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.
​
"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 gvfair@gmail.com.
     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.
 

     The Board of Aldermen met for its rescheduled regular meeting via videoconference on December 21st.  Under New Business, the Grain Valley Fair was at the top of the agenda, with Mayor Johnston requesting a motion from the board to request financial records from the Grain Valley Fair board for all years the Fair received funds from the City. Johnston outlined several accusations related to the Fair Board, including misrepresentation of who actually serves on the Fair board and misuse of funds. Johnston stated current City Administrator Ken Murphy is listed as a board member, but Murphy was not aware he was a board member and had not attended meetings.
     Johnston accused Mike Todd, Fair board member and former mayor, of misuse of Fair funds, including diversion of fair funds for personal use. Additionally, Johnston questioned whether the Fair board was authorized to use funds received by the City in 2020 for food trucks that participated in the modified September 2020 Fair.
     Alderman Knox stated if money was used for food trucks in 2020, “they were doing what they could to salvage what they could do for the fair”.
     Pressed to disclose the source accusing Todd of misusing funds for personal use, Johnston stated former City Administrator Ryan Hunt shared the accusation with him during the mayoral campaign.
     The Grain Valley Fair received $5,000 in 2020. Due to the cancellation of the majority of the Fair due to COVID-19, funds received in 2020 will be used for the 2021 fair. Murphy indicated a new contract needed to be completed to outline this understanding for 2021. Alderman Cleaver asked how long the Fair has received funds from the City. The Fair began receiving annual $5,000 allotments in 2016, for a total of $20,000 through 2020.
     Johnston suggested the City request records for each year the Fair board has received funding. Johnston stated the City Attorney felt there was precedent to request financials related to the 2020 contract, but questioned whether the Board had a right to request records for all years the Fair received funds from the City. Murphy added Todd sent a monthly reconciliation report in spreadsheet form for 2020.
     Alderman Stratton referenced ongoing disagreements between Johnston and Todd and asked if the request for a motion was related to the “ongoing spat between you and the Grain Valley Board president”.
     “How much is coming from personal (issues) and how much is really there,” Stratton asked.
     “I feel we have definite grounds to question,” Johnston said.
     Once again, Johnston outlined his concerns regarding the confusion regarding who actually serves on the board versus the board listing provided on reports to the State of Missouri.
     “We have a duty to see what the money is going for,” Johnston said.
     Reached for comment during the meeting, Todd shared his response to the accusations.
     “As for the food trucks, there were expenditures for Food Truck Friday Nights from the Fair bank account. The thing is, no city money was spent on the food trucks. We had some sponsors for the food trucks and that money came from there and from other Fair Sponsors. The Fair doesn't depend on just the City money, so we do raise other money as well.  To say we were in violation of a contract with the City because we spend some money on food trucks is stretching it.  Under that thought, any money spent by the Fair could be micromanaged by the Mayor,” Todd said.
     “As for the board members, we have always had the City Administrator as a board member since there was a donation from the City. It must have been a verbal agreement back when we started this, because after looking into it further, it doesn't say it is a requirement from the City's contract.  If the city doesn't require a rep on the board, that is totally fine, and I will make that change or see if an elected official wants the spot.”
     “As for the accusations of stealing money from the Fair, I'm completely blown away. I gave the board our reconciliation form for the year and have the bank statements ready for their review as well, so they can see everything matches up if they want. To accuse me of being a thief in a public meeting based on hearsay from a former employee who was unhappy with me is borderline slander, if not slander.  This ‘info’ was apparently given to him to use against me in an election that was supposed to occur last April. I really don't know what more to say about it.  I'm pretty upset about it,” Todd added.
     “The bottom line is that I feel this is political retaliation on his (Johnston’s) part. It's no secret this isn't his first time going after me for something.”
     Johnston asked for a motion to request financial records from the Fair committee and was answered with silence from the Board. Hearing no motion, Johnston stated he was “disappointed that you don’t feel that we should review city spending and contracts,” and moved on to the next agenda item.
   In other business, the Board approved several resolutions and ordinances, including:

• Resolution to approve an agreement with Oak Grove Animal Clinic to provide animal care, boarding, and related services to animals taken into custody by the Grain Valley Animal Control officer;
• Resolution to approve a contract with Grain Valley Schools to provide meals for monthly senior luncheons;
• Ordinance approving a conditional use permit for a medical marijuana infused products manufacturing facility on approximately 6 acres;
• First reading of an ordinance changing zoning on approximately 16.6 acres from District M-1 (Light Industrial) to District R-1 (Single Family Residential) and approximately 8.4 acres from District M-1 to District R-2 (Duplex Residential) to allow the continued development of single family from Eagle Ridge Estates and the duplex development from Eagle Ridge multi-family that are west of this area.

     The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held January 11, 2021 at 7:00pm. 

     While this year’s Grain Valley Fair will be missing the traditional carnival and parade, organizers have made an effort to provide plenty of family fun this weekend.
     Dubbed the “Not Fair” Fair in recognition of the modifications required due to COVID-19, the event will still feature many of the typical fair favorites at Armstrong Park. The Grain Valley Fair committee is utilizing the  generous space available at Armstrong Park to allow for plenty of social distancing for attendees.
     Grain Valley Fair committee member Mike Todd said the biggest obstacle this year was working to ensure Jackson County would approve their plans and allow the fair to continue.
     “We had to submit a pretty detailed plan to them in order to get the approval and that plan has changed a couple of times over the last couple of months.  We were really thinking when this all started at the beginning of summer that the requirements would be eased some, but in some cases things have gotten more strict,” Todd said.
     Food Truck Friday Night will kick off the event from 4:30pm—7:30pm. Todd said there will be more trucks than usual this Friday than usually featured at the Friday night event.
     The Grain Valley Partnership will host a modified beer garden on Friday and Saturday.
     Local band, Lake Love, will perform at 6:00pm on Friday.
     “Lake Love is composed of local Grain Valley High School students. They are playing for tips only so let's make sure Grain Valley shows them the love,” Grain Valley Partnership Executive Director Tasha Lindsey said.
     The “Not Fair” Fair continues Saturday, September 12th, with a selection of non-food vendors from 11:00am—5:00pm and food vendors from 11:00am—7:30pm.
     “For a lot of these vendors, this is one of only a few events that they can do this year, so we would love to be able to support them.  Most of them are local,” Todd said.
     “We have timed our activities to help with the crowd size. The activities are spread apart to ensure that we cover as much of the area as possible and limit the amount of people in an area at one time,” Lindsey said.
     “We need to make sure that we are thinking of others. Wear a mask, social distance and have fun. We are very fortunate that we are able to have this event so let's all play by the rules.”
     “Bring your yard chairs or blankets for a picnic. There are tables available and we will be spacing those to meet the requirements so that we can be social distanced. We will be disinfecting the tables to ensure that we are providing a safe and clean environment for everyone. Even though we can't bring in a carnival or activities for the littles, we have the park and feel this is a great family event,” Lindsey said.
 

     To make light of a tough year for fairs, carnivals, and just about any public gathering, the Grain Valley Fair Committee asked residents to suggest a new name for this year’s modified fair. Many suggestions were offered via social media with similar themes involving social distancing, masks, and the unfairness of the situation.
     Natalie Knox suggested “The No Fair! Fair” and won a $50 dining credit at the fair for her creativity.
     The Grain Valley Fair is scheduled for Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th at Armstrong Park. The carnival and parade have been canceled, as have most of the non-food related vendors. Food trucks will be on site on Friday evening and Saturday. A select number of non-food related vendors are planned for Saturday as well.
     The 3rd Annual Grain Valley 5K is accepting registrations for both its in-person and virtual options. For more information on the Fair and the 5K, visit www.grainvalleyfair.com.