The school year is here: KCPS to hold 3rd Annual Summerfest

Catalina Melgoza
Northeast News

Need a way to get the kids excited for heading back to school after a fun-filled summer?

Well, look no further. Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) will be hosting its annual Summerfest event this year on August 4 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event will include live music, athletic competitions, games and free food.

This is the third year KCPS has sponsored Summerfest. Last year around 500 people attended, and this year even more are expected to show up. The event is free to attend and open to the entire Kansas City community. Registered students will be able to receive a backpack, school supplies, and a KCPS uniform shirt.
Samara Crawford-Herrera works in the management office for family and community engagement with KCPS, and she says that she “looks forward to all of the health resources that will be available at Summerfest” this year. Kansas City Public Schools is partnering with Children’s Mercy for physicals and the health department for immunizations.

“For the district, helping children is very important and we make sure that their health needs are met,” Crawford-Herrera added.

Transportation services are provided to the annual Summerfest event. Shuttle stops will be located at East, Southeast, Northeast, Central, and Lincoln High Schools throughout the event, which will be located in the park next to the KCPS Board of Education building at 2901 Troost. A portion of Troost will be blocked off, as the event will span from 28th Street to 30th Street.

There will be plenty of resources for parents, from enrollment to physicals. Language interpreters will also be available for anyone who might have trouble speaking English. For children, there will be plenty of fun activities from educational games to video games. There will also be a basketball and soccer tournament for aspiring student athletes.

If you or anybody you know may be interested in helping out at Summerfest, you can apply online. To pre-register for Summerfest and reserve a backpack, sign up now at: https://www.kcpublicschools.org/Page/5808.