Culture and music have always been intertwined. Experience it for yourself at SoJo Summerfest (June 17 & 18 at Corporate Woods Founder's Park in Overland Park, KS), a two-day showcase of local culture and the arts. Established in 1989, the festival formerly known as Jazz in the Woods, highlights the best the Kansas City area has to offer in live music, food and entertainment. Best of all, this FREE family-friendly festival donates all proceeds (from donations, sponsorships and concession sales) to local children's charities! Over the 26 year history of the event over $1,500,000 has been donated to local charities.
For a small donation of $5, attendees will receive a button with a flashing light that reads “I Light Up a Child’s Life.” Additionally, attendees can support these local children’s charities by purchasing $10 raffle tickets with a grand-prize of four round-trip tickets to anywhere in the United States from Delta Airlines plus a $500 travel allowance. As a bonus, the back of every raffle ticket includes a “buy-one-get-onefree” entrée offer at any of the three Kansas locations of Barley’s Brewhaus or the four Kansas locations of the Blue Moose Bar & Grill. The drawing for the grand prize will occur on the Meyer Music Main Stage at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 and the winner's name will simultaneously be posted on the SoJo Summerfest Facebook and Twitter pages.
The festival features a variety of music styles including Jazz, Blues, R & B, a U2 tribute band, an Elton John tribute band, Country Rock, Smooth Jazz, Pop, Irish-Celtic Rock, family friendly performers, and more with concerts beginning at 5:30pm each evening.
Here's the 4-1-1 for Fun at SoJo Summerfest:
What you Should Bring:
- You'll want to bring your own blankets and chairs for seating.
What you Should NOT Bring:
- Food and beverages (including alcohol) will be available for purchase, but outside food and drinks are not allowed. Visitors are encouraged to support the charity beneficiaries by making purchases and suggested donations of a few dollars at the event.
- Pets are not allowed at the event.
Where do I park?
There is no charge for parking and there are several parking lots available near the festival, all within easy walking distance.
For 2016, the SoJo Summerfest charity beneficiaries are:
Growing Futures Early Education Center
Growing Futures Early Education Center, formerly Head Start of Shawnee Mission, was founded in 1965 to provide children and families with high quality early education and comprehensive support services that empower them to be socially- and academically-ready for kindergarten and life. They offer Early Head Start, Head Start and Community Child Care options for children up to age 5, as well as their families. Enrolled families also have access to a variety of comprehensive support services that include health and nutrition services, mental health, dental health, family advocacy and family engagement opportunities.
Sunflower House
Founded in 1977, Sunflower House is a non-residential child advocacy and abuse prevention center serving Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. Their mission is to protect children in our community from physical and sexual abuse through education, advocacy, forensic and medical services.
Sunflower House addresses physical and sexual abuse with a compassionate, caring approach that engages children, parents, child service professionals and the community. An accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance, Sunflower House adheres to federal best practice standards in providing a safe, warm and child-friendly environment. Sunflower House also funds "P.S. It's My Body" Happy Bear curriculum to over 200 schools in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties to teach them to recognize, resist and report child abuse.
Operation Breakthrough
Operation Breakthrough is a nationally accredited, not-for-profit early education center founded in 1971 for children and their families living in Kansas City's urban core. The Center provides early learning and child care for children ages 0 - 5 and before-and after-school and full day summer activities for children ages 5 - 13. They also provide on-site medical and dental care, speech and occupational therapy, and mental health services for children. Food pantry, clothing closet, assistance with job and housing searches, support groups, parenting education and mental health services for families. A safe place for at risk children to learn and grow toward their great potential.
Future of Hope Fund - Overland Park South Rotary Club Foundation
This self-sustaining foundation created by the Overland Park South Rotary Club benefits children’s charities and furthers goodwill to those in need in the community. To date, the still-growing Foundation has contributed over $200,000 to small local charities that help children.