Celebrate Veterans Day & do yoga with puppies: Things to do in Johnson County

You can join yoga with puppies, celebrate Veterans Day, watercolor a holiday scene or learn self-defense at upcoming events in Johnson County.

Get the rundown below of more fall things to do throughout suburban Kansas City.

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.

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Celebrate Veterans Day

Honor local veterans at the Veterans Appreciation Program, sponsored by USD 231 and the city of Gardner at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Gardner Edgerton High School, 425 Waverly Road.

Welcome a new elementary school

Attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a new elementary school and service center at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, south of Pioneer Ridge Middle School, at 16200 S Kill Creek Road in Gardner. The festivities will continue at 10:45 a.m. at the corner of Warren and Poplar streets.

Give input on Leawood’s future

The city will host a public open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, about its plans on future land use, housing, transportation, parks and public spaces at the Lodge at Ironwoods, 14701 Mission Road. As part of the ongoing update to Leawood’s Comprehensive Plan, Leawood Rooted & Reaching, the city will offer a chance for community members to review and respond to early planning and design concepts.

Recycle your pumpkins

You can drop off pumpkins for recycling through Sunday, Nov. 30, at Little Mill Creek Park, 79th and Cottonwood streets in Lenexa. There are marked dumpsters in the parking lot.

Listen to Latin music

City Center Live will feature Ensemble Ibérica at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Community Forum, Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway. Ensemble Ibérica is known for its vibrant exploration of the music of Spain, Portugal and Latin America.

Do yoga with puppies

Melissa’s Second Chances Animal Rescue will host puppy yoga from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater. It costs $25, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the animal rescue.

Learn self-defense

Registration is open for a Women’s Situational Awareness and Self Defense class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St.. Learn essential survival skills at the hands-on workshop hosted by the Merriam Police Department. It’s free, but registration is required.

Read through a park

Walk and Read around Water Works Park in Mission, 53rd and Woodson, Saturday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 16. An immersive experience in conjunction with the Johnson County Library, you can learn about Ruby Bridges while strolling through the park.

Drop off hazardous waste

There’s a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1420 S. Robinson Drive in Olathe. No appointment is needed.

See a helicopter display

Check out a Veterans Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Black & Veatch World Headquarters, 11401 Lamar Ave. in Overland Park. There will be a military helicopter and vehicle display, and information from veteran support organizations.

Eat breakfast with veterans

The annual Veterans Breakfast will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Matt Ross Community Center in Overland Park, 8101 Marty. There will be a pancake and sausage breakfast from Chris Cakes and a patriotic program. It’s free for veterans and $9 for non-veterans.

Watercolor a holiday scene

Join a handmade holiday watercolor workshop with local artist Sarah Ruth Frey from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Environmental Education Center at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St. Learn seasonal watercolor designs to display in brass floating frame ornaments, including poinsettias, holly leaves, and mistletoe. It costs $60, and no experience is necessary. All materials are provided, along with light refreshments.

Donate canned goods

The Shawnee Fire Department and Shawnee Police Department are hosting food drives on Saturday, Nov. 8. Bring canned goods to help Shawnee Community Services from 8 a.m. to noon at Fire Station 71, 6501 Quivira Road, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cosentino’s Price Chopper, 22210 W 66th St.

This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 5:30 AM.