Featured Event: Summer Solstice Day of Wellness at the Arboretum

Summer solstice is a great opportunity to check in with your mind and body.

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens will host a spectacular event, the Summer Solstice Day of Wellness. Participate in various wellness activities from sunrise to late evening amidst the stunning backdrop of the Arboretum’s gardens and woodlands. Rejuvenate your body and mind as wellness instructors from across the Metro lead a range of classes and workshops.

The event begins with invigorating yoga sessions, followed by an exploration of herbal knowledge and Ayurvedic (a system of traditional medicine native to India) insights. The afternoon offers thrilling activities like partner acrobatics and a guided mindfulness walk through natural surroundings. Try your hand at a unique hooping workshop or close out the day with fire meditation and celebration. This spiritual practice allows attendees to reflect on the significance of the summer solstice, symbolizing the journey from darkness to light.

Throughout the day, visitors can also explore the vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local wellness vendors will showcase their products and services. The fair offers a great opportunity to learn more about healthy mind and body practices and connect with local businesses in the industry. The vendor fair is open to anyone visiting the Arboretum.

Whether you choose to spend the entire day or just a portion at the Summer Solstice Day of Wellness, this event promises to be a transformative experience. Mark your calendars, join the community and celebrate the longest day of the year in a truly uplifting and enlightening way. Remember, from darkness, light always emerges.

The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is an educational, recreational and cultural resource for the Kansas City region. At the Arboretum, you’ll experience meticulous gardens with more than 1,700 species of plants, wild hiking trails, an open prairie and different educational opportunities around every bend. It is located at 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park.

For more information about the Summer Solstice Day of Wellness, visit opkansas.org/arboretum.

Featured Event: Discover garden and nature-inspired creations at the Garden Thyme Marketplace

Calling all gardeners and would-be gardeners: You can shop more than ninety local and regional artists and tradespeople at the Garden Thyme Marketplace from June 19-21.

Marvel at countless interpretations of the world around us by creators of one-of-a-kind jewelry, pottery and ceramics, fiber art, photography, paintings and watercolors, and glass and metal art. Breathe in delicately scented bath soaps and lotions. Delight in specialty foods. And, of course, you’ll want to take home rare seeds and stunning botanicals. It’s also a great place to shop unique gifts for the nature lovers in your life.

The Marketplace takes place in conjunction with the International Master Gardener Conference, at the Overland Park Convention Center. Parking and admission is free.

Garden Thyme Marketplace Hours:

Monday, June 19 from Noon to 7:00 PM

Tuesday, June 20 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Wednesday, June 21 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 

For the complete list of all sellers at the Garden Thyme Marketplace, visit imgc2023.com.

The Garden Thyme Marketplace and International Master Gardeners Conference of 2023 are hosted by the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners of Johnson County. Volunteers preserve and beautify the environment and improve the quality of life in the community by providing current research-based horticultural information to the public.