200 volunteers help it happen: Here’s what you’ll find at the beloved Downtown Days

Lee’s Summit’s long-running summer festival is returning this year, complete with carnival rides, craft and vendor booths, live entertainment, a sports zone, beer tents, and a wide variety of food options. Downtown Days, scheduled for Friday through Sunday in the city’s historic downtown, is the major fundraiser for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street.

The three-day event dates back to 1989, said Rachael Fitch, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street creative content and design coordinator.

“The festival began as Old Tyme Days with the goal to help fund the downtown revitalization efforts being led by the newly formed nonprofit organization, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Inc.,” she said.

Downtown Days, attended by around 90,000 people annually, continues to support the community’s vibrant downtown.

“Every dollar raised by Downtown Days goes back into downtown, helping to support the efforts of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street and the work we do throughout the year,” Fitch said. “Many of the free family-friendly events that we host the rest of the year would not be possible without Downtown Days.”

Those events include the Saturday and Wednesday Farmers Market, Music in the Park, Fourth Friday Art Walk, Mayor’s Tree Lighting and Small Business Saturday.

The festival hours are noon to 10 p.m. June 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 3 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 4. Live entertainment will be offered throughout the event including a Storybook Theatre and performances by Heart of America Dance Center and Summit Theatre Group.

Musical groups scheduled for June 2 are Boogie Nights disco band at 6 p.m. and Six Percent, punk rock/pop punk, at 8:30 p.m. The entertainment lineup for June 3 includes Alex Sons — mixing pop, folk and soul — at 3:30 p.m.; Back Alley Brass Band, a New Orlean’s style group, at 6 p.m.; and Petty Thieves, a Tom Petty tribute band, at 8:30 p.m.

Downtown Days is well known for its traditional festival food with newer options also available.

“We are excited about the variety of food offerings this year,” Fitch said. “From the classic corn dogs and funnel cakes to street tacos, pineapple drinks and crab rangoon as big as your hand — there are so many options to choose from.”

Attending Downtown Days is a family tradition for many Lee’s Summit community members, Fitch said.

“We look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the rides, food, entertainment and vendor booth offerings and we can’t think of a better way to kick off the summer season,” she said.

The community festival is organized and managed by the Downtown Days Committee as well as a crew of more than 200 volunteers. This year’s event is presented by Lee’s Summit Medical Center.

“This event would not be possible without the volunteers from our incredible community,” Fitch said. “From vendor check-in, keeping the festival grounds free of trash, working the beer tents and everything in between, we would not be able to provide such a great festival experience without them.”

Go here for more information on schedules and volunteer opportunities.