Old Buildings, New Attitudes

Archive for March, 2010

The Fifth Annual Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held Saturday, March 13, in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Over 60 floats and 800 people entered the parade. Despite the cold temperature and rain, many spectators watched along the parade route.

The theme for this year’s parade was “Show me your heritage – what’s in your Irish stew?” Entries interpreted the theme in various ways, including flying the flags of their ancestors, sharing favorite Irish music or showcasing traditional Irish dancers. In the end, seven awards were given out which included: St. Patrick’s Award (Best Irish Theme) – Doherty & Sullivan’s Irish Goods; Shamrock Award (Best Business Entry) – O’Riada Dance Academy; Best Float Award – Helms Grandkids & Family; Best Marching Unit – Lee’s Summit Community Christian School Cheer Squad; Best Musical Entry – KC Drum Tribe; Best Vehicle Award – KC Jeep Club; and Most Unique -Troy Lentz’ electrical vehicle. All winners were presented with trophies following the parade.

An Emerald Isle coloring contest was also held in conjunction with the parade. Lee’s Summit preschool and elementary school children were invited to get creative and color a picture of a leprechaun sliding down a rainbow into a pot of gold. After reviewing nearly 100 entries, judges picked the following winners: 1st Place – Kendra G.; 2nd Place – Hayden T.; 3rd Place – Anamaria S.; Pre-school -Clay H. All coloring contest winners received gift certificates to downtown businesses.

This year’s Grand Marshall was Kathy Smith, President of the Lee’s Summit Historical Society and Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission. Parade co-chairs included Chuck Denton of Doherty & Sullivan’s Irish Goods and Mary Pechar of Green Beauty Salon & Day Spa. Parade sponsors were Bank of Lee’s Summit and The Lee’s Summit Journal.

The Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Parade is presented by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Lee’s Summit. For more information, please visit www.downtownls.org or call 816-246-6598.

On Friday, March 12, 2010, Lee’s Summit businesses are asked to encourage employees to each give a suggested minimum donation of $5 to wear jeans and their favorite Big 12 team gear to work in support of Melodrama Madness. Not only will employees have the opportunity to dress down and support their favorite Big 12 team (during the Big 12 Tournament), but they will be supporting the “Home Team” community partners in their efforts to renovate the Arnold Hall Theater, future home of Martin City Melodrama.

Melodrama Madness is a community-wide fundraising initiative to support the Arnold Hall Theater Renovation. This initiative supports efforts to remodel and refurbish Arnold Hall into a comprehensive cultural and performing arts campus in Downtown Lee’s Summit. The city of Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission, Lee’s Summit Historical Society and the Lee’s Summit Municipal Building & Equipment Authority are the “Home Team” community partners working to make the Arnold Hall Theater Renovation a slam dunk success for the Lee’s Summit community.

Businesses can further participate by matching their employee’s donations. All donations are tax deductible with proceeds going to the Lee’s Summit Municipal Building & Equipment Authority, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization overseeing the renovation, management and ongoing operations of the Arnold Hall Theater. All businesses and individuals will be listed as supporters of the Arnold Hall Theater Renovation as the process continues to move through the approvals from city and state.

Melodrama Madness participation forms are available at the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, 220 SE Main Street, or online here. All forms and donations should be submitted to the Team Point Guard, the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, by Friday, March 19.

Just for fun, businesses, employees and individuals can also target their donations towards their favorite Big 12 Team. Wonder which Big 12 Team will have the most money donated?

Be a part of the Melodrama Madness! Join the Arnold Hall Theater Renovation Team Roster today!

For more information about the Arnold Hall Theater Renovation, visit www.arnoldhalltheater.com. For questions about Melodrama Madness, please contact the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce,
(816) 524-2424.