Fall festival fun, BBQ contest, live music and more in Johnson County this week
It’s officially fall, and Johnson County has plenty of events happening in the days and weeks to come.
You can soak up the season at Overland Park’s fall festival, fire up your grill for a BBQ showdown in Shawnee, and binge some films on the big screen in Lenexa this week in Johnson County. Plus, you can also catch an outdoor concert while the warm nights last in Leawood.
Read on to learn more about how to get updates, get involved in other community projects and find some free and cheap fun this weekend.
Each week, as part of our Johnson County News coverage and weekly newsletter, we share news, tips, events and community resources for several cities across Johnson County.
Have an event in your community you want to share? Submit it for free to our community calendar. And sign up for the weekly newsletter to get more JoCo news delivered right to your inbox.
Access Johnson County services
This year’s Johnson County IDD Resource Fair will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. There will be more than 60 local service providers and other community resources available to people with IDD in Johnson County. The Community Developmental Disabilities Organization team will also be on site to help with questions and to begin intake paperwork.
New memorial garden in Gardner
The Gardner Police Department is honoring survivors and victims with a Domestic Violence Memorial Garden and displaying a purple flag in front of the Gardner Justice Center through October.
Free concert in Leawood
Jamogi & the Jammers will play in the September Sounds concert series from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Leawood City Park. It is recommended to bring chairs and blankets.
Firefighter meet and greet
The Leawood Fire Station is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Leawood Fire Station. The event will include an interactive fire safety house, snacks and information about important safety skills such as CPR and using a fire extinguisher. Plus, Leawood’s first fire engine from 1949 will be on display.
Lenexa film festival
The Manhattan Short Film Festival kicks off from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, the community forum, Lenexa City Hall. There will be a public screening of the top 10 finalists in the 2025 Manhattan Short Film Festival. Audience members will cast ballots for the Best Film and Best Actor categories. All selected finalists are eligible for consideration in the 2026 Academy Awards.
Meet Merriam police
Look inside a cruiser and meet neighborhood officers at Merriam Plaza Library’s Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Take a rolling tour of Mission
The Rock Creek Corridor Walk & Roll Tour starts at 10 a.m. and goes till noon on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. The mobile workshop will feature city staff, the consultant team from Wilson & Company, and BikeWalk KC, who will discuss current conditions and future aspirations.
Get rid of unwanted waste in Overland Park
The Blue Valley Switzer District Activity Complex is hosting a construction debris dropoff from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 27. Residents are limited to one visit and may not exceed the amount of waste in a truck and medium trailer. Staff will be available to assist with unloading, but residents should be prepared to unload.
You can recycle your electronics and shred documents from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Blue Valley Switzer District Activity Complex. Electronics, small appliances and most items powered with a cord or battery are accepted. Items that cost to recycle include CRT monitors, CRT TVs, projection TVs and LCD TVs. Documents for shredding will also be accepted for a suggested donation of $5 per box. There is no residency requirement for this event.
Fall festival in Overland Park
The Fall Festival returns this weekend to downtown Overland Park. There will be live entertainment, vendors, and food. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.
Learn about trees in Prairie Village
The Prairie Village Tree Board will host a free seminar, “What’s Bugging Our Trees”, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse.
Practice your BBQ skills in Shawnee
The 30th annual Great Grillers Blues & BBQ will take place on Friday evening, Sept. 26, and all day Saturday, Sept. 27, at Shawnee Town.
