Tonight: Concert & Fireworks

July 19th @ 7pm, Riverfest Park

Get ready to "Ramblin' Man" your way to Riverfest Park! Our Country Roots Night & Fireworks Show is tonight, and you won't want to miss it. 

• 7pm - Food & vendors open, and the music starts with Unfit Wives, followed by Outlaw Jim & The Whiskey Benders
• 10pm: Fireworks show

FAQs:

• Are coolers allowed? Yes!
• Are dogs allowed? Usually yes, but because of the fireworks show, we'd prefer dogs be left at home
• Can we bring food? Yes, but we also have food vendors, Frenzel's BBQ, Pink Taco, The Lemonade Bar, Doleicious, & shaved ice!
• Are there bathrooms? Yes, bathrooms are available!

Movie in the Park: Barbie

Friday, August 2nd @ 8:45pm

Join us for a totally fabulous movie in the park on Friday, August 2nd, and step into Barbie's world with our Barbie-themed photo-op!

• Feature Film: Barbie
• Where: Miller Park
• When: 8:45pm

Meet Libby

We'd like to introduce our new Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Libby Johnson!

She filled a newly-created position that will help bring more communications and events to our community.

With her background in journalism and multimedia content creation, we’re excited to see the creative energy she will bring to the role.

If you see her out and about, say hello!

We're Hiring

Water Plant Operator

We're adding a Water Plant Operator to our team! This person performs a variety of skilled computer, laboratory, and field work, and ensures the proper operation of pumps, valves, motors, and other equipment for regulatory compliance.

If interested, view the full job description and apply here.

Official Ice Cream Flavor

Chocolate Chip

De Soto now has an official ice cream flavor of the year: chocolate chip!

During LearNature’s recent Summer Camp “Government Day” at City Hall, the young leaders and future voters participated in a “public hearing” and helped Mayor Walker make this very important decision.

The mayor solidified the decision with a proclamation at last night's City Council meeting.

Water Line Materials Survey

Under recent EPA regulations (called the Lead & Copper Rule), all water providers (like the City) are required to catalog the materials used in all water service lines — these are the pipes that deliver water from the City’s main water supply directly to your property.

The goal is to ensure that lead and copper levels in your entire water supply — from the Water Treatment Plant to your faucet — are controlled and within safe limits; we're happy to share that our Water Department has completed the City-owned service line material inventory!

The job isn't over though. We need your help to inventory the portions that run into your homes and businesses. Please help us build our records by completing a survey about your property's water service lines.

Visit our City Lead & Copper webpage for more information.

Soccer & Volleyball Deadline

Youth Soccer & Volleyball registrations are due tomorrow (Saturday)!



Youth Soccer

• Fee: $35.00
• For girls and boys ages 4 through 8th grade
• Participants will play a six-game schedule starting September 7th
• Practice will start mid to late August

Youth Volleyball

• Fee: $40.00
• For girls and boys in 3rd through 6th grade
• Participants will plan an eight-match schedule starting September 5th
• Practice will start mid to late August

Card Making Workshop

Join us for a fun card-making class where we’ll be crafting six unique cards for special occasions like birthdays and thank you notes.

• Date: August 8th, 6pm-7:30pm
• Fee: $15
• Registration Deadline: August 5th

Quilling Workshop

At our upcoming quilling workshop, you will learn techniques to create different shapes and patterns and how to put them together. This class is best for teens and adults as we will be working with small strips and pieces of paper.

• Date: August 28th, 6pm-7:30pm
• Fee: $10/person
• Registration Deadline: August 25th

83rd & Gardner Turn Lanes

Road work is underway at the intersection of 83rd & Gardner.

The improvements will widen 83rd Street to provide an east bound left turn lane onto Gardner Road in addition to providing an acceleration and deceleration lane for west bound traffic at Gardner Road. The work also includes the relocation of the existing water line along the north side of 83rd Street.

Traffic Signal Update

Lexington Ave & Commerce Drive



Due to an accident last month, the traffic signals at the intersection of Lexington & Commerce were temporarily replaced with a four-way stop; some of the signals were damaged, but all were removed to avoid confusion and ensure safety.

Today, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) began installing the new signals and expect them to be operational before school begins in August. Expect various lane closures around the intersection throughout the installation.

New EDC Executive Director

This week, the De Soto Economic Development Corporation (EDC) welcomed Tim Holverson, the new President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.

Of his new role, Holverson said, "I’ve been so impressed to see the City, the Chamber, and the EDC all working together to grow the community in a very intentional way that appreciates the community’s character and past, but recognizes the transformational opportunity for De Soto and the entire region.”

Welcome, Tim!

Dean Weller Car Cruise-In

This year's Dean Weller car event combines the tradition of the De Soto Days Car Show with the grand opening of the Force of Nature Brewery, located in Dean Weller's old Ford building. This free event invites car enthusiasts to park and showcase their vehicles.

Event Details:

• Date: August 10th
• Time: 10AM - 3PM
• Location: 33015 W 83rd St, De Soto

Special Activities:

• Raffle Ticket for Giveaways: Attendees who bring a canned good or nonperishable item will receive a raffle ticket for giveaways throughout the event.
• 50/50 Drawing: There will be a 50/50 drawing, with all proceeds benefiting the De Soto Food Pantry.

SFAAP Public Meeting

The U.S. Army held their annual public meeting on Wednesday, July 17th, where they discussed the cleanup progress at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant (SFAAP).

If you were unable to attend, the livestream is available here.

View the Army's project website here.