School has started, the days are getting shorter and the smell of fall is in the air. With the new season comes an opportunity for fun, family events in Derby and the surrounding areas.

Art can be enjoyed no matter the season. The Gathering Space Gallery at the Derby Public Library features photography by members of the Wichita Camera Club now through October 30. The Artists Reception is Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars for Saturdays in September (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for the Superstars of Science at Field Station Dinosaurs. Meet experts in the fields of paleontology, geology and puppetry. Each Saturday a different Superstar of Science will be featured, including “Dino Don” who is a scientific adviser to Jurassic Park, Disney’s Dinosaur movie and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

How about a movie in the Park? The Derby Recreation Commission is showing Little Giants on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at High Park. Concessions will be available. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers, but no alcohol.

Join the Derby Farmers Market for Paint your Pumpkin Day on Sept. 22 from 7 a.m. to noon at Madison Avenue Central Park. Buy your pumpkins on site from local farmers and check out other Kansas-made products while you’re there.

Grab your lawn chairs and join your fellow Derbyites for the Derby High School Homecoming parade on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. The parade route is a bit different this year due to the fire station construction. The parade starts at Market and Westview, goes west to Georgie, north to Madison, east to Westview and back to Market.  

The next evening you can enjoy a mysterious expedition that will take you into a shadowy, prehistoric world where things may get a little scary when the lights go out at Dinosaurs After Dark. This event is 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 28. Go hunting for dinosaurs at the T-Rex Hunt along darkened trails with a few surprises along the way.

Finally, who doesn’t love a good bowl of chili in the fall? Check out the "No Rules" Chamber Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Madison Avenue Central Park. Chamber member businesses will make their best chili and compete for your votes! Tasting kits are just $5 each.

For more local events, visit DerbyKS.com and view the calendar. If you have a Derby event you’d like on the calendar, email JanaeSpringer@derbyweb.com with the details.

Kristy Bansemer
Communications Director

Published in the Derby Informer on Aug. 29, 2018