Olathe, Kansas
Annual festival Downtown Olathe
Arts & Crafts, live music, flower show, Sat. parade, carnival and more!
Thu 12-10 pm, Fri 10 am - 11 pm, Sat 9 am - 11 pm

Sept. 7-16 - Kansas State Fair
Hutchinson, Kansas


10-day celebration with a different daily theme and special events
Sept. 7 & 8 - Hog Wild BBQ
Leavenworth, Kansas
Friday night live music, food, drink, strolling magicians, face painters, and an acrobatic and aerialist troupe from Kansas. Saturday 25+ BBQers, plus more music, food eating contests, a Kids-Que competition and a People's Choice Competition.


Sept. 8 - Bark in the Park
Leawood, Kansas
The event will begin at 9:00 am with a Dog n’ Jog event through Ironwoods Park. Vendor booths will open at 10:00 am. Activities will include pet adoptions and demonstrations like agility, obedience, and Frisbee dogs.
Your dog can compete for prizes in contests such as best kisser, best singer, best trick, best wag, best dressed, doggie dash, and dog/owner look-alike competition. The annual favorite “Pooch Paint” will be part of the event activities. Dogs will be assisted in creating artworks with their paws.
Educational events and story time will take place at the Historic Oxford Schoolhouse and the Prairie Oak Nature Center. Bark in the Park event will include a performance of BARK! The Musical presented by the Leawood Stage Company at 11:00 am in the Ironwoods Amphitheater. This musical follows six canine characters for a day at Doggie Daycare.
Sat. 9 am - 2 pm.
$10/carload

Sept. 8 - Lenexa Spinach Festival
Lenexa, Kansas
To honor Lenexa's history as the "Spinach Capital of the World," this festival offers live music, an outdoor food court, numerous kids activities and competitions, antique and craft shopping and, of course, a spinach recipe contest. Events for kids include a baby crawling contest, inflatables, arts and crafts stations, a rock skipping contest, face paint, and a visit from Popeye and Olive Oyl.
Sat 9 am - 4 pm
FREE Admission

Sept. 8 - Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle Show
Merriam, Kansas
Held annually (rain or shine) on the second Saturday in September, Merriam's Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle Show features all classes of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Enjoy prizes, music by DJ Rick Frederick, great local food vendors, and 250+ entries on display.
Sat. 10 am - 4:30 pm

Sept. 8 - Prairie Village Jazz Festival
Prairie Village, Kansas
Enjoy great music outside. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.
Sat. 3-11 pm
$5/adult. 18 and under free.

Sept. 8 - Moon Shine on the Farm
Overland Park, Kansas

ADULTS ONLY
You've taken your kids there tons of times, now it's time for you to have all the fun! Leave the kids at home and get ready to do your best boot-scootin' boogie, because it's time for Moon Shine On the Farm! We're talking good food, music and dancing - all going down under the stars right here at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. It's time to round up your loved ones, friends and neighbors, and prepare yourself for the best adults-only hoedown in town.
Casual Dress (jeans and boots are great!)
Live Music and dancing
Dinner
Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks
Hay Rides
Souvenir mug
... and more!
$60/person

Sept. 9 - Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Lawrence, Kansas
39th annual festival
Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

Sept. 14 & 15 American Royal World Series of Barbeque
Kansas City, Kansas
 
Live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a full line up of kids activities, and a vendor fair
Fri. 3 - 10:30 pm, Sat. 11 am - 10 pm

Sept. 14, 15 & 16 - Sunflower Art and Music Fest
De Soto, Kansas


12th annual art show. Fine arts and crafts, live music, food and beautiful sunflowers.
Fri 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am - 7 pm, Sun 12-5 pm

Sept. 15 - Friends of Shawnee Town Crafts Fair
Shawnee, Kansas
Over 130 vendors, showcasing their hand-made, homemade and re-purposed items.
Several food vendors on site to meet the needs of your taste buds! FREE kids' activities. Live music will be heard from the Gazebo throughout the day. Performers include The Anchovy Fisherman and Darrell Lea. Admission is just $1 per person
Saturday 9 am - 4 pm

Sept 15 - Blue Valley Rec Touch-A-Truck
Overland Park, Kansas

 
This free event allows kids get up-close and personal with cars, trucks and big rigs of all kinds! It's a great opportunity for kids to touch, explore, and ask questions about their favorite vehicles.
Saturday 10 - 11:30 am
FREE
Sept. 16 - Park Palooza
Shawnee, Kansas
FREE fun for the entire family. Live music and entertainment. Activities for all ages. The Great American Kites Company will be flying their kites. Food trucks and concessions.
Sun. 11 am - 6 pm

Sept. 16 - Funday Sunday
Merriam, Kansas
Don't miss the last food truck fun of the 2018 season in Merriam and dare to try some new fare! Enjoy both savory and sweet from various local trucks. Inflatable Fire Truck Slide and face painting for the kiddos. Music by the band Timberfall A portion of the proceeds from food purchases will be donated to support Flags4Freedom.
Sun. 4 - 7 pm

Sept. 21 - Great Grillers Blues and Barbeque State Championship
Shawnee, Kansas
Kids Fun Zone  Moonwalk and Slide
Food Trucks
Beer Tent
Band
Fri. 6-10 pm.
Free Admission

Sept. 22 - Smithsonian Museum Day Live!
Nationwide
Smithsonian Magazine hosts Museum Day Live across the country. Get one ticket for two people to get in free today.
C. W. Parker Carousel Museum - Leavenworth
Cosmosphere - Hutchinson
Fort Hays State Historic Site - Fort Hays
Gardner Historical Museum
Grinter Place State Historic Site - Kansas City
Johnson County Museum - Overland Park
Kansas Museum of History - Topeka
Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture - Olathe
and more!

Sept. 22 - Food Truck Frenzy
Lenexa, Kansas
Enjoy yummy food at the food trucks and live music!
Sat. 4:30 - 10 pm

Sept. 22 - Winefest
Kansas City, Kansas
ADULTS 21+ ONLY.
200 wines, 100+ craft beers, food from 30+ restaurants, fireworks show and after party.

Sept. 22 - Cornstock 2018
Garnett, Kansas
Country music festival
Sat. 3:30 - 11 pm

Sept. 22 & 23 - Wild West Days
Olathe, Kansas


Live entertainment! Performances from the Whip Guy, Wicked Liars, and Entertainment from the Whip Guy, the Wicked Liars and more! Sample delicious food from the chuckwagons and vote for your favorite (Saturday only)
Other activities may include:
Visiting Cowboy Camps, Visiting Buffalo Soldiers, Take a stagecoach ride, Roping, Playing 1860s games, All live entertainment
Activities requiring an extra fee:
Gold Panning ($2 or two activity tickets)
Branding ($3 or three activity tickets)
Leather Stamping ($2 or two activity tickets)
Learn to drive from Rocking M Miniatures ($2 or two activity tickets)
Air-gun shooting gallery (ages 8 & up) ($2 or two activity tickets)
Making an 'S' hook in the blacksmith shop (ages 8 & up) ($4 or four activity tickets for one 'S' hook)
Saturday only: the Santa Fe Trail Rotary Club hosts Omelet Fest in the Heritage Center. Cost is $8/person, for a delicious omelet, baked goods and refreshments, includes admission to Wild West Days.
Food available for purchase (cash only, activity tickets not valid at food vendors)
Doc's Root Beer
Olathe Noon Optimist Club
Boy Scout Troop 494
Sat. 10 am - 4 pm, Sun. 11 am - 4 pm
Admission is $5/person ages 5 & up, some activities require an extra fee.  

Sept. 23 - Hedge Apple Day at the Arboretum
Overland Park, Kansas
Kids will love this fun, hands-on event. Come and make nature crafts to take home with you. Make one of our classic crafts, the Hedge Apple Goblin. All nature items are collected right here at the Arboretum. Join us! No pre-registration necessary, included with admission.
Sun. 12 -4 pm

Sept. 28 - Smoke on the Trails
Gardner, Kansas
This is a qualifying event for the American Royal World Series of Barbeque competition and the Jack Daniels World Championship for 2019. Open to the public on Friday evening. Live bands, Beer Garden and kid zone. BBQ judging will begin on Saturday
Fri. 4 - 10 pm

Sept. 28 - Grand Slam Beer, Win & Spirits Festival
Gardner, Kansas
ADULTS ONLY
Your ticket includes a commemorative sample glass, a program description of all beers, wines, and spirits on site. Free catered appetizers and live bands. We will also have all kinds of yard games. So grab your friends, blankets and lawn chairs for this Grand Slam event.
Fri. 7-10 pm
$30 in advance, $40 day of

Sept. 28 - Oktoberfest
Shawnee, Kansas
Annual German festival with live music, dance, ethnic food and games for the kids
Fri. 5:30-10 pm
Free admission

Sept. 28, 29 & 30 - Fall Festival
Spring Hill, Kansas
It's a 3-day festival starting Friday, September 28th with a talent show from 6-8 pm at Spring Hill Middle School. Bring $1 bills to vote for your favorite act! Food truck available 5:30-8:30 pm

Saturday will be full of fun activities. 10 am parade down Webster. entertainment, craft booths, food, games. petting zoo and inflatables. Paint a rock to hide in the community. Quilt show. Corn Hole Tournament $15 per person ($30 per team) OR $40 the day of the event. Games Booths, Inflatable Jousting, Live performances.  
Sunday 8 am Praise in the Park - Fall Festival Community Worship! Bring your lawn chairs.SHIFT Family Fun Run. Arts & Crafts/Vendors, Food, Entertainment, Games, KC Zoo Mobile
Fri 5:30-9, Sat 9-midnight, Sun 8-5

Sept. 29  - Fall Festival
Downtown Overland Park, Kansas
It's the annual festival in downtown Overland Park. Arts & crafts fair, 3 stages of live performances, vendor booths, concessions, inflatables and other kid's activities. Get a spot on the sidewalk to watch the parade (10 am)
Sat. 10 am - 10 pm

Sept. 29 - Kansas Chocolate Festival
Topeka, Kansas
Chocolate 5K/10K: Combat Air Museum's Winged-Foot run. MARS NASCAR & M&M'S merchandise available for purchase. Fine Chocolate samples and sales. The Kansas Chocolate Competition, 2 samples per $1
Chocolate, baked goods and sweets from regional vendors
Special Chocolate Experiences with downtown businesses
Look for the Sugar Plum Fairy, Willy Wonka and others to get a selfie
3 stages with live entertainment
Sat. 10 am - 3 pm

Sept. 29 & 30 - Great Plains Renaissance Festival
Wichita, Kansas
RenFest in Wichita
$12 Adults, $5 kids

Sept. 29 & 30 - Ciderfest
Louisburg, Kansas
Louisburg Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8:30 – 11 am. Other activities such as pony rides, inflatable slide, cider and donut-making and craft booths are ongoing throughout the day until 6 pm. Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch  $10 admission, children 3 and under are free.
Sat. & Sun. 8 am - 6 pm


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