OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The American Royal parade as well as the “fall festival” parades in Liberty and Overland Park was all cancelled Saturday. However, festivities that were scheduled for after the parades still took place.
Despite the parade being called off, the American Royal Rodeo was still on for Saturday night. And in Overland Park, the Fall Festival was in full swing despite a little bit of rain.
While a band sang of crystal clear skies at the Overland Park Fall Festival, a dark cloud hung above, but in no way did that dampen anyone’s mood.
“We love coming out here,” said Thomas Tsui, of the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant.
For the past 38 years, workers from the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant have set up a booth at this festival. But unfortunately this year, they say the untimely downpour affected their sales by at least 50 percent.
“It never rained. It rained the day before, it rained the day after but never on Saturday,” Tsui said.
Overland Park Public Information Officer, Sean Reilly, said a big reason for low attendance at the festival was the parade being called off beforehand.
“For the first time we’ve cancelled the parade. That’s something I’ve never seen before due to the threat of lightning,” said Reilly.
“Attendance is not as great because that is the single biggest event, most popular event,” he said.
Nonetheless those who came out for some fun made the most of the rain.
“We got ice cream and we got out face painted and stuff. And we kept going in there for shelter and stuff and just looked around,” said Corina Dopson, a festival attendee.
And the chefs at Dragon Inn said that without a doubt, they will be back again next year.
“We come every year and we are so happy. Even with the weather windy and rainy, people are still coming,” said Catherine Kot of the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant.
This was the 54th year the Overland Park Fall Festival has been held.
