What started as a fleeting thought has turned into something special. Really special.
About a decade ago, a couple of members of the then Downtown Olathe Business Association started a small get together in the heart of our city. They decided to bring a food truck into downtown Olathe on a Friday evening or even a Friday afternoon.
It gained some steam, but needed a bit of a shot in the arm. Enter the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Olathe CVB took over management of the event, branded it Fourth Fridays and it’s been growing ever since.
Our first official Fourth Friday event was in May of 2016 and featured a couple of food trucks over lunchtime. There were long lines, but a lot of promise that afternoon.
Fast forward eight years and the May 2024 Fourth Friday event brough more than 6,500 people into the heart of our suddenly ever-changing downtown.
Kelly Peetoom, the Vice President of the Olathe Chamber’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, is thrilled with how the event has progressed, but a bit taken aback with the success.
“Honestly, we never could have imagined what this event has turned into,” Peetoom said. “We started with maybe 200 people, two food trucks and a DJ hooked up to a tiny generator.
“It’s just amazing what it’s become.”
Another 6,000 made their way to the June Fourth Friday and close to 6,500 for the August event. That’s close to 20,000 people this summer.
It’s not an overnight success story, though. It’s been a lot of hard work. The pandemic didn’t help matters, either. And we even had to relocate to the Olathe City Hall parking lot while the old courthouse was being demolished on the county square.
Through it all, the Olathe CVB has persevered and thrived.
Word of mouth, social media blitzes and some pretty darn good bands have helped grow the event that has become a destination for many Olathe residents – and even residents from across Johnson County and the KC Metro area – during the dog days of summer.
Bands that took the stage for us this summer were
- May 23 – Bob Jovi with Just What I Needed (A Cars Tribute)
- June 28 – The Stolen Winnebagos
- 23 – JAM: Jackson & Mars (A tribute to Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars)
Not only was the main stage on the Johnson County Square busy with the headliners, but we were able to help facilitate a second stage down at the Junque Drawer Boutique at the corner of Cherry and Cedar streets.
This year’s events stretched three full city blacks from Santa Fe all the way down to Cedar Street along Cherry Street. We had anywhere form 12-15 food trucks each month this summer and offered adult beverages at a beer garden.
One of the biggest and best innovations in 2024 was the small business expo we created along Cherry Street from Loula to Cedar. More than 40 booths of businesses – large and small – sold their wares and promoted their companies at the Fourth Friday events each month.
“Our downtown is in the midst of a transformation, and we love showcasing it to these great crowds,” Olathe Chamber CEO Tim McKee said. “And being able to offer our members the opportunity to showcase themselves at the small business expo is the cherry on top.”
The events featured car shows, children’s activities and plenty of family fun.
A huge thank you to our Fourth Fridays presenting sponsor, Honda of Olathe/Subaru of Olathe, and our gold sponsors, the City of Olathe, Communities that Care, Azura Credit Union, Fry Orthodontics, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and LeBlanc & Associates.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2025. See you then.
About the Olathe Chamber of Commerce
The Olathe Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber in Johnson County and the second largest chamber in the Kansas City metropolitan region. It has received Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – a designation obtained by only 1 percent of the nation’s chambers. Its vison is to be the voice of business that advances the economic well-being and quality of life in Olathe. Its mission is to foster a progressive community through inspired leadership, balanced economic growth, highest educational opportunities and responsive government to ensure a quality family business environment. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @OlatheChamber.
About the Olathe Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Olathe Convention and Visitors Bureau is a division of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and works in conjunction with the City of Olathe to promote awareness about our community. Olathe is the home of big city adventures and small-town escapes.
