Two popular and free family-oriented JCPRD fall special events will take place Oct. 31, although some changes have been made because of the ongoing pandemic.

The events are the annual Mildale Farm Fall Fest as well as the Lanesfield School Fall Open House at the Lanesfield Historic Site. Sites for the events are about three miles apart in southwestern Johnson County, and both events are free. 

“The 2020 Mildale Farm Fall Festival will look a little different due to COVID-19, but we are excited to move forward with a socially distanced event for all ages,” said Facility and Hospitality Specialist Sarah Vogelsberg.  “The festival will require pre-registration for a timed session of 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.”

This year’s attendance will be limited to 200 attendees per session.  Register at JCPRD.com/182/Mildale-Farm-Fall-Fest.  Each individual family member that will be attending the event will need to register.  

This annual event gives participants access to the approximately 90-acre rental property in southwest Johnson County which are actually part Big Bull Creek Park, but are accessible as by reservation and for two public special events each year, including the Fall Fest. Visitors will be directed to park near Mildale Farm’s main barn. Participants are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket as well as a picnic or sack lunch to enjoy on the grounds. Activities will include a pumpkin patch, use of fishing poles and tackle supplied by Cops & Bobbers, a kite show, and performances by the musicians from KC Symphony.  Quartets or quintets from the symphony will perform on the circle drive by the main barn at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. All activities will take place outside.

Catch-and-release fishing in any or all of the ponds within the 90-acre area is allowed during Fall Fest. While district fishing permits have been waived for this event, anglers 16 and older need to have a Kansas state fishing license. 

Physical distancing and safety are a top priority.  This event will follow guidelines provided by Johnson County Health and Environment and the CDC. Participants are asked to wear a mask, physical distance, and utilize the hand sanitizing stations throughout the property. 
 
Restrooms will be available, but the property’s two homes and other outbuildings will not be open during this event. The centerpiece of the Mildale Farm property is the high-quality equestrian-style barn, which features peg construction and a hand-laid brick floor. Though designed with an equestrian motif, the barn has never been used for keeping animals. The barn is available as a rental location for social functions, including weddings, family gatherings, and other social and business events. Inquiries regarding information or reservations for Mildale Farm should be directed to Sarah Vogelsberg at (913) 826-2957.

Sponsors for this event include Olathe Health Systems, Furniture Mall of Kansas, and Renewal by Anderson. 

Mildale Farm is located at 35250 W. 199th St., Edgerton. Due to road construction in the area, visitors should take Interstate 35 to Exit 205, Homestead Lane, where they will turn onto Homestead Lane, and then turn left on 199th St. and follow it to Mildale Farm which will be on the right.

During the Lanesfield School Fall Open House event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants of all ages can experience life as a student in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1869 and restored to its appearance of 1904. Meet our costumed teacher and have old-fashioned fun with hands-on activities.

Visitors can dance to the Missouri Town Band, and play outdoor games. 

Activities will be spread out to maintain social distancing, masks will be required, and high-touch surfaces will be sanitized regularly. Preregistration is not required.

Lanesfield Historic Site is located at 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton, which is about three miles from Mildale Farm via US Highway 56 to 191st St. to Dillie Road. The Lanesfield site is a one-room limestone schoolhouse, the last remaining structure in the former town of Lanesfield. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988. 

Live Well Age Well, a popular event presented each fall by JCPRD’s 50 Plus department, is going virtual this year. 

“Join us for two days of live virtual presentations, entertainment, and fun hosted via Zoom©,” 50 Plus Center Specialist Libby Scarborough said. “Presentations focus on ways to help you live life well. Local experts will engage on topics meant to provide tips, resources, and take-a-ways that are available online or right here in your community.  You won't want to miss our Virtual Health Screening and Vendor Resource pages that will be available on event days. Stay tuned in every day for a chance to win prizes with games of bingo being called both days!” 

This free event is now in its 10th year and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 9, in a virtual format. While the event is free, advance registration is required this year, as this program will be limited to 270 participants. An event bag with event details, resources, bingo card, and goodies will be available for pickup prior to the event for every participant who registers by Oct. 1.

From the comfort and safety of their own homes, participants will hear local experts engage on topics meant to provide tips, resources, and take-aways that are available online or in the community. 

Sessions planned for Thursday, Oct. 8, will include: Aging Services in Johnson County presented by Johnson County Human Services and Aging, Moving Target - Tips to Avoiding Scams and Reporting presented by the Johnson County Department of Information and Technology, a Live Cooking Demo presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, You Have the Power to Save Your Memory by Natural Grocers, Brain Games presented by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, and How to Stay Healthy this Winter presented by a board-certified internist at AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Deer Creek.

Presentations planned for Friday, Oct. 9, include: Online Library Resources presented by the Johnson County Library, What's New at the Museum? presented by the Johnson County Museum, Senior Living Panel presented by local housing professionals, Food and Mood presented by Rediscovering You!, Maintaining Muscle Mass presented by Natural Grocers, and a fitness demonstration presented by a JCPRD ACE & Silver Sneakers certified fitness instructor.

All presentations are subject to change. For updates, presentation times and information on specific speakers, visit jcprd.com/LiveWellAgeWell.

In addition, both days will also include live entertainment, live cooking demonstrations, opportunities to win prizes during bingo games, and Virtual Health Screening and Vendor Resource pages.

Those new to Zoom© will have an opportunity to test out the virtual platform and receive help prior to the event during free online practice sessions planned for Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6. To RSVP for these sessions, please call (913) 826-2975.

This event is being presented by JCPRD in partnership with gold sponsors Advent Health, the Shawnee Gardens Healthcare and Rehab Center, the Merriam Gardens Healthcare and Rehab Center, and Sunflower Health Plan. Premier event sponsors include Cigna, Dignity Memorial, Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Colonial Village, and Westchester Village of Lenexa.

Despite a shortened season and the implementation of COVID-19 safety measures, JCPRD’s hayrides for organized groups are still proving popular this year.

Outdoor Education Manager Bill McGowan said that as of Sept. 29, about 45 groups have signed up for this year’s hayrides, which will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday dates between Oct. 3 and Nov. 22 at Oak Ridge Parklands on the north side of Shawnee Mission Park, 7460 Ogg Road, Shawnee. No rides are being offered this year at Heritage Park.

“It’s a good start,” McGowan said of this year’s hayride registrations. “It’s going to be a beautiful fall. We recently got that nice rain and the fall color should be good.”

Hayrides booked so far have been scheduled for birthday parties and other family events, scout groups, church groups, cheerleaders and other school groups, a neighborhood party, and more. JCPRD’s separate Public Hayrides, which in past years have allowed individuals and families to participate in a hayride with other folks they don’t know, are not being offered this year.

This year’s organized group hayride offerings have been modified for physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices. 

“Our typical hayride is usually 25 people in a wagon, and up to 30 with kids, but due to COVID, but we’ve decided to go down to 20 to lessen the crowding in the wagons, and then they have to wear masks while in the haywagons,” McGowan said. “We’ll have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, and we’ll be sanitizing high-touch surfaces like the stairs and picnic tables. 

Hayrides will still conclude with a warm campfire where apple cider and marshmallows await.
“We’re requesting that they have one person in each group be a server and we’re providing them PPE to do that,” McGowan said.   

JCPRD hayrides are tractor-drawn, last approximately one hour, and are followed by a one-hour campfire. The cost is $8 per person or a minimum of $90 when there are 12 riders or less. There is a maximum of 20 people per wagon and one adult per ten children is required.

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance of the date of the hayride. Hayrides fill quickly, so please call early to assure your choice of dates. For scheduling and information, call (913) 831-3359.