It’s back: Beloved Downtown Days shines light on Lee’s Summit with food, music, fun

About 90,000 people gathered in downtown Lee’s Summit last weekend to socialize and enjoy entertainment — and all the fun was for a good cause.

The annual Downtown Days festival included around 150 vendors, carnival rides, a sports zone, food, handcrafted goods, craft beer tents and a kid’s street. Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street hosted the first festival in 1989. Since then, the event has been a tradition beloved by residents and visitors. It was missed by many when organizers shuttered the event in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Proceeds from the event benefit Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the city’s downtown. The group plans events throughout the year. A crew of more than 200 volunteers, along with the Downtown Days Committee, helped plan and set up the festival, which was presented by Lee’s Summit Medical Center.

Volunteers were eager to give back to their community and create a memorable event.

Longtime Lee’s Summit resident Melissa Doyle said her first year as a Downtown Days volunteer was exciting.

“It does so much for the community,” Doyle said of the fest. “It’s great to be a part of something this big and this impactful, and that raises so much money to benefit the community as a whole.”

In addition to helping small businesses in downtown Lee’s Summit, the festival provides a homelike feel and brings the community together, Doyle said. People gather from Lee’s Summit and other suburbs to enjoy a day of fun with their family and friends, she said.

“I love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, and I love being part of the reason that they are smiling,” Doyle said. “I used to bring my kids here when they were young, so seeing the parents and their kids brings back good memories. Being on the other side of things as a volunteer makes my experience come full circle, which means a lot to me.”

Lee’s Summit resident Sarah Wesely has attended the festival since 2012, and brought her kids with her this year.

“I love how fun and convenient the festival is,” Wesley said. “It’s so easy to park, get around and enjoy all of the attractions. There’s also something for everyone — kids, adults, teenagers. Everyone can have a great time and choose how to spend their day.”