The Grain Valley Fair committee and partners are finalizing plans for the 2025 First Fridays events to be held in downtown Grain Valley. The events, which feature food trucks, local vendors, and various activities, will be held from 5:00pm - 8:00pm on the first Friday in May, June, August, and October. No First Fridays event is planned for July as the 4th of July holiday falls on the first Friday. 

Tentative themes and activities for the 2025 season include:
​May 2nd- Art Walk
June 6th- Food Truck Throw Down
August 1st- Foam Party featuring performances from Releve Performing Arts
October 3rd- Cider and Smores featuring performances from Releve Performing Arts

Residents should note road closures on these dates. Front Street and Gregg Street will be closed beginning at 2:30pm with Main Street and Walnut closing around 4:45pm. The parking lot next to the post  office will also be used this year due to interest from vendors and food trucks.  
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"We are excited this year because we have more interest from trucks and vendors than ever before.  We are already on a waiting list for food trucks for each week and have several new trucks coming out that haven't been here before," Grain Valley Fair committee chair Mike Todd said.

First Fridays events are a joint effort of the Grain Valley Fair, Downtown Grain Valley, downtown Grain Valley Churches, and the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Grain Valley Fair returns Friday, September 6th - Saturday, September 7th at Armstrong Park. The fun begins Friday evening with the carnival midway, vendor booths, and food vendors opening at 4:00pm. The beer garden opens at 5:00pm with bands beginning at 5:30pm. 

Grain Valley Fair Board member Mike Todd said the organization is excited for this weekend.

"We are super excited about our lineup of bands especially the ones starting at 3:00pm on Saturday. There are three bands that all headline a lot of fairs/festivals, and we have all three with no cover charge.  We also have not raised prices in our beer garden even though wholesale prices have gone up, so we are really trying to bust inflation for everyone in Grain Valley," Todd said.

The community parade will be held on Saturday, September 7th. The parade begins at 10:00am at Grain Valley High School, heads east on Eagles Parkway to Buckner Tarsney/Main, continues north through downtown to Walnut, and then heads west to Kirby to conclude at the high school. Residents should be prepared for road closures along the route from approximately 9:00am - Noon. 

Bingo, hosted by the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, September 7th at the Grain Valley Community Center from 10am - 4pm. Bingo is free with donations welcome to support Chamber programming for local businesses. Concessions will be available as well.

At the fairgrounds on Saturday, several activities are planned. A car show will be held from Noon - 4pm, the mechanical bull contest begins at 1:30pm, and a full lineup of bands begins at the Pavilion at Armstrong Park at Noon and continues until 10:00pm.

A shuttle service will be offered from 2:00pm - 10:30pm on Saturday. Shuttles will pick up and drop off attendees at two parking locations: Grain Valley High School's east parking lot and the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley. The pickup location at the fair will be at the south end of the Community Center parking lot near the pool. 

For more information, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org or follow Grain Valley Fair on Facebook for updates. 

First Fridays continues Friday, July 5th with an All-American Summer theme. In addition to food trucks and vendors downtown from 5pm - 8pm, a Foam Party next to Valley Baptist on Front Street will be held from 6pm - 7:30pm. 

Food vendors scheduled to attend include:
Whole in Bun
Chef Aristos
Ate 1 Six
La Hamburguesa Loca
Omnivorium
Donut NV
Stanley's Ice and Cream

Road closures are scheduled to start at 4:30pm, with Main St closing at the same time as the following list.

- W. Walnut at Gregg Street to Main Street
- W. Front at Gregg Street to Main Street
- Main Street from Walnut to Front Street
- E. Walnut will be closed at Main Street
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First Fridays will last until 8:00pm, after which roads will gradually reopen. Our officers and VIPs will assist in redirecting vehicles around the event zone.

First Fridays returns to downtown Grain Valley this Friday, June 7th with a Food Truck Throw Down, selfie stations, vendors, a car show, and more. 

Please note the following street closures:
- W. Walnut at Gregg Street to Main Street
- W. Front at Gregg Street to Main Street
- Main Street from Walnut to Front Street
- E. Walnut will be closed at Main Street

Closures are scheduled to start at 4:30pm with Main St closing at the same time. The event is scheduled until 8:00pm, after which roads will gradually reopen.

"This month we have two events happening with First Friday.  The first one scored the highest on our survey we did early this year, which is the Food Truck Throw Down. The trucks are embracing it and most have added specials and small dishes at lower prices so everyone can make sure to try as many trucks as possible. They are all trying to get your vote. The second event we have going on is different selfie stations around downtown including a 360-degree selfie booth that we will have set up on Main Street," Grain Valley Fair board member Mike Todd said.

Downtown Grain Valley Inc. is also bringing back its Rock-Paper-Scissors contest. Anyone who plays can be entered to win a prize (no minimums this round). Participants should stop by the Downtown Grain Valley booth to grab your beads and enter to win a gift card to downtown businesses.

To place your votes in the Food Truck Throw Down competition, stop by the First Friday's Info Tent to pick up your voting chip (one per person) and then drop that chip into your favorite truck's bucket, which will be located at their truck.

A car show is also planned in the parking lot of First Baptist Church Grain Valley from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The show is free to enter and free to attend.

First Fridays returns to downtown Grain Valley this Friday, May 3rd with a focus on the arts. The popular event, hosted by the Grain Valley Fair Association in partnership with Downtown Grain Valley, Inc., is held the first Friday during the summer months. The event features a variety of food trucks and a different theme each month. For the month of May, the arts are in the spotlight, with student artwork from Grain Valley Schools displayed in downtown businesses and a chalk artist creating an original work outside of El Tequilazo restaurant beginning at 5:00pm.

"We are very excited about this year.  We took to heart the survey we conducted earlier this year regarding what people wanted to see as part of First Fridays and have incorporated as many of those activities as possible.  Food Trucks play a big part in First Fridays, but we have really tried to grow the event from when we first started from just Food Trucks to other events for the whole family.  I think this year we have some really cool things in store and hopefully it will give our residents a chance to stay in town for their Friday nights while at the same time bringing in people from outside our community as well so they can see the great things going on in Grain Valley," Grain Valley Fair Committee Chair Mike Todd said.

Main Street will close at around 4:45 PM and reopen around 8:00 PM between Front and Walnut. Access to the parking lot across from the Bank of Grain Valley will be available. 

The Grain Valley Fair kicks off Friday, September 8th and continues through Saturday, September 9th at Armstrong Park. 

Mayor Mike Todd coordinates the Fair as a member of the Grain Valley Fair Association Board, and is thrilled with this year's lineup and the weather forecast.

"Knock on wood the weather looks like a vast improvement over last year.  Might even say perfect Fair weather.  Since our Fair Association was formed this is the most vendors we have ever had sign up.  Lots of crafters and Etsy shop type vendors, which we always get asked for more of.  A couple of the bands we have coming you almost always have to pay to see, but thanks to all of our great sponsors the music is all brought to everyone at no cost.  Lots of new firsts this year including appearances by both Slugger and KC Wolf," Todd said.

This year's Grain Valley Fair Community Parade will be held a bit earlier than usual, with the parade beginning at 10:00am on Saturday. The parade begins at the high school, heads east to march through downtown, taking EE Kirby Road to return to the high school. Streets along the route will be impacted from 9:30am - 11:30am.

Below is the schedule of events for this weekend's Fair:

​Grain Valley Fair 2023
 
Fair presented by iPlumb KC, McCownGordon Construction, Centerpoint Medical Center, and Missouri Made Marijuana
 
Schedule brought to you by Grain Valley News and University Health
 
Friday September 8th
             
4:00-9:00           Carnival Midway Open: Fair Grounds
                             Brought to you by OOIDA and Nick Mortallaro State Farm

4:00-9:00           Vendor Booths Open: Fair Grounds
                             Brought to you by McDonald’s of Grain Valley and TempStop

4:00-9:00           Food Truck Alley Open (Fair Grounds)
                             Brought to you by Temp-Con
5:00-10:00         Beer Garden Open (Large Pavilion)
                             Brought to you by MO Country

5:00-8:00          Chapel Hill Rebellion  (North Stage of the Pavilion)
                             Brought to you by Nicholls Performance Transmissions
8:30-10:00         Grindstone (East Stage of the Pavilion)
                             Brought to you by Lights Out Window Tint
 
Saturday September 9th
 
10:00-11:30       Grain Valley Community Parade: Starts at High School
                            Brought to you by Grain Valley News

11:00-9:00          Carnival Midway Open: Fair Grounds
                            Brought to you by Marilyn Jeanne Designs and
                            Alyssa Scholl American Family Insurance

11:00-9:00          Vendor Booths Open: Fair Grounds
                            Brought to you by McDonald’s of Grain Valley and TempStop

11:00-9:00         Food Truck Alley Open (Fair Grounds)
                            Brought to you by Temp-Con

12:00-1:30         Dan Strack and the Pro Pickers
                            East Stage of the Pavilion
                            Brought to you by Blue Springs Marine

12:00-1:30         Slugger (Kansas City Royals Mascot)
                            iPlumb KC Booth
                            Brought to you by iPlumb KC

12:00-10:00       Beer Garden Open (Large Pavilion)
                            Brought to you by MO Country    
12:00-4:00         Car Show
                             East and West James Rollo Ballfields
                             Brought to you by noAKA Promotions

1:00-10:30          Fair Shuttle
                             First Baptist Parking Lot/Sni-A-Bar Elementary Parking Lot/Fair Grounds
                            Brought to you by First Baptist Grain Valley

2:00-3:30           Carl Worden Band
                              Main Stage of the Pavilion
                              Brought to you by Grain Valley Culver’s
 
4:00-5:30           Back Alley Brass Band                
                             Main Stage of the Pavilion
                             Brought to you by Grain Valley Price Chopper

5:00-7:00           KC Wolf (Kansas City Chiefs Mascot)
                             iPlumb KC Booth
                             Brought to you by iPlumb KC
 
5:30-6:15           Mechanical Bull Riding Contest              
                           North End of the Pavilion
                           Brought to you by Boot Barn
6:15-7:45           Landslide (Main Stage of the Pavilion)
                                     Brought to you by Blue Compass RV
8:30-10:00         Member’s Only
                             Main Stage of the Pavilion
                             Brought to you by Blue Compass RV
 
Thank you to our Partner Sponsors
Metropolitan Community College, Star Development, Collision Leaders and
St. Mary’s Hospital
 
Trash Services provided by Lies Trash and Junk-Be-Gone
 
UTVs/Golf Carts provided by Dell’s Powersports and Lifted and Lowered Golf Carts
 
Koozies sponsored by State Bank, Eagles Convenient Storage, ICON Grading, KC Cannabis, KAT Excavating, ASI, Re/Max, Ward Development, Edward Jones of Grain Valley, Elliot Glass, Show Me Hydro, Hooker’s Tow, Nicholls Performance Transmissions, and Casey’s General Stores
 
Parade Toss Outs sponsored by Bank of Grain Valley, Nicholls Performance Transmissions, and Lights Out Window Tint

The final First Fridays event for the year will feature several local bands. The August 4th event will be held in downtown Grain Valley from 5-8pm. In addition to the traditional food trucks, entertainment will be provided by Josephine, Time Bandits, and the Good Sam Band. 

First Fridays events are hosted by the Grain Valley Fair Association in partnership with Downtown Grain Valley, Inc.

The artwork has been hung, the food trucks are scheduled, and downtown businesses are ready to welcome guests for the first First Fridays event of the year on Friday, May 5th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm.

The Grain Valley Fair Association is continuing the popular Food Truck Friday events, focusing on just the first Fridays in 2023 rather than a weekly event. This year's events will be held May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th, and then during the Grain Valley Fair on September 8th and 9th. 

All events, with the exception of the Grain Valley Fair, will be held in downtown Grain Valley, with a different theme planned for each month. On May 5th, an Art Walk is planned, featuring artwork from student artists displayed in participating downtown businesses. 

In addition to the food trucks and Art Walk, collaborative art activities and vendors will be on site, and several local businesses and restaurants will be open for dining and entertainment options. 

The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce will welcome two new businesses, The Patel Group and Iron Courtyard, with ribbon cuttings beginning at The Patel Group's new offices at 4:00pm. 

Mayor Mike Todd said the Grain Valley Fair Association board partnered with the newly formed Downtown Grain Valley, Inc. to add to the successful Food Truck Fridays events and support downtown revitalization efforts.
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"We are looking forward to a really great time.  With the help of Downtown Grain Valley working with the Grain Valley Fair, we are going to have a great event.  Theming each First Friday this year is a great addition.  I have seen all the art for the Art Walk this Friday and to say we have some talented artists in our school system is an understatement.  I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised at the talent that is on display from early childhood up to the high school,"
Todd said.

     After months of planning, the Grain Valley Fair and Community Parade will be held this wekeend, Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th behind the Grain Valley Community Center. The fun begins at 4:00pm on Friday, as the carnival midway and vendor booths open. The Beer Garden opens at 5:00pm, with bands beginning at 5:30pm through 11:00pm.
     The Grain Valley Community Parade will begin at 2:00pm on Saturday. The parade begins at Grain Valley High School, heads east to Main, travels down Main to Walnut, follows Walnut to Kirby and heads back to the high school. Judging will take place along Main Street, with winners announced Saturday evening. 
     A full schedule of events is provided below. Additional details can be found at www.grainvalleyfair.org or the Grain Valley Fair page on Facebook. 

     With fall just around the corner, plans for the Grain Valley Fair are coming together. The Fair will be held on the grounds behind Armstrong Park and the Community Center on Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th. The Grain Valley Fair Community Parade will begin at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 10th.
     Joe's Old Fashioned Family Fun Carnival will return again this year, and plans to bring two new rides, including a ferris wheel. The carnival also plans to include photo booths, and will be able to accept credit/debit cards along with cash for carnival tickets.
     MO Country will be running the Beer Garden and plan to expand on the selection offered in the past.
     According to Fair board member Mike Todd, there will be plenty of food options for fair goers.       "Food Truck Alley will be full of some of our favorite trucks from Food Truck Friday, plus Burger Barn from Crossroads Church, and Joeshmoes will be partnering with First Baptist Church to bring some goodies.
     In addition to a variety of crafts and vendors, a full weekend of entertainment is planned.
     "We have a great music selection both Friday and Saturday including bringing back music all day long on Saturday this year.  Great local bands including Grindstone and Dan Strack and the Pro Pickers. Plus, top regional acts The Steve Miller Experience, Poison Overdose, and Almost Kiss in full makeup," Todd said.
     For more information on the Grain Valley Fair, visit http://www.grainvalleyfair.org or follow the Fair on Facebook (@grainvalleyfair).

     The 2021 Grain Valley Fair is in the books, and I have to say that it was a great one.  We loved seeing the large crowds come out and all the smiling faces having a good time after having to take 2020 off. 
     We were a bit rusty getting it all together, but with the help from a lot of people and the support of our great sponsors I think it was great.  We are already looking forward to 2022 and will work to make it even better.  Make sure to follow us on Facebook at Grain Valley Fair because we will be looking for suggestions for music for next year and any Fair info is always found first there.
     We do want to thank the following people who volunteered to help us at the Fair or in the planning process:
 
Steve, Carol, Tosha, and Harper Todd
Tasha, Matt, and Matthew Lindsey
Scott Shafer
Lynn and David Berend
Darren Mills
Cory Unrein
Brian Schoonover
Justin Tyson
and all the Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Staff, Public Works Staff, and Police Department who helped throughout.
 
     We also do not want to forget all our great sponsors who make everything possible with their support:
 
City of Grain Valley
Broadway Smiles Dental
T-Mobile
Drew’s Diesel
KC Cannabis
ASI
St. Mary’s Hospital
MO Country
Valley News
State Bank
Grain Valley Price Chopper
OOIDA
KAT Excavation
Spire
HCA CenterPoint Hospital
Keeports Remodel
beHome
EKC Cross Baseball
Sheet Metal Workers
Show-Me Hydro
Kohl’s Distribution Center
Nick Mortallaro State Farm
Grain Valley Edward Jones
Big O’s Rental
Blue Moon Lounge
Star Development
University Health Truman Medical Centers
Casey’s General Stores
Metropolitan Community Colleges
 
    Finally, we want to thank all of our vendors and food trucks for coming out to make it all a big success.  With all of these great things going on we go through a lot of trash and Lies is there every step to help us out with their continued support.  See everyone stating on September 9th 2022.
 

     The Grain Valley Fair will be held at Armstrong Park on September 10th and 11th, with the community parade held downtown on Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm.                
     The fair committee has planned a full weekend of entertainment for the entire family.
     “Bob Jovi and KCDC will definitely be something you won't want to miss. They are a couple of the top bands in KC.  We have more vendors this year than we had in 2019, so people will want to put some time aside to do some shopping. There are numerous boutiques, crafters, and direct sales booths. We also have a new carnival this year coming to us from Iowa so new rides and new inflatables that we haven't had before at the Fair. Plus the parade is always one of the largest events in Grain Valley for the year so having it back is great.”
     The community parade will be held Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm, with the parade beginning at the high school, heading north on Main Street, west on Walnut, and south on Kirby on the way back to the high school. Approximately 35 school and community groups will participate in this year’s parade. .
     For more information, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org and follow the Grain Valley Fair page on Facebook.
     For a full schedule of events, see page 2 of this week’s edition or visit www.grainvalleyfair.org.
 

     After having to cancel almost all events in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Grain Valley Fair committee is thrilled to open its fair next weekend. The Fair will be held at Armstrong Park on September 10th and 11th, with the community parade held downtown on Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm.
     It feels great and a little overwhelming to be back at it full blown.  After being off a year from the Fair we are a bit rusty.  You forget a lot of the little stuff that it takes to make it all happen and all the people that have to work together to pull it off.  You never know how much goes into it until you are involved,” Fair committee chair Mike Todd said.
     The committee has planned a full weekend of entertainment for the entire family.
     “Bob Jovi and KCDC will definitely be something you won't want to miss. They are a couple of the top bands in KC.  We have more vendors this year than we had in 2019, so people will want to put some time aside to do some shopping. There are numerous boutiques, crafters, and direct sales booths. We also have a new carnival this year coming to us from Iowa so new rides and new inflatables that we haven't had before at the Fair. Plus the parade is always one of the largest events in Grain Valley for the year so having it back is great.”
     The community parade will be held Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm, with the parade beginning at the high school, heading north on Main Street, west on Walnut, and south on Kirby on the way back to the high school.
     Volunteers are the backbone of the event, and additional volunteers are needed throughout the fair.  
     “We are always looking for volunteers.  With the number of vendors we have coming in we could definitely use help during vendor set up starting at 10:00am on September 10th.  We can also use volunteers during the fair hours for things such as vendor hospitality, first aid, helping us keep an eye on restrooms, and keeping an eye on trash,” Todd said.
     Volunteers may reach out via email at [email protected].
     For more information, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org and follow the Grain Valley Fair page on Facebook.
     “We also have a few other surprises we are working on right now that we will announce on Facebook so that is the best place to keep updated,” Todd said.