Discover Downtown

DEP Raises $12,600 & Celebrates the Big Dreams of Downtown Excelsior Springs!

September 27, 2024
Outdoor evening fundraiser event with string lights, featuring guests seated at round tables with black tablecloths, enjoying food and conversation. Catering stations are visible in the background, creating an elegant and festive atmosphere

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. (DEP) hosted a highly successful annual dinner last night, raising an impressive $12,600 in support of the ongoing revitalization and growth of Downtown Excelsior Springs. The evening was a true celebrate of the big dreams many have for our district and community, featuring inspiring stories, exciting team updates, and recognitions of the businesses and individuals who make our downtown vibrant and unique.

DEP Board of Directors posing together on a set of steps. They are dressed in various outfits, smiling, with a decorative building entrance in the background.

Executive Director, Lyndsey Baxter, began the evening welcoming attendees with the following statement, “At the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc., we’re passionate about creating a vibrant, thriving downtown that blends the charm of our historic past with the energy of exciting new opportunities. Our mission is simple: to revitalize Downtown Excelsior Springs into a place where local businesses flourish, residents feel a sense of pride, and visitors can’t wait to explore. Whether through innovative projects, engaging events, or collaborative initiatives, DEP is constantly working to transform our downtown into a dynamic hub for commerce, culture, and connection.”

We would also like to give a special thank you to Jason and Courtney Cole of the Excelsior Citizen for capturing the magic of the night with their photography. Their images allow us to share these moments with the entire community. We are grateful for their talent and dedication to helping us document not only this night of celebration, but all the other moments, too.

Celebrating Team Achievement and Progress

The evening also provided an opportunity to share updates and highlights for each DEP team, showcasing the incredible progress made over the past year and the exciting plans ahead.

A woman with glasses, dressed in a white and black patterned blouse, speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. She appears to be addressing an audience in front of a building with architectural details.

Carol Baxter shared that the Promotion Team successfully brought nearly 27,000 people to downtown events this year, including moving the Annual Wine Festival to the streets of downtown for the first time, resulting in a $120,000 estimated economic impact. They also introduced the “Lyrics on the Lawn” summer music series, which quickly became a favorite community gathering.

Jim McCullough shared that the BBQ & Fly-In on the River team welcomed 64 competitive BBQ teams and 5,000 visitors to Downtown Excelsior Springs during their 24th year. With an estimated $37,000 in economic impact, this event continues to be a model for other KCBS-sanctioned BBQ contests nationwide. The team is already hard at work planning for the 25th anniversary next year, promising even more excitement.

A man wearing an orange shirt with sunglasses on his head is smiling and speaking into a microphone at a wooden podium. He stands in front of a building entrance with a decorative design.
A man in an orange shirt holding a microphone and a clear cup is speaking while standing next to a wooden podium. He appears to be making a point, with the building’s architectural details in the background.

Keith Hudson shared that the Home Brew Contest doubled its number of participants this year after moving to the Hall of Waters Lawn. The event saw record attendance, and plans are underway to double participation again next year, making it a premier home-brewing event in the region.

Melissa Bartlett shared that last year’s Christmas events welcomed over 5,800 people to the Kick-Off and Lighted Parade and 16,000 visitors to the Lane of Lights. Through these events, $50,000 was raised, with over $11,000 donated back to other local organizations. This year’s theme, “Christmas in the Kingdom,” promises to be the most festive yet

A woman in a sleeveless blue dress speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. She is standing outside, with a building featuring intricate designs behind her.
A woman with curly blonde hair in a light green dress speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. She stands in front of steps leading to a building with decorative patterns.

Stacey Scherer shared that the Opal Wapoo Team is already preparing for the return of this iconic gravel race in 2025, with plans to welcome over 300 riders. Efforts are underway to develop sponsorship packages to help ensure this event’s continued success as it becomes a signature race in the cycling community.

Shelley Spear shared that the Design Team completed a comprehensive streetscape study, added 12 new planters to downtown, and secured bids for implementing the new wayfinding signage in Spring 2025. They’re also excited to launch the mini murals project soon and are working on developing Lithia Landing and a pocket park on Thompson Avenue.

A woman with short dark hair, wearing glasses and a navy blue outfit, speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. She stands outside a building with a patterned facade.
A woman with short curly hair in a black star-patterned dress speaks into a microphone at a wooden podium. She stands outside a building with an art deco-style design.

Jeanine Stubbs shared that the Organization Team was named at Missouri Main Street Connection’s Creative New Promotion for their Clay County ARPA Tourism Marketing Matching Grant that awarded nearly $200,000 to clay county tourism organizations. They successfully held monthly Merchant Mingles, and initiated a rebranding process for the organization. They are currently gathering feedback to develop the next strategic plan to guide DEP’s work over the next 3-5 years.

Stubbs also represented the Economic Vitality team and shared that by leveraging data from Placer.ai, the team tracked that Downtown Excelsior Springs welcomed over 377,000 visits from 104,000 unique visitors this year. They are working closely with the City to pursue a Community Development Block Grant to assist property owners with building upgrades, ensuring the continued growth of our downtown economy.

Baxter wrapped up the team updates representing the Website Team and shared that they implemented a $31,000 marketing plan, resulting in a 5% increase in website traffic compared to last year, and added several new features to the Visit Excelsior website, such as the “Stay In The Know” page. They’re also developing the 2025 Experience Excelsior Trip Planner and will soon launch a public art page to showcase our community’s creativity.

Award Winners Who Embody Our Downtown Spirit

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of excellence awards, where we had the plesure of recognizing outstanding contributions to our downtown district.

Huey’s Hidden Vault

Two women smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Outstanding New Business' presented to Huey's Hidden Vault during the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Outstanding New Business Award

Huey’s Hidden Vault was honored for their hard work, dedication, and the incredible energy they’ve brought to Downtown Excelsior Springs. As a husband-and-wife team, they’ve transformed their space into an upscale, welcoming gem that has quickly become a community favorite, with craft cocktails and cigars adding a level of sophistication to our downtown scene. Their commitment to creating something truly special is evident, and we are fortunate to have them as part of our community.

Vesta Hearth & Home

A man and a woman smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Retail Excellence' presented to Vesta Hearth & Home during the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Retail Excellence Award

Vesta Hearth & Home received recognition for capturing the essence of warmth and beauty in their business. Allen and Kerrie have shown remarkable passion in growing their business from a modest beginning into a thriving storefront. Their attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and stylish selections have filled a much-needed niche in our downtown, making their store feel like a home away from home.

Butterfly Kisses Boutique

Two women smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Retail Excellence' presented to Butterfly Kisses Boutique at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Retail Excellence Award

Butterfly Kisses Boutique has flourished from an incubated business into a vibrant storefront on Broadway. Owner Carol has rapidly grown her business with high-quality, trendy clothing and accessories that cater to all ages. Her dedication to connecting with customers both online and in-store has created a loyal following, and she serves as a shining example of what a downtown business can achieve.

Knit Ewe Together

A man and a woman smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Community Crafting' presented to Knit Ewe Together during the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event

Community Crafting Award

Knit Ewe Together was recognized for creating more than just a shop—owner Shawna has built a welcoming sanctuary for creativity, learning, and connection. Offering a space where people can slow down, craft, and bond, Shawna’s dedication to fostering a warm, inclusive environment has made her shop a place where friendships are formed, and confidence is built.

Slightly Off Broadway Theatre

Three people smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Cultural Impact' presented to Slightly Off Broadway Theatre at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Cultural Impact Award

Slightly Off Broadway Theatre was honored for their incredible achievement of becoming the full owners of their building at 114 N. Marietta. For over a decade, this theatre has been a cornerstone of the arts in our community, fostering local talent and enriching our downtown’s cultural fabric. We congratulate them on this milestone and for continuing to be a beacon of creativity in Excelsior Springs.

Casa Di Vite

A man and a woman smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Adaptability & Innovation' presented to Casa Di Vite at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Adaptability & Innovation Award

Casa Di Vite, led by owner Susan, has consistently evolved to meet the needs of our community. She transformed her upstairs space into an overnight rental and expanded her tasting room to include delicious food options, receiving glowing reviews. Susan was also recently awarded the Paul Bruhn Grant from Missouri Main Street Connection, demonstrating her commitment to improving her business and contributing to our downtown’s vibrancy.

Sturm Brother’s

A man and two women smiling, holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Community Spirit' presented to Sturm Brothers at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

Community Spirit Award

Sturm Brother’s Custom Design & Fine Jewelry was recognized for embodying the true spirit of community partnership. Whether it’s serving on the Design Team, planting flowers, or assisting neighboring businesses, they always step up to support Downtown Excelsior Springs. Their generosity and willingness to lend a hand make them an invaluable asset to our community.

Robbie Farabee

Two men smiling, one holding an Excellence Award plaque for 'Chalk Boss' awarded to Robbie Farabee at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership event.

“Chalk Boss” Award

The final award went to Robbie Farabee, our “Chalk Boss,” whose creativity has become an essential part of downtown. Robbie’s chalk masterpieces add life, color, and personality to our community, and his ability to personalize each piece with flair tells a story that enhances the charm of Excelsior Springs. We are lucky to have his talent and spirit enriching our downtown events and spaces.

This Year’s Diamond Winners

Sturm Brother’s Custom Design & Fine Jewelry made an incredibly generous contribution to the evening’s fundraising efforts by donating two beautiful diamond prizes for our fundraiser. Their support helped make the event a true success, and we are deeply grateful for their continued dedication to our community.

The highlight of the night was announcing the two lucky winners: Daphne Bowman took home a stunning set of two 0.5 carat round diamonds for earrings, and Melinda Mehaffy walked away with an exquisite round brilliant cut 1.22 carat diamond. Congratulations to both winners and thank you once again to Sturm Brother’s for adding such sparkle to our evening!

Two women standing together, smiling and showcasing a diamond prize from the Big Dreams 2024 Annual Dinner fundraiser. One woman holds a small, clear box containing a diamond along with a golden star marked while the other stands beside her.
Two women smiling and holding their diamond prizes at the Big Dreams 2024 Annual Dinner fundraiser. One woman holds a small, clear box displaying a diamond, while the other holds a golden star with the number '69' written on it.

Looking Forward

The success of this year’s annual dinner is a testament to the unwavering support and commitment of our community, volunteers, business owners, and partners. The $12,600 raised will help fuel our ongoing efforts to bring even more big dreams to life in Downtown Excelsior Springs.

From all of us at the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc., thank you for believing in our vision and helping make it a reality. Here’s to more growth, more celebrations, and an even brighter future for Downtown Excelsior Springs! Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!

Additional Event Pictures

A display table with gold star-shaped boxes numbered and arranged on a blue tablecloth, with signs indicating a diamond fundraiser. The sign offers options of purchasing 1 star for $50 or 3 stars for $100. A smaller sign in the background lists diamond specifications.
Two women standing outdoors, smiling at the camera while holding drinks. One woman is dressed in a black top with blue pants, and the other is wearing a blue jumpsuit. They are in a casual, social setting with people and buildings in the background.
A group of people seated around a table outdoors, engaged in conversation and enjoying themselves. The scene captures a relaxed social gathering with multiple tables and people in the background.
A man and woman standing together at a wooden podium. The woman, wearing a blue dress, is smiling while the man in a light gray polo shirt speaks into a microphone. They are positioned in front of a building with a decorative entrance.
A large group of people seated at multiple round tables outdoors in a park-like setting with string lights overhead. The background features a row of colorful buildings, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
Two women smiling at the camera, standing outdoors. One is wearing a black dress and holding a bottle of wine, while the other has curly red hair, wearing a white top and blue pants, holding a can. Trees and greenery are visible in the background.
A group of eight people seated around a round table outdoors during an evening event. They are smiling and enjoying their time, with food, drinks, and table decorations visible.
A group of women gathered around a table displaying a variety of cakes and desserts. They are pointing and discussing the items, with string lights illuminating the scene.
A group of six people seated around a round table outdoors during a nighttime event. They are smiling and enjoying the gathering, with drinks and papers on the table.
A man in a cowboy hat and patterned shirt gestures with his hand as he stands among seated guests at an outdoor evening event. The scene captures a lively and interactive moment with string lights overhead.
A group of six people seated around a round table at an outdoor evening event. They are smiling and enjoying drinks, with various beverages and decorations visible on the table. The scene is lit by ambient lighting, and there are trees and other guests in the background.
Two men and a young boy smiling at the camera while sitting outdoors with a laptop in front of them. The man on the left is wearing sunglasses and a light-colored shirt, the young boy is dressed in a white button-down shirt, and the man on the right is in a black shirt with sunglasses. A stone building and greenery are visible in the background.