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Board signals support for LakeFest carnival; staff to finalize permits, parking and safety plans
Summary
City officials discussed a proposal to host a full carnival at LakeFest 2026 on three parking lots behind City Hall and portions of West Meadow. Organizers and staff described logistics, resident outreach, public-safety planning and parking alternatives; the board expressed informal support and asked staff to finalize permits and notifications.
LakeFest organizers and city staff presented a plan to host Evans Midland Empire carnival rides and games at the 2026 LakeFest, using the three parking lots behind City Hall and part of West Meadow. The Board of Aldermen voiced general support and asked staff and the LakeFest committee to complete permitting, public-notice and public-safety planning.
Shauna, a LakeFest committee member, said the carnival operator (Evans Midland Empire, owned locally by Peggy Evans) asked to reserve the lots because the company needs signed contracts early in the year. “They are just right outside Smithville in the area,” she said, and organizers want to lock in scheduling. She told the board the operator would bring multiple rides, games and a Ferris wheel and that the setup requires semitrailers and space for a company RV and staging.
Organizers proposed closing some parking and parts of West Meadow for the week of setup. The committee said they had visited nearby residents and businesses and found them “flexible” and willing to cooperate; BridgeCom and several downtown merchants were singled out as having been contacted. Shauna noted the operator sends a professional crew to clean and power-wash streets after events.
City staff and aldermen raised logistics and safety matters. One alderman urged a clearly spelled-out public-safety plan covering police, fire and EMS and suggested door-hanger notices for residents on affected streets a week or two before closures. Staff confirmed they had discussed temporary parking plans — including use of senior-center parking, parking north of Patterson House, gravel lots below Church Street and a lot across 169 — and that city vehicles and police could be staged off-site during setup to keep operations moving.
Board members also discussed the scheduling benefit of LakeFest occurring during the 2026 Kansas City World Cup, which could draw additional visitors. Several aldermen and staff said they supported the proposal and directed organizers to proceed with contract-signing and the standard downtown special-event permit process; City Administrator Cynthia Wagner said the festival’s special-event permit and the usual downtown use-permit paperwork will be presented to the board when finalized.
No formal vote was taken; the board’s comments were recorded as informal direction and encouragement to staff and the LakeFest committee. Organizers said they would continue resident outreach, finalize traffic and safety plans with city staff and move forward quickly to meet the carnival operator’s contracting timeline.
