Good morning, Overland Park.

The Johnson County Fair in Gardner is underway this week and offers carnival rides, animal shows and a parade for families.

Carnival rides run Wednesday through Friday from 6-11 p.m. and Saturday from 4-11 p.m.—tickets are required while animal contests begin at 9 a.m. and the parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

On July 23, a Boston private equity firm purchased 119 JCPenney stores, including the Oak Park Mall location at 11801 W.

95th St. in Overland Park, for $947 million in an all-cash deal. Newmark led the marketing process and the nonrefundable agreement is set to close before September 8 — USA Today reported that some stores may remain open.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid partnered with Jared Niemeyer of Jared’s Jams to launch a boysenberry jam that will donate a portion of each sale to Special Olympics—he first met Niemeyer at a Special Olympics event five years ago.

The product is now available for purchase.

Federal agents raided two El Toro Loco restaurants in Lenexa and Kansas City on July 30—detaining at least 12 workers at 11 a.m.—under a criminal search warrant for labor trafficking, according to Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation.

Kansas DCF announced on Wednesday it will deny the USDA request for SNAP applicants’ personal details gathered from January 1, 2020 to July 30—officials said releasing this data would risk the privacy of many Kansans relying on SNAP.

Homeowners in the Kansas City metro are facing crumbling driveways after winter due to a new concrete mix called Portland 1L that uses limestone & requires different installation techniques.

The local home builders association said it will soon host training sessions to help contractors improve their practices and avoid further damage.

Pilates and Plunge Family Day

10-11 a.m. — Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park — Free entry — Sweat, stretch, and splash with a fun-filled family event featuring pilates and bubbles for kids.

Innovation Festival

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Overland Park Convention Center — $50-$600 — Explore biosciences through panels, art, sensory experiences, and competitions.

VMware vSphere 8.0 Skill Up Training/Class

VMware vSphere 8.0 Skill Up Training/Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — HeartTraining, LLC — $2400 — Enhance your IT skills with expert-led VMware training in Overland Park.

Painting with a Purpose - Overrun Ovarian Cancer

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — $40 per person — Enjoy a fun painting party while supporting ovarian cancer awareness.

MCoR to KC in '25

August 22-23 — Holiday Inn & Suites Overland Park-West — Cost varies — Experience model train workshops, contests, and fun activities in Overland Park.

Rowling with Heartstrings and Inclusion Connections

7-9 PM — Bowlero Overland Park — $250 for three — Enjoy an evening of bowling with special needs employees while supporting two nonprofits.