The 128th Johnson County Old Settlers festival returns this weekend to downtown Olathe and will kick off Thursday by honoring a 100-year-old Olathe resident and veteran.
Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly will present a proclamation recognizing Bill Garton during the festival’s opening ceremony at noon on Thursday.
The proclamation will recognize Garton’s 100th birthday, his time in the U.S. Army Air Forces veteran and his contributions to Olathe as a business owner and advocate for the deaf community.
Garton, who was named Citizen of the Year by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, will also serve as grand marshal of the Old Settlers parade on Saturday.
The annual festival runs Thursday through Saturday at Johnson County Square with carnival rides, live music, food vendors and what organizers say is the largest parade in Kansas.
Admission is free, but some rides and activities do cost money.
Here’s what to expect:
Things to do
Starting Thursday at noon, more than 150 arts, crafts, commercial and food vendors will be set up along Park and Cherry streets and the sidewalk surrounding Johnson County Square.
The carnival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Other activities include:
- A flower show at the Downtown Library on Friday from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- An ice cream social at 111 S. Cherry Street on Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- An auto show, featuring vintage and classic cars at the Mill Creek Learning Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Concerts
Country singer Phil Vassar is performing Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Chestnut Street Stage. Before his performance, hear music from Drew Six, the Zac Waterman Band, Kristy Wyatt & the Moxie and the Olathe Community Orchestra at the Johnson County Square Stage.
The Phil Collins Experience, a tribute show celebrating the music of Collins and Genesis will headline Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Chestnut Street Stage.
Other performers throughout the weekend include Frank Drummond, Carl and Vicki Worden, the Basement Boyz, Josephine Eve and the Olathe Civic and Jazz Bands.
All concerts are free.
Parade through Downtown
The Old Settlers parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The route starts at Kansas Avenue and Loula Street, going east to Water Street, north to Park Street and then east to Buchanan Street.
Side streets along the route will close at 8 a.m. for staging.
Parking
A free shuttle service will run between Olathe North High School at 600 E. Prairie Street and the festival.
The shuttles will operate between 4:30 and 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Visitors can take it from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
For a full schedule and more information, visit johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com.
