Lee’s Summit Harvest Festival draws people from all generations for music, food, fun

Live music set the tone for a festival where friends and family gathered to mark the beginning of fall in Lee’s Summit.

The annual Harvest Festival took place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday downtown. Shoppers enjoyed music while browsing fresh produce, handmade crafts and baked goods to kick off the fall farmer’s market season.

About 40 vendors offered a variety of local goods and services. Kids were entertained by balloon animals, pumpkin decorating and other festivities. Jenny Gale, assistant director of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, said the festival fosters community by allowing people to come together to shop and connect with one another.

“This event is a great way to kick off the fall season,” Gale said. “We love getting the community engaged and providing space for vendors to promote their businesses.”

Brianna Orr, owner of The Heirloom Farm, sold her home-grown produce at the festival for the fourth year. Orr, who grows her produce without chemicals and pesticides, enjoys conversing with her regular customers.

“It’s really fun, and everyone here offers something different,” Orr said. “I enjoy having regular customers who, even if they don’t always buy something, will stop by once a week to say ‘hi’ and catch up. It’s a really nice way to keep in touch with people you don’t normally see.”

Although the festival is a great place to shop and bond with friends and family, a key component is getting kids to come out, too, Gale said.

“Seeing how the kids light up when decorating pumpkins or getting their balloon animals brings a different element to the festival,” Gale said.

Katelyn McKinley from Lee’s Summit said she enjoys the festival because it has something for everyone. This year, she came with her husband, two children and her in-laws, and everyone was happy and entertained, she said.

“This is our second year here, and we’re trying to make it a family tradition,” McKinley said. “It’s great because there’s activities for everyone, and so many ways to make fun memories.”

The downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through Nov. 19. The location is at the corner of Second and Douglas streets in downtown Lee’s Summit.