Spectators line up for Melvern’s annual Sunflower Fair parade. File photo by Jeff Burkdoll.

Ready for some summer fun? Melvern Sunflower Fair Days’ two-day schedule, July 21-22, 2023, has something for everyone, including the traditional baby show, farm animals, bingo, parade, food stand hamburgers, and homemade ice cream.

The fun gets underway Friday evening, July 21, 2023, as the Army National Guard sets up its climbing wall and inflatables are inflated in the park around 5 p.m. The cutest babies in Osage County will vie for the title at 6 p.m. at the Melvern Community Center, where homemade ice cream will be sold. Marais des Cygnes Valley High School seniors will have their food stand open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, in the park.

Saturday’s activities will feature the Sunflower Days Car Show on Main Street, kids races at the baseball fields, and a splash and play station set up by Osage County Fire District No. 3 to beat the late afternoon heat. Melvern’s Sunflower Days Parade winds into the evening, beginning at 7 p.m. – this year’s theme is “Saturday Night at the Drive-in” with prizes for the top three floats; line up begins at 6:15 p.m. Bingo and karaoke begin at 8 p.m. in the park.

Sunday morning, the annual celebration comes to an end with a community worship service at 10:30 at the community center.

See the complete schedule below or more information, search for Melvern Sunflower Fair Days on Facebook.

Melvern Sunflower Fair Days Schedule
July 21-22, 2023

Friday evening, July 21

• 5-9 p.m. – Army National Guard Climbing Wall
• 5-9 p.m. – Inflatables In the park ($5 arm bands per person)
• 6 p.m. – Baby show, Melvern Community Center
• 6 p.m. – Homemade ice cream, Melvern Community Center
• 6 p.m. – DeCavele’s Funny Farm Animals, 4-H barns
• 6 p.m. – Funnel cakes in the park (while supplies last)
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. – Lawhorn Gospel Blues in the park
• 8 p.m. – Bingo in the park

Saturday, July 22

• 8 a.m.-3 p.m. – Sunflower Days Car Show, Main Street
• 8 a.m.-noon – Farmer’s Market, 4-H barns
• 9 a.m. – Kids races at the baseball fields
• 11 a.m. – Alumni banquet in Melvern Community Center; doors open at 11, dinner at noon
• 1-4 p.m. – Dunk tank in the park
• 4-5 p.m. – Splash and play on Main Street provided by Osage County Fire District No. 3, Melvern
• 5 p.m. – Army National Guard Climbing Wall
• 5-7 p.m. – Kona Ice
• 5-9 p.m. – Inflatables in the park ($5 arm bands per person)
• 7 p.m. – Parade; theme “Saturday Night at the Drive-In”; line up at 6:15 p.m.; prizes for top three floats
• 7-9 p.m. – DeCavele’s Funny Farm Animals, 4-H barns
• 7 p.m. – Funnel cakes in the park (while supplies last)
• 7:30 p.m. – Homemade ice cream, Melvern Community Center
• 8 p.m. – Bingo in the park
• 8-10 p.m. – Open mic night, karaoke in the park

Sunday morning, July 23

• 10:30 a.m. – Community church service, Melvern Community Center