Raymore staff retools long‑running summer event into two‑night "Festival of the Parks" kickoff this week

Raymore Parks and Recreation staff on Monday described plans to relaunch the city's long‑running summer event this week as a two‑night Festival of the Parks, beginning Thursday at TBHANA Station and continuing Friday at Recreation Park.

Parks and Recreation staffer Mr. Musteen told the council the event grew out of a volunteer festival committee that has organized the annual Festival in the Park for the last 20 years but had stepped back last year. Staff worked with volunteers and the chamber to renew the celebration under the Festival of the Parks banner.

"Thursday night is a celebration of our people, and that's our veterans," Musteen said. "Friday night is a celebration of our country. That's Spirit of America. Saturday, we want to end that by celebrating our community..." He outlined Thursday's bricks‑and‑block party at TBHANA Station beginning at 5:30 p.m., with four food trucks, farmers‑market vendors, inflatables, two musical guests and an unveiling of honor bricks; Friday's Spirit of America at Recreation Park will feature live music from Mirage KC, nine food trucks plus concessions, three inflatables, a dunk tank and fireworks at dusk.

Staff said next year they hope to add a third event at Hockridge Park — a community concert in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce — contingent on pavilion and parking construction timelines. Council members praised staff and volunteers for organizing the events and encouraged residents to attend.

The council received the written staff report and no formal action was required; Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers will proceed with the scheduled activities this week.