April is when the world starts to come alive again after its long winter sleep, It’s also a great time for special events, and JCPRD has a number of them planned for all ages this April.
April events include: The Game Show Showdown for 50 Plus; Breakfast with the Bunny for all ages; Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids; Soup, Salad, and the Strolling Strings for 50 Plus; and Superhero Saturday for all ages.
The Game Show Showdown will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at the Roeland Park Community Center. This 50 Plus program will fulfill the dream of hearing your name over the loudspeaker saying “you’re the next contestant, come on down!” Join in on this silly rendition of television game shows, everyone gets a chance to play. Refreshments will be served. The cost for one two-hour program is $10 per person for Johnson County residents or $11 for nonresidents. Cost of admission covers food and staff time to administer the game show program. No additional charge for games.
Breakfast with the Bunny for all ages is a drop-in program that will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Roeland Park Community Center. Participants can fill up on all-you-can-eat Chris Cakes pancakes, and then hop outside for pictures with the Easter Bunny. An egg hunt starts at 10 am sharp! The cost for this three-hour event is $7 per person in advance, or $8 per person on the day or the event.
Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids is also for all ages, and will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, in the parking lot at the Theatre in the Park. Parents are encouraged to bring their little ones to meet and greet trucks, tractors, construction, and city vehicles up close. They’ll have the opportunity to crawl, climb, and sit in the driver’s seat while visiting with the real-life operators of these vehicles. Admission to this three-hour event is free, but a donation of $10 per participant vehicle is suggested. Proceeds benefit the district’s Special Olympics and Special Populations programs.
Now in its fifth year, the
Soup, Salad, and the Strolling Strings event for 50 Plus and will take place beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the Matt Ross Community Center. Diners will enjoy a delicious lunch of soup, salad, and dessert while members of the talented Shawnee Mission North Strolling Strings play delightful melodies on a variety of stringed instruments including the violin, cello, bass, and viola. The cost for this 90-minute event, including lunch, is $16 per person for Johnson County residents or $18 per person for nonresidents.
Coming back for its second year is a fun event for ages three to six with an adult called
Superhero Saturday, which will take place beginning at 10 .m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Roeland Park Community Center. Costumes are encouraged for this action-packed morning where activities will include superhero training, a scavenger hunt, art activities, a photo opportunity, and a goodie bag!. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held indoors. The cost for one 90-minute event is $5 per child for Johnson County residents or $6 per child for nonresidents.
The Roeland Park Community Center is located at 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park. The Theatre in the Park is located in Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee. The Matt Ross Community Center is located at 8101 Marty St., Overland Park.
While JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for ages 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at (913) 826-3030 for space availability.