e-Merriam Udates...Your Source for Civic News!

May 16, 2009

In this issue:		Click here for a printable copy of this issue.
-	Free Family-Friendly Fun in Merriam on Saturday!
-	Merriam Kicks Off Energy Challenge!

Having fun this weekend around Kansas City won’t be hard for even the most budget-conscious families! There are a number of different events going on this Saturday which are FREE (or at least pretty inexpensive).

Summertime fun returns...Saturday, May 16, 2009! Merriam is holding its Turkey Creek Festival on Saturday. Head to Antioch Park for arts, crafts, a little red train ride, pony rides, exotic petting zoo, moon walk, 23′ double inflatable slide, an obstacle course, a roving magician and a balloon artist and caricaturist. There will be pedal boat rides and kid-friendly concerts, a parade at 11:00 AM, and FREE concerts throughout the day (Mr. Stinky Feet will perform at noon; The Duovers at 1:00 PM; and Pompous Jack at 3:00 PM).

For information visit www.merriam.org/park, or to download a schedule of events, click here!

All activities (except 5K Run) take place at Antioch Park (6501 Antioch Road). The day is filled with fun events for everyone to enjoy. Choose from the many activities listed below:

Schedule of Events:
7:00 - noon	Pancake Feed at Antioch Park (Shelter #1) sponsored by Merriam-Shawnee Noon Lions Club - tickets available at the door: Adults $5; Children 12 & under $3
8:00 AM	5K "One Less Hill of a Run" - Sanctioned by Mid-America Running Association, as a Grand Prix Race, proceeds benefit Merriam Parks, Recreation, and Community Center Foundation. Runners and walkers receive T-shirt, post race refreshments, goody bag. Register at Irene B. French Community Center, online at www.active.com or call (913) 322-5550 to request an application. For details visit our website.
11:00 AM - noon	Festival Parade - "Celebrate Volunteers -- The Spirit of Community!" - traveling north on Antioch Road from 69th to 64th Terrace, featuring: fly over by the Commemorative Air Force (heart of America Wing), 2009 Grand Marshal Pauline Smith, floats, drill teams, dancers, clowns, antique cars, and a host of the ever popular Abdallah Shrine parade units. Great viewing spots along Antioch Road.
10:00 AM - 5:00pm	Activities in Antioch Park - The ARTS ZONE- “Summertime Arts and Crafts Sale” regional artisans displaying their original creations including: stained glass, baskets, pottery, photography, jewelry, woodworking, wearable art, and garden art. Kansas City Kite Club will be displaying some static kite displays. The KIDS ZONE- On-going CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES (most are FREE) “Build a birdhouse" clinic sponsored by Merriam’s Home Depot store, little red train ride, pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables roving entertainers, and pedal boat rides sponsored by the Merriam Kiwanis Club.

FREE CONCERTS! From noon to 5:00pm enjoy the sounds of these local artists at various locations in the park:
noon	"Mr. Stinky Feet & the Hickcups"
1:00 PM	"The Duovers"
3:00 PM	"Pompous Jack"
The Food Zone - Good things to eat... Concession booths featuring new and different delectable treats, such as gyros, pitas, quesadillas, brats, kettle corn, strawberry shortcake, and old favorites such as: turkey legs, lemonade, hot dogs, cotton candy and funnel cakes. You won’t go away hungry!

THE TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL IS PRODUCED BY THE CITY OF MERRIAM, KS.
For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 913-322-5550 or visit their website at www.merriam.org/park.

Ready to save money, save energy, and help Merriam win?

This Saturday, May 16th at the Turkey Creek Festival in Antioch Park, residents can explore types of energy-efficient light bulbs, learn home weatherization tips, sign up for KCP&L’s energy-efficiency programs, and put money back in their wallets.

And the bonus? By saving energy in their homes, Merriam residents will be helping their city to win the Take Charge Challenge – a competition between 6 Kansas towns to reduce their electricity use over one year.

At the Take Charge Challenge booth in Antioch Park, residents of Merriam will learn energy saving tips from KCP&L, Home Depot, and the Climate and Energy Project. In addition to getting a coupon for a free energy-efficient light bulb, residents can also enter a raffle for a "10 under $10" package- a bucket of low-cost energy saving products from Home Depot!

So come kick off the Take Charge Challenge and help Merriam win!

Saturday, May 16th
10 AM – 5 PM
Antioch Park
(6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, KS)

Merriam is competing against Quinter, Salina, Mount Hope/Haven, Wellington and Kinsley in the Take Charge Challenge – a friendly competition to reduce their electricity use over one year, beginning this month. The town that wins the Take Charge Challenge will receive a Wind for Schools turbine, solar panels for a civic building or cash to complete a civic energy efficiency project.

The City of Merriam is partnering with KCP&L and the Climate and Energy Project (CEP) of the Land Institute to help Merriam win. Philips Lighting is also supporting the Challenge with a website where Merriam residents can enter the number of light bulbs they’ve switched to energy efficient CFLs at: www.TakeChargeKansas.org.