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Len’s favorites in Merriam:

Restaurant: I have lunch at the Merriam Community Center about five days a week. A group of us also have breakfast together on Saturday mornings. Two of the restaurants in Merriam we frequent are Denny’s on Shawnee Mission Parkway and IHOP in Merriam Town Center.

Activity/Events:

• Fourth of July: We go over to Flags 4 Freedom at the Merriam Marketplace. The grandkids enjoy walking through the flags and throwing pebbles in the creek.

• Tim Murphy Art Gallery: I enjoy seeing the different art displays each month inside the Merriam Community Center. I’m partial to country scenes.

• Turkey Creek Car Show: The show in 2009 was memorable. I had just painted my car, and a couple of car friends came over the night before to help put the car back together so I could drive to the car show. We didn’t have time to put the seats in, so I sat on a cement block to drive over to the event the next morning.

We know you are a car enthusiast! How about you share a little about your restored car and what happened this year at the car show?

I purchased my 1931 Chevy in 1964 when I was 20 years old. I was living in Salina and bought the car for $25 from a farmer. The car didn’t run and had no interior.

We swapped out the engine under a tree in my buddy’s backyard. I started restoring my car in the 90s. I put a primer sealer on the car and drove it that way until 2013 when I painted it yellow. The interior was finished by early 2021.

My car won an award at the 2022 Turkey Creek Car & Motorcycle show. I was very surprised.

VALENTINE BALL

Feb. 4 | MCC

Come enjoy an enchanted evening of tasty treats and dancing. Each couple receives a keepsake photo and a surprise treat to take home!

BRUNCH WITH THE BUNNY

April 1 | MCC

The Easter Bunny’s on the way to bring you goodies! Join this fun event where you’ll make great memories with an egg hunt, games, a pancake breakfast, and a keepsake photo op.

FARMERS’ MARKET

May – September | MMP

Find fresh produce, garden staples, home-baked goods, handmade crafts, and other local items each Saturday at the Merriam Farmers’ Market.

TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL May 20

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Antioch Park

The Turkey Creek Festival is the place for family fun! Enjoy kids activities, carnival-inspired concessions, art and craft vendors, live music, and much more. Antioch Park will be bustling with tons to see and do. For extra Turkey Creek fun, join the 5K run/walk in downtown Merriam.

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY

June 9 | Brown Park

Enjoy lawn games, hot dogs, face painting, and live music!

DIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT

June 23 | MCC

Catch a movie while relaxing in the MCC outdoor pool.

FLAGS 4 FREEDOM

July 1 – 8 | MMP

Merriam’s most patriotic event, Flags 4 Freedom, transforms downtown Merriam into a beautiful display of red, white, and blue as more than a thousand flags fly in perfect rows to honor our nation. Find more information at flags4freedom.org.

CRUISE NIGHT

July 8 & Aug. 12 | MMP

Shine up your ride and head to downtown Merriam for the 2023 Cruise Nights. Enjoy live music and plenty of miles cruising up and down Merriam Drive.

MCC BIRTHDAY POOL PARTY

July 28 | MCC

Jump in the pool and celebrate the Merriam Community Center’s third birthday! Don’t miss this fun evening swim with a DJ and prizes!

CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD

Aug. 18 | MCC

Enjoy food trucks, games, face painting, caricature and balloon artists, a photo booth, and live music.

TURKEY CREEK CAR & MOTORCYCLE SHOW

Sept. 9 | MMP

This annual show features music, food trucks, and more than 300 beautiful cars, trucks, and motorcycles on display.

MERRIAM DRIVE LIVE

Oct. 7 | MMP

Live musicians, a beer garden, vendors, kids activities, cornhole with cash prizes, and more take over Merriam Drive for this annual fall music festival.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Oct. 10 | Waterfall Park

Meet Merriam police officers at this event promoting neighborhood spirit. This popular gathering is great for families, neighbors, and visitors to connect with the community and our police department.

Find more event details at exploremerriam.com.

Halloween Happenings

Oct. 21 | MMP

Gather your ghosts and goblins for an afternoon of Halloween games, treats, and a photo booth.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COURTYARD

Dec. 1 | MCC

Join Mayor Bob Pape as he lights the beautiful Christmas tree at the Merriam Community Center –then stay for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Dec. 2 | MCC

The morning is full of holiday spirit, storytime with Johnson County Library staff, elf crafts, and a visit with Santa!

MMP

Merriam Marketplace 5740 Merriam Drive

MCC

Merriam Community Center 6040 Slater St.