Saturday afternoon brought sunshine and celebration to Roeland Park as the city marked its 75th anniversary with RoeFest. The festival filled the Price Chopper parking lot at 4950 Roe Blvd. with carnival games, a craft fair, live music, food trucks and a host of family‑oriented activities.
Local entrepreneurs showcase their wares
Long‑time resident Katie Chaffee‑McClure opened her first craft‑fair booth alongside business partner Jill Clements. “It seemed doable. I like sewing, and I wanted to have a reason to try some things,” Chaffee‑McClure said, noting the event’s role in helping small creators reach new customers.
Attendee Lindsay Walther echoed that sentiment, adding, “Any type of situation where I get to support local businesses — I’m there.”
Family fun and community spirit
Members of the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee enjoyed the festivities with their families. Kourtney Leibman tried the ring‑toss with her four‑year‑old son, Oliver, noting, “It’s really family‑oriented, which I like.” Fourteen‑year‑old Chakra Nelson got her face painted and said, “I like how you can do a lot of activities and have fun.”
After weeks of rain, the weather cleared just in time. Neighboring Fairway resident James Engelhardt, who attended with his granddaughter, called it “a nice day. It’s a beautiful time to have a little carnival.”
Library brings storytime to the streets
The Johnson County Library set up a storytime corner for children and parents. Program specialist Lisa Nason explained the library’s goal: “We just really try to meet people where they are. We’re trying to do more things on Saturdays to accommodate people who are working and can’t come during the week.”
Volunteers keep the event running
Volunteer Haile Sims, another member of the diversity committee, said his participation was a way to give back. “I’ve lived in Roeland Park for 10 years. I just really like this community and wanted this event to be successful,” he said.
RoeFest highlighted the strong sense of community that has defined Roeland Park for three‑quarters of a century. With local businesses, families, and volunteers coming together, the celebration underscored the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, family‑focused environment for years to come.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
