Mark your calendars; Your OP event guide for October

Fill your schedule with exciting events happening in Overland Park! From family fun and creative workshops to Governing Body and committee meetings, the City’s event calendar is packed with endless opportunities to get involved in your community and make memories with friends and family:

Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hop aboard a horse-drawn hayride to Pumpkin Hollow, climb a hay pyramid, slide down the giant hay slide, play lawn games, and choose the perfect pumpkin to take home. Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is open every day in October. Learn more on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website.

Farmers’ Markets – 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (8 a.m.-noon beginning Oct. 7)

Spend Saturday and Wednesday mornings browsing aisles of fresh produce, meats, cheeses and specialty products at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market. Beginning October 7, the Farmers’ Market operates fall hours from 8 a.m. to noon.

Art at the Center

Join us for the Stems Plein Air exhibit featuring paintings of beautiful landscapes created in the open air throughout the Kansas City area. View this gallery now through October 3 any time Tomahawk Ridge Community Center is open. View a new exhibit featuring artwork created by Johnson County Community College Fine Art and Design students in October and November. 

Sunday, October 1
Discovery Kits at the Gardens – All Day

Every month the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens welcomes you to visit and learn. The education team assembles a monthly kit for your family to enjoy nature, learn about the season and be creative. Stop at the ticketing kiosk and ask for a kit on your way in. There is a suggested donation of $5 per kit.

Softball Night: OPPD vs. OPFD – 3 p.m.

Join the Overland Park Police Department and the Overland Park Fire Department as they go head-to-head to prove which department is the ultimate softball champion. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. at Roe Park, 10400 Roe. All donations collected for this event will be jointly split between the OPFD Benevolence Association and OPPD C.O.P.E.

Monday, October 2
Overland Park Citywide Hiring Event – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join us at the Overland Park Convention Center for our Citywide Hiring Event! We’re looking for talented individuals to join various departments, including the City Manager’s Office, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Planning, Police and more. Come prepared for on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers! Check out our open positions at recruit.opkansas.org.

Neighborhood Executive Committee Officers Board – 5:30 p.m.

The Neighborhood Executive Committee develops and monitors the progress of the neighborhood programs. This meeting is held at Matt Ross Community Center.

City Council – 7:30 p.m.

Mayor and Council meetings are held the first and third Monday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in the council chamber.

Wednesday, October 4

Giggle Time Children’s Program – 10 a.m.

Gather your little ones for some giggling and wiggling and a fun-filled time at 10 a.m. at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center with a performance by StoneLion Puppet Theatre.

Site Plan Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.

The site plan review committee makes recommendations to the Planning Commission on matters relating to site planning and architectural details of development proposals. Items may be recommended for committee review by the City Council, the Planning Commission or City staff. The Site Plan Review Committee meets at City Hall. 

Community Development Committee – 7 p.m.

Community Development Committee meetings are held every first Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1.

Thursday, October 5

Legacy of Greenery Committee – 6:30 p.m.

The Legacy of Greenery Committee promotes landscaping throughout the city by advocating and encouraging the proper planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers and turf. The Legacy of Greenery Committee meets the first Thursday of every month and sponsors a number of annual activities, including seedling giveaways, poster contests, and landscape excellence awards. The Legacy of Greenery Committee meets at City Hall.

REC Book Club – 7 p.m.

Read, exercise, and converse with other book lovers at Matt Ross Community Center’s monthly book club. 

Saturday, October 7

Construction Debris Drop-Off – 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Overland Park residents will have an opportunity to drop off one pickup truckload of construction materials at no charge at Dennis Garrett Public Works, 1130 W. 91st St. View a list of acceptable items as well as additional event information at opkansas.org.

Friends of First Responders Day – 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Overland Park Fire and Police Departments, along with volunteers, invite people with developmental disabilities and their families to a day of fun, learning and community engagement at the Fire Training Center, 12401 Hemlock St. Watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities alongside local firefighters and police officers. This event provides a unique opportunity to learn ways to keep loved ones safe and feel comfortable around emergency first responders.

Night at the Arboretum – 5-9 p.m.

Come roam the trails with your flashlight, look at the stars after dark at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Night at the Arboretum is a chance to see the spookier side of the Arboretum, and it’s free with Arboretum admission.

Sunday, October 8

Stained Glass Workshop for Beginners – 1-4 p.m.

Join us in making a stained glass hanging at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Learn beginning stained glass techniques with lead-free solder and flux. Supplies will be provided. Class size is limited. Due to the nature of working with a soldering iron and chemicals, this workshop is for adults 18 and older. Protective gloves, masks and eyewear will be worn. Please wear an apron or a long-sleeved shirt.

Monday, October 9

Planning Commission – 1:30 p.m.

Planning Commission meetings are held the second Monday of every month at City Hall in the Council Chamber.

Tuesday, October 10

Board of Zoning Appeals – 7 p.m.

The Board of Zoning Appeals considers requests for relief from the requirements of the zoning ordinance and meets monthly, generally on the second Tuesday. The Board of Zoning Appeals meets at City Hall. 

Wednesday, October 11

Site Plan Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.

The site plan review committee makes recommendations to the Planning Commission on matters relating to site planning and architectural details of development proposals. Items may be recommended for committee review by the City Council, the Planning Commission or city staff. The Site Plan Review Committee meets at City Hall. 

Public Safety Committee – 7 p.m.

Public Safety Committee meetings are held every second Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1. 

Thursday, October 12

Environmental Advisory Committee – 6 p.m.

The Environmental Advisory Council studies environmental issues while supporting and promoting new and existing programs, and developing educational programs that benefit individuals and businesses in our community with respect to environmental issues. The Environmental Advisory Council meets at City Hall.

Environmental Advisory Council Officers Board – 8 p.m.

The regular meeting of the Officers Board is to be held at 8:00 p.m. at City Hall. The purpose of the Officers Board Meeting is to plan the agenda.

Saturday, October 14

Recycling Extravaganza – 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Reduce, reuse and rid your home of unwanted items at the Recycling Extravaganza at Black & Veatch, 11401 Lamar. View a list of items accepted at this event at opkansas.org.

Succulents in Driftwood Workshop – 10-11:30 a.m.

Enjoy this fun and interactive class inspired by nature at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens! You’ll create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece out of natural preserved moss, succulents and driftwood. 

Botanical Brewfest – 6 p.m.

Sample dozens of local and regional breweries and restaurants at Brewfest at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Purchase tickets in advance on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website. 

Monday, October 16

City Council – 7:30 p.m.

Mayor and Council meetings are held the first and third Monday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall in the council chamber.

Wednesday, October 18

Site Plan Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.

The site plan review committee makes recommendations to the Planning Commission on matters relating to site planning and architectural details of development proposals. Items may be recommended for committee review by the City Council, the Planning Commission or city staff. The Site Plan Review Committee meets at City Hall. 

Finance, Administration + Economic Development Committee – 7 p.m.

Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meetings are held every third Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1. 

Friday, October 20

Night of the Living Farm – 5:30 p.m.

Experience the Farmstead after dark if you dare. Enjoy “spooktacular” fun such as children’s performances, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, a dance party, spooky Mad Science experiments, and more. Buy tickets online only on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website.

Saturday, October 21

Electronics Recycling + Shredding Event – 9 a.m.-noon

Recycle your old electronics, and securely and sustainably dispose of documents at Shawnee Mission West High School, 8800 W. 85th St. Large appliances will not be accepted. View acceptable items and fees at opkansas.org.

Kansas City Plogtober Cleanup – 9 a.m.

Lace-up your sneakers, and get ready to plog! Plogging is a combination of jogging and picking up litter. Sign up to plog at Quivira Park as part of this year’s Kansas City Plogtober Cleanup! Pick up supplies between 9 a.m. and noon before heading out for fresh air, exercise and a morning of cleaning up our wonderful green spaces. Safety information, route maps and waivers will be provided. Over the course of 31 days, more than 20 sites across six counties will participate in Plogtober, keeping our green spaces clean!

Trunk or Treat  – 3-5 p.m.

Join the Overland Park Police Department for a fun, spooky and safe Halloween event! Spend the afternoon trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk, collecting candy and meeting your police officers. There will be music, balloon artists, awards for decorated trunks, costumes and candy. 

Night of the Living Farm – 5:30 p.m.

Experience the Farmstead after dark if you dare. Enjoy “spooktacular” fun such as children’s performances, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, a dance party, spooky Mad Science experiments, and more. Buy tickets online only on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website.

Monday, October 23

Independent Citizen Advisory Board for Racial Profiling and Non-Biased Policing – 6:30 p.m.

The Independent Citizen Advisory Board for Racial Profiling and Non-Biased Policing advises and assists in policy development, education and community outreach and communications related to racial profiling and other non-biased policing efforts of the Overland Park Police Department and meets quarterly at Sanders Justice Center.

Tuesday, October 24

Parks + Recreation Advisory Council – 6:30 p.m.

This Parks & Recreation Advisory Council advises and makes recommendations to the Governing Body and staff on residential parks and recreational needs and wants. They meet the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall.

Wednesday, October 25

Site Plan Review Committee – 11:45 a.m.

The site plan review committee makes recommendations to the Planning Commission on matters relating to site planning and architectural details of development proposals. Items may be recommended for committee review by the City Council, the Planning Commission or city staff. The Site Plan Review Committee meets at City Hall. 

Public Works Committee – 7 p.m.

Public Works Committee meetings are held every fourth Wednesday of every month at City Hall in Conference Room 1. 

Thursday, October 26

Mental Health Advisory Committee – 6 p.m.

The Mental Health Advisory Committee advises the Public Safety Committee and City Council on issues of mental health in the community. The Committee meets quarterly at Sanders Justice Center.

Friday, October 27

Night of the Living Farm – 5:30 p.m.

Experience the Farmstead after dark if you dare. Enjoy “spooktacular” fun such as children’s performances, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, a dance party, spooky Mad Science experiments, and more. Buy tickets online only on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website.

Saturday, October 28

Night of the Living Farm – 5:30 p.m.

Experience the Farmstead after dark if you dare. Enjoy “spooktacular” fun such as children’s performances, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, a dance party, spooky Mad Science experiments, and more. Buy tickets online only on the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park website.