Spinach Festival

We are looking for art, fine craft and antique vendors to participate in the Lenexa Spinach Festival. This popular community event draws about 7,000 people each year for a fun day of shopping and family friendly activities.

How to apply

We accept only vendors who sell handmade fine crafts, art and primitive/vintage antiques — no manufactured or kit items are allowed.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 2 or until booth spots are filled. First round of jury reviews will take place the week of May 13, and artists will be notified before Memorial Day.

Apply online

Applicants should submit at least three photos — one showing your booth display and two showing handcrafted items you will offer in your booth. Email your photos to sneely@lenexa.com with “Spinach Festival” in the subject line and your name in the message.

Fee

• April 1–June 30, 2024: $75 per booth space
• July 1–Aug. 2, 2024: $95 per booth space

We process your booth payment when we receive it. If you are not selected to be part of the Spinach Festival, we will issue you a refund.

Booth details

Booth spaces are approximately 10 feet by 10 feet. Most spaces are located on paved surface (a few spaces will be on grass).

• You must provide your own tent, tables and chairs.
• We do not have an inclement weather date for the event. The event will be held if there is rain; however, we will cancel the event if necessary for safety.
• You will be expected to keep your booth open for the duration of the event.

Benefits

• Pleasant outdoor setting.
• Drive-up access to booths for unloading the evening before and early in the morning prior to the event opening.
• One free exhibitor VIP parking pass per booth.
• Interactive map showing vendor locations on city’s website.
• Police security in park the night before event.
• Event promotion.
• Exhibitor welcome bag.

This section will be updated as details are confirmed. Please check back.

All-day activities

• Art and craft vendors
• Food court
• Live music

Swee'Pea children’s activities

• 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Craft activity, inflatables, pedicab rides (pending volunteer driver availability)
• 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Face painting, balloon twisting
• 11:15 a.m.: Swee'Pea Baby Crawling Contest (check-in at 10:45 a.m.; crawling babies only)
• 2 p.m.: Rock skipping contest

Special activities

• 10 a.m.: World’s Largest Spinach Salad served (Lenexa Historical Society at Food Court)
• 10:30–10:50 a.m.: History Talk presented by Lenexa Historical Society
• 11:30–11:50 a.m.: History Talk presented by Lenexa Historical Society
• 12:30–12:50 p.m.: History Talk presented by Lenexa Historical Society
• Noon–1 p.m.: Spinach Recipe Contest entries due (Lions Memorial Shelter)
•  1:30 p.m.: Spinach Recipe Contest judging (Lions Memorial Shelter; samples available after 3 p.m.)

We invite you to show off your culinary talents in the Spinach Recipe Contest. Our judges will award cash prizes for the tastiest spinach treats in four categories:

• Appetizer
• Salad
• Entrée
• Dessert

How to enter

Prepare your best spinach recipe and turn it in at the Lion's Shelter at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park between noon and 1 p.m. on the day of the festival. Please plan enough time for parking and to arrive at the turn-in location. Be sure to bring:

• Your fully prepared spinach item
• Copy of your recipe
• Spinach Recipe Contest application form(PDF, 342KB)

Judging

Judging begins at 1:30 p.m. We will announce winners at the event once judging is complete.

The top winner in each of the four categories will be awarded $100.

You can sample others’ entries following judging.

Local restaurants and food establishments are invited to provide a spinach dip for the event.

Festival patrons will sample the dips and vote for their favorite.

A winner will be chosen for the Cold Spinach Dip and Hot Spinach Dip categories. Winners receive a green ribbon.

How many exhibitors participate?

We anticipate having more than craft exhibitors at the Spinach Festival.

Where should I park?

Parking at the event site is limited. Free satellite parking is available at:

• Lenexa Place Business Park, southeast corner of 95th Street and Lackman Road.
• Free shuttles run from this lot approximately every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where is handicap-accessible parking?

Our shuttles are handicap-accessible. Limited additional handicapped parking is available in the Foundry Church parking lot on Lackman Road, south of 87th Street Parkway.

Are dogs allowed?

We prefer that dogs be left at home, but if you choose to bring a dog, please be sure to pick up after your dog, and that your dog can follow general event etiquette: 

• Walk at your side on a short leash.
• Exhibit self-control and remain relaxed.
• Show manners and obedience.

Can I ride my bike, bring my skateboard or other motorized vehicle?

Bikes, skateboards and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the event. Exceptions are wheelchairs or other devices needed by people with disabilities.

Alarid, E: Handpainted tea towels, glassware, paper crafts

Almaraz, Rosa: Jewelry

Art From Architecture (Bernie Lee): Prints and originals of KC artwork

Barlow, Terry: Wreaths and gnomes

Barnett, Brinda: Crocheted items (comfort dolls, holiday items), wreaths

Bauer, Karla: Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission touring artist selling her children's bedtime book and wall art

Bengimina, Barb: Mounted and framed ethically sourced bugs and butterflies

Bennison, Laura & Brooke: Slime

Brooks, Carl: Wood turning

Burgess, Noreen: Hand-painted rocks and pavers

Camarin, Monica: Painted art

Carter, Kelly: Absorb Him Art (modern collagraph watercolor scripture wall-hanging art)

Cheuvront, Tracey: Wooden kitchen utensils, bowls, art

Coglan, Samantha: Vinyl custom T-shirts/apparel, drinkware, home decor and jewelry

Coyan, Lisa: Jewelry

DeNoon, Diane: Handmade wreaths, swags, bows, floral arrangements

Dolphin, Hannah: Handmade jewelry and small items using pressed flowers and resin

Echeandia, Agustin: Decorative and functional pottery 

Elkhal, Joe: Hand-crafted gourmet jerky, pre-packaged and sealed for take-home consumption

Erny, Linda: Walkable baked goods: cupcakes, cookies, mini cakes, chocolate-covered pretzels and Oreos, natural dog treats

Fallek, Karen: Jewelry

Ferguson, Gary: Soy wax candles in unique mugs, handmade soaps, bath bombs, beard balm, shampoo and conditioner bars

Ferguson, Robin: Alcohol ink painted tiles and necklaces 

Gilges, Megan: Apparel, tumblers, hats, jewelry and accessories

Good, Christel: Seasonal decor and humorous items, hand-poured candles, kitchen towels

Green, Kathy: Hand-crafted jewelry - chain maille, crystals, gem stone and glass

Griffin, Shelley: Laser cut and handmade wood crafts

Hall, Aidan: KC apparel including T-shirts, long-sleeves, sweatshirts, hats, and stickers

Hanks, David: Wooden bird houses

Hedrick, Nathan & Cary: Handmade metal garden art

Herr, Dia: Stuffed animals, handbags

Hickam, Kelly: Children's and adult jewelry. Disney & holiday inspired. Bookmarks, keychains

Hoover, Charmaine: Hairbows, princess sets, ponytail holders, tutus, princess wands

Horner, Ruby: Epoxy tumblers, engraved cutting boards and small resin gifts

Karnes, Arby: Hand-painted rocks, gifts

Katcher, Sandi: Handmade, homemade doll clothes for American Girl-style and other dolls

Klein, Kathy: Hot pads, oven mitts, hand towels, bag holders, potato bags, burp cloths, doll outfits

Lambert, Connor: Photography

Larson, Patti: Hand-carved basswood tile jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings

Mahoney, Lee Ann: Handmade T-shirts, hats, scrunchies, beanies, coffee mugs.

McCoy, Heather: Soap, lotion, lotion bars, T-shirts, onesies, mugs, crochet hanging dish towels

McNichols, Jennifer: Purses, bags and accessories

Melchiorre, Katherine: Seasonal decorated cookies and baked goods 

Metcalfe, Wayne: Cutting boards, charcuterie boards, golf club bottle openers, beverage smokers, coasters

Nachlinger, Denna: Handmade pottery

Orozco, Sarah: Graphic tees 

Paralkar, Kristen: Handmade clothing and accessories

Proctor, Deborah: Clothing

Proctor, Kimberly: Sweatshirts, Halloween and Christmas

Quint, Marcee: Women's & men's mittens made of recycled fine wools & synthetics, lined with new faux sherpa - S,M,L

Robson, Lindsey: Art prints, cards, stickers, mugs, and shirts of my original art 

Romano, Betty: Embellished notebooks, decorative pens, fan vases, greeting cards, wall decor

Root, Judy: Watercolor, photos, pebble art

Rueschhoff, Denise: Crafts and antiques

Schmidt, Kathy: Quilts, pillow cases & other sewing projects

Scott, Helen: Antiques & Collectables

Shara, Ashley: Handcrafted rhinestone hats & clothing (beanies, baseball, shirts) KC local sports teams

Smith, Carissa: Handmade candles, wax melts, and macrame pieces

Snelgrove, Kathy: Knitted Accessories, paper mache seasonal Items

Stark, Jessica: Pottery

Szippl, Christine: Independent designer with chalk couture selling hand-inked caps and small artwork

Travis, Cheryl: Fabric wrapped bowls, microwave cozies, table runners, etc.

Viall, Kristin: Modern and vintage farmhouse-style holiday, mountain, coffee, and KC-themed

Wagler, Logan: Handcrafted birdhouses

Watson, Chuck: Fused glass and glass jewelry

Weber, DeAnn: Laser-engraved cups and keychains and coasters

Westberg, Christine: Gemstone jewelry, sassy embroidered towels

White, Kathy: Sweatshirts, hats, scrunchies, baby burp pads, blankets, aprons, towels

Wilber, Michelle: Beaded entertainment pieces, gifts

Willnauer, Brittani: Handmade graphic tees and sweatshirts, laser engraved drinkware, hats, stickers

Willnauer, Kohl: Freeze dried candy

Wooden, Christine: Bath Bombs

Younglove, Whitney: Expoxy and sublimation stainless steel tumblers