Spinach Festival

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

All-day activities

• Art and craft vendors
• Food court
• Live music
  9 a.m.: Joy Zimmerman
  10:45 a.m.: Chill Phil Steel Drums
  12:30 p.m.: Tre' Mutava
  2:15 p.m.: Dave Panico Soaring Sax

Swee'Pea children’s and family activities

• 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Cane pole fishing, pedal boat rides
• 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Craft activity, inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, Hi-Striker, pedicab rides
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Goats on the Go meet & greet
• 10–10:45 a.m.: Mr. Stinky Feet
• 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

• 9:30 a.m.: Spinach cooking demonstration presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (Lion's Shelter)
• 10 a.m.: World’s Largest Spinach Salad served (Lenexa Historical Society at Food Court)
• 10 a.m. Spinach cooking demonstration presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (Lion's Shelter)
• 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Popeye & Olive Oyl (various locations throughout event) 
• 10:30 a.m.: Spinach cooking demonstration presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (Lion's Shelter)
• 10:30–10:50 a.m.: History Talk (125th Shelter)
• 11 a.m.: Spinach cooking demonstration presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (Lion's Shelter)
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (or while supplies last): Spinach Dip Showdown - dip tasting and voting (Grand Pavilion)
• 11:30–11:50 a.m.: History Talk (125th Shelter)
• 12:30–12:50 p.m.: History Talk (125th Shelter)
• Noon–1 p.m.: Spinach Recipe Contest entries due (Lions Memorial Shelter)
•  1:30 p.m.: Spinach Recipe Contest judging (Lions Memorial Shelter; free samples available after awards announced, approximately 3:30 p.m.)

Alarid, E: Hand-painted tea towels

Almaraz, Rosa: Macrame bracelets, wired wrapped rings, earrings

Arnold, Curtis: Cutting boards, charcuterie and pastry boards, hand-crafted from solid surface (Corian) materials

Barlow, Terry: Wreaths and gnomes

Barnett, Brinda: Crocheted items, wreaths 

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

Bennett, Amy: Wire work jewelry

Bennison, Laura & Brooke: Slime

Blume, Beth: Wood cut laser engraved hand-painted door signs and other various lasered items

Borgstrom, Amanda: Handmade canvas, bookmark and diamond dot painting kits

Boyer, Jeanne: Wrapped rope bowls, coasters, homemade pot holders, jar grippers, peeper keepers

Burgess, Noreen: Hand-painted rocks and pavers, cork Christmas trees, plant markers

Burns, Rhonda: Quilted large and small quilts, runners, wall hangings, placemats and potholders

Cheuvront, Tracey: Wooden kitchen utensils, bowls, art

Coyan, Kris: Wood turning items 

Coyan, Lisa: Jewelry

DeNoon, Diane: Handmade wreaths, lantern and door swags, floral arrangements 

Echeandia, Agustin: Decorative and functional pottery including mugs, plates, bowls, wall and table decor 

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

Ferguson, Gary: Soy wax candles in unique mugs, handmade soaps and other bath products

Ferguson, Robin: Alcohol ink paintings and jewelry  

Good, Christel: Home decor, handmade candles, signs

Green, Kathy: Handmade jewelry

Griffin, Shelley: Laser cut wood art

Hall, Aidan: Super-soft apparel inspired by Kansas City, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, stickers

Hansen, Kara: Ceramics switch plates and other items

Hedrick, Nathan: Handmade metal garden art

Heller, Cindy: Photography, handmade notecards, photo blocks, framed photographs and matted prints in various sizes

Herr, Dia: Table cloths, stuffed animals, handbags

Hoober-Brukhardt, Samantha: Baked goods including cookies, breads, Danishes, candied nuts, jams

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

Jorgensen, Sally: Handmade fall and Christmas/winter decor, made primarily from wood, fabric and natural items

Karnes, Arby: Hand-painted rocks, figurines, canvas, wearables, tumblers, hand-tufted rugs

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

Keenan, Olivia: Women's garments and goods, upcycled from vintage quilts

Kelly, Maureen: Freeze-dried candy

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

Knabe, Jamie: Farm-raised beef snack sticks, handcrafted cutting boards, handcrafted aprons

Kozak, Joana: Small, nature-inspired crafts including jewelry, bookmarks, keychains, and embroidery hoops

Kulphongpatana, Jackie: Stained glass

Larson, Patti: Hand-carved basswood tile jewelry and decor

Lee, Bernadette: Prints and originals of my artwork of iconic Kansas City landmarks

McCoy, Heather: Soap, lotion, lotion bars, sugar scrub, T-shirts, onesies, wristlet/key fobs, hanging dish towels

McElroy, Leslie: Watercolor art paintings, prints, greeting cars, pins and stickers 

Melchiorre, Katherine: Seasonal cookies and baked goods  

Nachlinger, Denna: Handmade pottery

Nedrow, Adrien: Bracelets, earrings, rosaries, necklaces, keychains, croc charms 

Redmund, Diana: Hand-printed and sewn pillows and tea towels with a Kansas City theme

Robb, Kirsten: Cute, creepy, curious aspects of life - items created by Rootcat

Robson, Lindsey: Art prints, stickers, greeting cards, temporary tattoos, T-shirts

Root, Judy: Rock art

Schmidt, Kathy: Quilts, blankets, baskets, refinished furniture, glassware

Scott, Helen: Antiques & Collectables

Smith, Carissa: Candles, wax melts, car air fresheners, incense, macrame, room spray, soap, lotion bars

Snelgrove, Kathy: Knitted hats and gloves, useful fabric items, paper mache seasonal Items

Swafford, Vivian: Specialty designs of traditional Japanese, Taiwanese styles, all cotton handmade handbags and cloth

Szippl, Christine: Hats, T-shirts, fabric tote bags

Tomasich, Jane: Handmade fabric gift bags complete with a fabric liner

Townsend, Tina: Lase engraving home decor, 3D printing embroidery work

Travis, Cheryl: Fabric wrapped bowls

Ulmer, Kass: Fiber arts, painting and jewelry

Vanbuskirk, Shelby: Handmade ceramics

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

Watson, Chuck: Fused glass and glass jewelry

Westberg, Christine: Gemstone jewelry, sassy embroidered towels, hand-wired rosaries

White, Kathy: Shirts, hats, aprons, baby items

Wilber, Michelle: Beaded entertainment pieces, hand-made Chiefs/Royals jewelry

Wilhelm, Heather: Handmade clay jewelry and decor

Willnauer, Brittani: Graphic tees, laser engraved drinkware, hats

Willnauer, Kohl: Freeze-dried candy

Wooden, Christine: Bath Bombs, 3D printed creatures

Youngblood, Hillary: Handmade spoon jewelry

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, 170KB)

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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 may sample the dips and vote for their favorite from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or while supplies last)

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

This year's participants include:

• Blue Moose Lenexa
• Johnson County K-State Research and Extension 
• Lenexa Parks & Recreation
• Lenexa Farmers Market
• Silo Modern Farmhouse

Lenexa Historical Society: Wimpy Burgers, spinach salad, spinach balls, spinach dip, spinach apple cupcakes, bottled water, soda

K & C Concessions: Walking taco salad, Polish, Italian & Andouille sausage, Philly cheese steak sandwich, nachos, hot dogs, Bavarian pretzel, chocolate covered frozen cheesecake, lemonade, limeade, tea and water

The Good Lemon Drink Co.: Hand-pressed lemonade, sweet & unsweet teas, fruit-infused waters, specialty spinach lemonade

KC Treat Truck: Funnel cakes, hot dogs, brats, chips, pulled pork, turkey legs, pretzels, lemonade

One More Scoop: Ice cream, soda, water

Brew Haha Coffeehouse: Coffee, tea, smoothies, various pastries (some with spinach)

KC Kona Ice: Shaved ice, water

Brain Freeze: Frozen cocktails and mocktails

Echo City Concessions: Kettle corn, cotton candy

Joe's Little Nut Co.: Cinnamon roasted almonds  with spinach, pecans, peanuts and cashews, smoked almonds, hot and spicy peanuts, salted cashews, bottled soda, water

Eat Schmidt: Spinach artichoke dip, million dollar tater tots, sandwiches, smoked brisket pita, chicken fingers, kid-sized hot dog, cinnamon sugar donut holes

Attendees and exhibitors

The Lenexa Spinach Festival attracts approximately 7,000 people and about 70 art, craft and antique vendors.

Parking

On site parking is limited. Free satellite parking is available at the Lenexa Place Business Park located at the 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. Limited handicapped parking is available in the Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center lot, 8801 Greenway Ln.

Pets

We prefer that pets stay home. If you choose to bring a dog, they must walk at your side on a short leash, remain relaxed, and show obedience. Pet owners also need to pick up after their pet.

Wheels and motorized vehicles

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.