Junior League of Johnson and Wyandotte County partnered with Johnson County Parks and Rec After School Program in the first annual Hot Air Ballon Festival Competition and Auction. 45 Schools from around Johnson County created handmade hot air balloons with the theme of Lights ON after School program. Each school had kids ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade create one of a kind balloons to be displayed in U.S. Bank branches and other businesses around the KC Metro. During the Great Midwest Balloon Fest, the creative balloons will be displayed for auction. There will be a silent auction where anyone can bid on the balloons throughout the festival. The auction will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening. All proceeds of the auction will benefit Bethel House,the designated charity of the Junior League of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. Bethel House is a food pantry and after-School program in Wyandotte County.
The participating schools are as follows:
- Belmont Elementary
- Clear Creek Elementary
- Horizon Elementary
- Mize Elementary
- Prairie Ridge Elementary
- Riverview Elementary
- Starside Elementary
- Edgerton Elementary
- Gardner Elementary
- Grand Star Elementary
- Madison Elementary
- Moonlight Elementary
- Nike Elementary
- Sunflower Elementary
- Westwood View Elementary School
- Trailwood Elementary School
- Tomahawk Elementary School
- Sunflower Elementary School
- Santa Fe Trail Elementary School
- Rushton Elementary School
- Rosehill Elementary School
- Roesland Elementary School
- Rising Star Elementary School
- Rhein Benninghoven Elementary School
- Ray Marsh Elementary School
- Prairie Elementary School
- Pawnee Elementary School
- Overland Park Elementary School
- Oak Park-Carpenter Elementary School
- Nieman Elementary School
- Mill Creek Elementary School
- Merriam Park Elementary School
- John Diemer Elementary School
- Highlands Elementary School
- East Antioch Elementary School
- Crestview Elementary School
- Corinth Elementary School
- Comanche Elementary School
- Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
- Brookwood Elementary School
- Broken Arrow Elementary School
- Briarwood Elementary School
- Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School
- Belinder Elementary School
- Apache Elementary School