Pumpkin catapults, chili showdowns and more fall things to do in Johnson County
The trees are slowly starting to turn colors, and our long summer feels like it might be coming to an end.
This weekend in Johnson County includes some long-standing events — like the Lenexa Chili Challenge and the Shawnee Indian Mission fall festival in Fairway. But there’s plenty of new things to do as well.
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.
De Soto: The fine arts of fall
Local artists will sell a variety of handcrafted goods at the Fall Fine Arts & Crafts Show at the De Soto City Hall Gymnasium & Senior Center, 32905 W. 84th St.
Event hours:
- Friday: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 to 4 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Fairway: Celebrate Indigenous culture
Folks of all ages can enjoy the 35th Annual Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival on Saturday at 3403 W 53rd St.
Activities include: First American dancers; live bands; food trucks; wagon rides; pony ride and rope bridges.
Event hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gardner: Moms and son Nerf gun battle
Register soon if you want to take part in the Mother and Son Nerf event with multiple game modes to be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Wheatridge Middle School, 318 E. Washington St.
All ammo is provided. You can bring your own Nerf shooters, but they must be approved by organizers.
Battery-powered shooters are not allowed. This event is open to kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. The event costs $40 a couple and $20 for each additional son.
Leawood: Pumpkin patches, hayrides and a petting zoo at this festival
Find your perfect fall pumpkin at Into the Night Fall Festival at Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Road. There will be games, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, pumpkin decorating and carving, and a petting zoo. Kids can also enjoy crafts, face painting, inflatable axe-throwing and mini golf. Older adventurers (ages 9+) can try rock climbing at the Ironwoods Challenge Course from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Event hours are Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.
Lenexa: It’s time for the chili showdown
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The 38th annual Lenexa Chili Challenge kicks off with live music, face painters and balloon artists Friday. Then the cookoff featuring 200 contenders is Saturday. There, the public can get chili, wings and salsa samples while they last. The showdown takes place at Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road.
Event hours:
- Friday: 6 to 10 p.m. (pre-event)
- Saturday: 10 to 3 p.m. (cookoff)
Merriam: Recycle your unwanted items
Nations Holding is holding a community recycling event Saturday at 9001 W. 67th St. Accepted items include paper for shredding, electronics (fees may apply) and eyeglasses. You will need to provide proof of residency.
Event hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
Overland Park: Pumpkin catapults
Registration is open for the mini Punkin Chuckin event to be held 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave.
Kids aged 8-16 can build their own small-scale catapults and put them to the test by launching candy corn pumpkins across the field. All the materials are provided. The event costs $59 for residents and $65 for nonresidents.
Overland Park: Fall movie nights under the stars
The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is playing the film “Hocus Pocus” at their fall movie night under the stars, 8909 W. 179th St.
The event is Friday: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30
Overland Park: Fire and police department day out
The Overland Park Fire and Police Departments, along with volunteers, invite people with developmental disabilities and their families to watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities alongside local firefighters and police officers at their Friends of First Responders Day on Saturday at the Overland Park Fire Training Center, 12401 Hemlock St.
Event hours: Saturday: 1 to 3 p.m.