Excelsior Springs' Biggest Festival Set To Return Next Weekend

Waterfest is back for the 2022 year! The long-range forecast does show showers prior to the festival’s start but doesn’t look like it will force the festival to cancel like it did last year. Waterfest is Excelsior Springs community’s largest festival that Chamber of Commerce volunteers spend all year organizing. This article will tell you what to expect in the way of entertainment, kids activities, vendors, contests, and more to get you ready for event that will kick off at 2:00pm on Friday, June 24 and will last through Saturday at 10:00pm.

In the past fireworks hasn’t always gone off with a bang and so the Waterfest committee this year planned the fireworks for Friday night, instead of the usual Saturday show. By doing this, it will allow for Friday to have a rain date that would then be moved to Saturday, so we don’t miss our show. Lucky for Excelsior, there will be three fireworks shows coming up to enjoy! The Elms Hotel and Spa plan a show on the 4th of July and then the BBQ Contest will have their annual show at the airport in August.

There will be two stages with free entertainment all weekend long! The Main Stage is bringing back favorites such as 4 Fried Chickens and a Coke, Gypsies, Doves & Dreams, and Elton Dan who will be performing with Robb Stewart this year! New to the Main Stage will be the Country Music Makers, the Heatcats, and Cold Fire. Music won’t be the only thing happening on the Main Stage. You can also participate in the Cornhole Tournament Friday evening at 6pm and Saturday at 9:00am. You can also get in a Zumba workout Saturday morning at 10:30am with Theresa Happy and Pam Vogler from the Excelsior Springs Community Center.

The Crescent Lake Christian Center sponsors the “Good News Stage” that will headline Jimmie Bratcher, who uses his talent to preach the gospel and play the blues. Returning with him will be 9th Hour and new to the stage will be Service Station and Joe Lewis Electric Guitar Slinger.

Lots of opportunities for the kids to have fun! There will be pedal cars at the Good News Stage on both days. After the parade on Saturday morning, there will be Superheroes ready to greet kiddos and a chance to greet the Grand Marshal Kisha Henry! Little Mr. and Miss Waterfest sponsored by Kalyn Goode school board member and owner of My Momma Tried, will take place at 12:30pm on Saturday at Booth 318.

ESHS Graduate and KMBC 9 News Anchor Kisha Henry will be Waterfest’s Grand Marshal on Saturday and will have a Meet and Greet after the parade at the Good News Stage. *Picture from KMBC 9 News Kansas City*

There’s fun for all ages, with Historic Trolley Tours being given throughout the downtown, the annual Beer Garden, which will be located near the Main Stage, and a Donut Eating Contest sponsored by Price Chopper on Saturday afternoon! Returning will also be the KC Disc Dogs that will feature a performance by the dogs of their many tricks! Don’t forget about the Custom Car, Hot Rod, and Truck Show that will take place Saturday in the Hall of Waters Circle Drive! Jones Custom Collision sponsors this event every year and it is a festival favorite! The Quilt Show will also be back this year and set up in the Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives.

Described on their website as “punchy climbs, gnarly descents and roads that twist and turn add up to one of the most challenging gravel races in the country for the Opal Wapoo Gravel Experience. Even when Waterfest was called off last year due to flooding and storms, the bicycle race was able to continue after some adjustments to the course. Organizers Phil and Stacey Scherer have offered the bike race since 2018 and last year had 400 racers registered. The race offers a 100-mile and 50-mile course options, which wind along the backroads of Excelsior Springs. It’s becoming known as one of the more challenging courses throughout the nation, which draws bike enthusiasts from across the country. Coupled with the festival, the race gives families an opportunity to all have something fun to do!

Along with the events, there will be over one hundred vendors with everything from local honey to crafts and art! Retail vendors won’t be the only thing to enjoy, there will be food vendors, as well! Kona Ice, the Knights of Columbus, Ed’s Ice Cold Drinks-Candied Sodas, Tip Top Kettle Corn, KC Pineapple Whip, Made It Myself Shaved Ice, Brain Freeze Daqaris, Old Tyme Funnel Cakes, Muffin Top Bakery, and Grandmas Mini Donuts and Tacos are all on the menu!

For more information, check out the website at eswaterfest.com and be sure to follow the event page on Facebook for updates leading up to the event! Many thanks to all the local businesses and organizations that are sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors
City of Excelsior Springs
Crescent Lake Christian Center
Excelsior Springs Standard

Diamond Sponsors
Elms Hotel & Spa
Excelsior Springs Community Center
OnMedia

Gold Sponsors
Alg Commercial Properties, LLC
Treehouse Foods
Community Bank of Missouri
Dubious Claims Brewing Co.
Edward Jones – Brian Yarbrough – David Faltys – Jeremy Stone
Excelsior Springs Hospital
Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center
First Student – Apple Bus
Fleshman Construction
Inn on Crescent Lake
KMZU “The Farm” 100.7 FM
Turnkey Properties
United Fiber

Silver Sponsors
Ameren Missouri
Blauvelt Law Firm, LLC
Blue Sparrow Landscape & Garden Center
BP Quick Corner – Pete Patal
Bross and Spidle Chapels, LLC
Central Bank of Midwest
Colvin’s Heating and Cooling
Excelsior Citizen
Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic – Dr. Pete Rucker
Excelsior Springs Fire Departmetn
Excelsior Springs Golf Course
Excelsior Springs Police Department
Excelsior Springs School District
EXT Plastics
Four Horses & A Dog Winery
Fraternal Order of the Eagles
John Blackburn
Jones Custom & Collision
K-9 Clips Stay & Play
My Momma Tried, LLC – Kalyn Goode
One Step at a Time
Opal Wapoo
Price Chopper
Quick Corner – M Shakti
ReMax – Simmons Team
R-Mac Dumpsters
Roberts Robinson Chevrolet – Buick – GMC
Sanson Electric
Scooters Coffee
Shelter Insurance – Clint Hylton
Shoemaker Tow
SPB Trucking – DeVery & Gary Jones
Thomas Auto Body, LLC
Treehouse Foods
Ventana Gourmet Grill
Westlake Ace Hardware