This year’s Waterfest festival brought over 100 vendors, live music entertainment, kids activities, car, bike, and truck show, parade, contests, and tons of fun to the downtown this past weekend. Take a look through our lens for a review of this great event!
The Calico Quilters annual quilt show in the Hall of Waters Visitor’s Center did not disappoint! The quilters challenged themselves to a heart quilt for this year’s display. Barbara Hyatt was the lucky winner of a quilt from a raffle drawing.
Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Executive Assistant Lindsay Hall and Lauren Park greet vendors and give directions on where to go to set up. The whole process ran very smooth, due to the careful pre-planning of the Waterfest committee: Co-chairs Brad Rice, Kalyn Goode, Lindsay Hall, and Chamber President Brian Rice; Courtney Cole, Kristen DeHart, Abigail Douglas, Ryan Dowdy, Betty Evans, Donny Evans, Clint Hylton, Chris Jones, Joe Maddick, Pat Moore, Sonya Morgan, Gary Renne, Christi Rice, and Em Rice.
Hats off to Kayln Goode’s Salon, Flat Branch Home Loans with Tray Harkins, and Kenny Manley with the Re/Max Manley Home Team for arranging Lakeside Bounce to bring in waterslides for all of the children to enjoy. They definitely put the “water” back into Waterfest and it kept busy the whole time. If this is something that you would be interested in sponsoring in the future, please reach out to Kalyn Goode.
With the beer garden open, the first of the bands took to the Rite-Way Auto Main Stage! Ragged Heirs kick started the live entertainment that could be heard all around, keeping people singing.
“Fast Times” brought a ton of energy to their performance, leading everyone in familiar tunes from the 80s and 90s songs.
The loved fireworks were shot from Siloam Mountain, providing a front row seat for anyone celebrating downtown.
Saturday’s festival began with the Waterfest parade, showcasing the best in local businesses and organizations here in Excelsior Springs.
After the parade vehicles entering in the Custom Car & Truck Show sponsored by Jones Custom Custom and Collision Center gathered around the Hall of Waters Circle Drive. For more on the Car Show, see here.
Now in their second year, Boopy Locks sponsored a Bike Show, this time opening it up to both male and female bikers to participate. For more info on the Bike Show, see here.
Back at the Rite-Way Main Stage, Pam and Theresa from the Excelsior Springs Community Center led a Zumba class ! One Step at a Time also gave demonstration dances later in the evening.
The Re/Max hot air balloon rides had to be cancelled due to weather. There was a brief downpour but attitudes around were that it wouldn’t be Waterfest without a little rain! Years past severe weather has cancelled the festival. Seeing a rainbow over the festival grounds after the rain brought everyone back to a good mood.
The Little Miss & Mister Waterfest competition showcased all of the kiddos talents, which they had taken time to prepare to perform. Sponsored every year by Kalyn Goode with Kalyn Goode’s Salon, she said her goal is to make kids feel good about themselves. This year’s winners were Scout Powell, Kimberly and Jeremy Powell’s son, and Asa Cockrum, Amanda and Jacob Cockrum’s daughter. Watch for more coverage of this event this week.
The final band to perform had festival goers on their feet and dancing to the beat! “The Suburbans” brought with them a full set of popular songs that had people from all ages singing along. Their finale was perfect for a successful festival weekend.
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