Old Buildings, New Attitudes

The Downtown Days…Streets Alive! Festival is coming to Downtown Lee’s Summit on June 5, 6 and 7. This festival spans six city blocks and will make the Downtown come alive with activities for all ages.  Some festival highlights include two stages of entertainment, a carnival, the Downtown Lee’s Summit “Feel the Power” Bike Night presented by Gail’s Harley-Davidson and Wide Open Magazine, the Go Fast Jet Pack Man, handcrafted/commercial vendors, all your favorite food, and so much more. 

Festival hours are Friday, June 5^th from 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday, June 6^th from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sunday, June 7^th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The event is being presented by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street in partnership with Verizon Wireless, Central States Beverage Co, Go Fast, Cumulus Radio, Bank of Lee’s Summit, 24-Hour Fitness, and Jerry’s Bait Shop. The mission of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street is to promote downtown as the center of commerce, culture and community life for residents and visitors alike.

Below is a listing of some of the Streets Alive activities with dates and times:

All Three Days:
Carnival: Located by City Hall, 220 SE Green St.
Kids Street: Family-friendly activities and vendors. Located on Douglas Street (north of 3^rd Street).
Craft/Commercial/Food Vendors: Throughout Downtown.
Go Fast Display: Located on the west side of the railroad tracks, see individual dates for flight times.

Friday, June 5:

Pikin’ Likin’: Depot Stage at 7 p.m.

Blues Demons: Depot Stage at 9 p.m.

Downtown Lee’s Summit “Feel the Power” Bike Night presented by Gail’s Harley-Davidson and Wide Open Magazine: On the west side of the railroad tracks along SW Main, from 6 to 10 p.m. Ride in welcome to anyone!

Monsters of Mock (AC/DC & Guns n’ Roses Tribute Bands): KC/DC and Destructive Appetite on the Main Stage, 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Go Fast Jet Pack Man: Be amazed when you see a flying Jet Pack man soar into Downtown for a 30-second flight, 7:30 p.m. by the Main Stage. 

Saturday, June 6:

Pancake Breakfast:  By the Depot Stage, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Classic Car Show:  Located on SW Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring an exciting Poker Run with prizes, 50/50, give-aways, trophies, and more.

Fam Jam: Performances by local dance studios, Main Stage, 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The James Ward Band: Depot Stage, 12:00 pm.

Fashion Show: Depot Stage at 4:30 p.m.

VIBE’s Big Break: Performances from the top contestants from 95.7 the VIBE’s big break singing contest. Depot Stage at 5:00 pm.

Music of the Decades: Live music from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Show starts at 6 p.m. on the Main Stage.

Go Fast Jet Pack Man: Flight will be at 8:00 p.m. by the Main Stage.

Bluegrass Showcase with the Joe Credits: Depot Stage at 9:00 pm.

Jerry’s Jam Night All-Stars: Your favorite Kansas City band members rockin’ out together. Main Stage at 9:00 pm.

Sunday, June 7:

Farmers Market: Shop farm-fresh local produce. On SW Main Street from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

KC Sports Zone: All your favorite KC Sports Teams! On Third Street west of the railroad tracks from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Carnival Wrist Band Day:  For one low price, ride all the carnival rides your stomach can handle.  Offer valid only on Sunday; see carnival for details.

For more information, please visit www.leessummitdowntowndays.com. 

The Economic Restructuring Committee of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., will host a Downtown Loft Tour on Thursday, May 21^st.  Seven second-floor spaces will be showcased during the tour.

The evening will start at Got Art Gallery on Third (18 SW Third Street) at 6:00 pm.  Light food & drinks will be served, and guests will be treated to a special musical performance.  Two tour groups will begin at 6:30 pm. 

The purpose of the Downtown Loft Tour is to encourage investment in downtown Lee’s Summit.  While second floor spaces in historic buildings are often under-utilized, the spaces showcased on the tour are exemplary examples of how second floor spaces can be transformed into modern offices, office suites, and living spaces with character.

Spaces showcased during this year’s tour include Photomementos, a photography studio; Well Being/Tranquil Time Massage, massage therapy businesses; Commercial Hotel Office Suites, office suites with a common area; Hampton Court Design, a home décor retail and full service interior design business; candid marketing agency, a public relations and marketing firm; the FPC Office Suites, office suites with a common area; and the Vogue Condos, residential condominiums.

Advanced registration is requested.  A $10 donation is also requested and may be paid in advance or at the door.  Due to limited availability, please call 816-246-6598 or e-mail events@downtownls.org to reserve a spot on the tour.

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Lee’s Summit.  For more information, please visit www.downtownls.org or call 816-246-6598.

PRESS RELEASE

The Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, April 25^th at 7:00 am.  Located at the corner of 2^nd & Douglas, customers can shop local, farm-fresh produce until sell-out every Wednesday and Saturday from opening day until November 7^th.

The Farmers Market has been located downtown for over a decade.  Local farmers, growers and their products come from a 150-mile radius of the market.  Most vendors come from small farms or gardens, including local Lee’s Summit vendors, but also travel from Adrian, Butler, Centerview, Garden City, Grain Valley, Osceola, and many other towns in Missouri and Kansas.  Vendors sell a variety of produce, plants and hand-crafted items, including berries, peppers, flowers, herbs, spices, eggs, jams/jellies, bread, honey, and hand-crafted jewelry, candles and soaps.  Summer favorites include peaches and corn.

The Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market is a member of the Missouri Farmers Market Association and AgriMissouri.  It is managed by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Lee’s Summit.  A volunteer committee of farmers and growers work year-round towards creating a quality, community-oriented market. 

For more information about the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market, please visit www.downtownls.org or call 816.246.6598.

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., holds FREE Friday Night Music in Howard Station Park from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  This year’s sponsor of the Downtown Summer Concerts is Bank of Lee’s Summit.

DLSMS is now seeking talented musicians who would like to volunteer their time to provide free, family-friendly entertainment on Friday evenings.  Below is a general schedule:

Every Friday from Memorial Day Weekend (May 22nd) until Labor Day Weekend (September 4th).

First Band: 6:30 PM

Second Band: 8:30 PM

If you or someone you know would be interested in playing, please have them contact Stacy Brandt at events@downtownls.org or 816.246.6598.  You may also send press packets or demos to that e-mail address or PO Box 1688 Lee’s Summit, MO  64063. 

Hop to Downtown Lee’s Summit for the annual Bunny Hop!

Line-up starts at 9:45 am at City Hall Plaza (22o SE Green Street).  Kids can bring decorated baskets that will be judged while they wait for an appearance by the Bunny!

At 10:00 am the Bunny will lead the kids and their families up Third Street to Howard Station Park.  Bring your cameras so you can take pics with the Bunny!  Afterwards HOP to participating stores for free candy!

Celebrate Earth Month at these GREEN events in Downtown Lee’s Summit!

Greenfest 2009

Join Green Beauty Salon & Day Spa in helping the Clean Water Fund.  On Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 pm gather on Green Beauty’s back deck for Greenfest 2009.  This “green” cocktail party will feature organic food and wine, plus entertainment and merriment.  Tickets are $20 at the door and all proceeds benefit the Clean Water Fund.

Third Thursday Art Walk

Thursday, April 16th from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Third Thursday participating stores will go green with their “Greenfest” theme.  Enjoy local art, food, and spirits.  What artists will you see at Third Thursday? Here’s a sampling:

• TYPOGRFX by Tosha Jackson will be featured at Cameron’s Home Furnishings.  Tosha will debut a limited edition “Earth” print, and will be taking special orders as well.  See samples here.
• Blue Heron will feature local jewelry designer “Scarlet Garnet” Garnet Baker; Kara Taylor, Environmental Coordinator for the City of Lees Summit; 5 green things table from Bridging the Gap; and as always pizza from Jerry’s Bait Shop & wine tasting by Gomer’s liquor.
• Artist Heather Humston will teach customers how to take used cards and create gift tags that look like works of art at Henry’s Antiques.  All attendees that evening will be entered in a drawing for a free dessert from the Henry’s Tea Room cook.
  

Recycle Downtown

Join the City of Lee’s Summit on Earth Day to celebrate the 10 new recycling bins being placed in Downtown Lee’s Summit.  The City will kick-off downtown recycling efforts with a short program on Wednesday, April 22nd at 11:00 am across from City Hall on 3rd Street.

Please join FPC Development and Construction to celebrate Arts in the Heart, where the arts and economic development come alive in Downtown Lee’s Summit.

What:             Special Dedication Ceremony: “Kids at Heart”

sculpture by world-renowned artist Kwan Wu

When:            Wednesday, April 1st at 1:45 p.m.

Where:           Hartley Plaza; Corner of 3rd and Douglas Street in

Downtown Lee’s Summit

The dedication ceremony is open to the public, so invite your colleagues, friends, family and neighbors.

The Downtown Days… Streets Alive! committee has extended the deadline for vendor applications! We are still accepting arts & craft, commercial, and food vendors. For more information or to apply to be a vendor, please visit our website www.LeesSummitDowntownDays.com or call (816) 246-6598.

The festival takes place June 5, 6, & 7, 2009, and consists of two stages of live entertainment, a carnival, a Car Show, the Go Fast Jet Pack Man, and much more!

Downtown Days is being presented by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street in partnership with the Bank of Lee’s Summit.  The mission of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street is to promote downtown as the center of commerce, culture, and community life for residents and visitors alike.  For more information about DLSMS, please visit www.downtownls.org.

Spring won’t wait, why should you? The Downtown Lee’s Summit shops have all that’s new!  Come downtown this weekend to see all the new spring merchandise businesses have to offer.  You’re certain to find something that will brighten your day!  It’s also your last chance to get a FREE wildflower seed packet.

The Emerald Isle Parade committee came up with a really fun way to get kids more involved in the parade this year.  They sent backpack flyers advertising the parade out to all of the elementary schools in Lee’s Summit - the kids then took the flyers home with them.   The flyers included a drawing of a leprechaun and kids were asked to enter a coloring contest.  All they had to do was color in the leprechaun and submit the flyer to the DLSMS office.  Well for the first ever St. Pat’s coloring contest, we had a HUGE response!  Well over 100 kids entered and they were all SO creative is was very difficult to pick the winners!  But here are our 3 big winners for this year’s coloring contest:

1st Prize: Hayden

The judges loved how Hayden used glitter to make hers extra sparkly!

Congratulations, Hayden!

 2nd Prize: Aaron

The judges loved the beautiful background Aaron created.

Congratulations, Aaron!

3rd Prize: Anamaria

The judges loved Anamaria’s striped leprechaun and happy ladybugs and butterflies.

Congratulations, Anamaria!

All three winners won gift certificates to Downtown Lee’s Summit shops.  Thank you to all of the kids that submitted entries for the coloring contest!  You’re all so talented!  Be looking for the St. Pat’s coloring contest again next year!