May 28, 2022
Start your summer with the free Downtown Days Festival, presented by Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Friday through Sunday, June 3, 4 and 5. Festivities include free live entertainment, carnival rides, sports booth, festival food, handcrafted goods, two craft beer tents and so much more.
FESTIVAL HOURS
Friday, June 3: 12pm-10pm
Saturday, June 4: 10am-10pm
Sunday, June 5: 11am-4pm
Over 200 volunteers bring Lee’s Summit’s largest event to life each summer to support Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Lee’s Summit.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
Festival-goers can’t miss the Ferris wheel, marking the entrance to the carnival on the west side of the tracks. Sunday, June 5th is wristband day, where individuals can purchase a wristband and ride unlimited carnival rides. On Friday and Saturday, tickets are sold at the carnival entrance and can be redeemed to ride individual rides. Visit with local legends and mascots at the Sports Booth on SE Main Street, sponsored by Cory Harmer, Keller Williams Realtor. Kids’ Street will have games, face painting, food, and plenty of family-friendly activities. On the south end of Douglas Street, families can climb inside a 60’ long military helicopter located across from the VFW.
FREE LIVE MUSIC
The Main Stage, sponsored by Aristocrat Motors, will feature free live entertainment all weekend long. Back Alley Brass Band will kick off the festival on Friday night with a 9-piece brass ensemble at 6 p.m. Friday’s headliner features edgy indie rock band, Katy Guillen & The Drive. With Guillen on guitar and vocals and Stephanie Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls a blend of artists like Led Zeppelin, Patty Griffin, and Heartless Bastards. Landslide: a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac will headline the festival on Saturday, June 4th. The band sure knows how to draw a crowd, after selling out Kansas City’s largest amphitheater every summer. Get to the stage early Saturday night to catch openers, The Kay Brothers. Hailing from the Ozarks, the old fashioned country blues band features virtuoso Pat Kay on drums, vocals, banjo, and harmonica (simultaneously) and promises a foot-stomping good time. All performances are free to attend. Visit downtowndays.org for the full entertainment schedule.
BEER TENTS
Downtown Days will feature two beer tents on the festival grounds: one located next to the Main Stage, and one at the corner of 3rd and Douglas streets. Embrace the Grape will serve cold cocktails and wine near the Main Stage. Fan-favorite beer options will include Boulevard Wheat, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Coors Lite, Boulevard Space Camper and the Martin City Hardaway IPA. It’s prime time for a summer seltzer, and Boulevard’s new Strawberry Lemon Basil Quirk and the Wild Berry hard seltzer from Truly are sure to make a splash. Keep your drink cool with a koozie courtesy of Dog Training Elite.
PARKING
Guests to the Downtown Days Festival can park in the free City Hall parking garage at the corner of 2nd and Green streets, and any open public parking lots in around the perimeter of the festival.
In addition to all the great booths, vendors, and live entertainment, the Downtown Lee’s Summit shops and restaurants will also be open throughout the weekend. Locally owned shops and welcoming community events are one of the many reasons the National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized Downtown Lee’s Summit as a Great American Main Street.
DOWNTOWN DAYS SPONSORS
The festival would not be possible without the support of local business partners who sponsor the event. This year’s festival is presented by Lee’s Summit Medical Center and sponsored by Abundant Life Church, Aristocrat Motors, Central States Beverage Company, Cornerstone Dermatology & Surgery Group, Cory Harmer Keller Williams Realtor, Cynda Sells Real Estate, Dog Training Elite, Freestyle Graphics, and Security Bank of Kansas City.
