| For seventy consecutive years the Overland Lions Club has hosted a Community Fair. |
| Although there are reports that the Overland Lions Club held charity carnivals and picnics going back to the club's origination in the 1920's, the first documented fair was held in 1939. It was co-sponsored by the Overland Lions, the Thoman Boothe American Legion Post, and the Overland Business Men's Association. |
| In the beginning the fair was held at 2500 Woodson Road and featured such entertainment as Roy Queen & His Gang and KMOX radio personalities, Skeets & Frankie. Throughout the period the fair has been held at several locations, featuring a wide variety of entertainment. In recent years, some outstanding area bands have provided live entertainment in the Overland Lions Community Fair Beer Garden. |
| Over the years there has been a raffle for a new 1941 Studebaker, Beauty and Baby Contests, aerial bombs announcing the opening of the fair, and countless people enjoying the festivities. |
| The old Overland Business Men's Association dropped out in 1941 and by 1950 the Overland Lions became the sole sponsors of the fair. |
| For over forty years, with the exception of 2003, the fair has been held at its current location at Norman A. Myers Park. Park improvements in 2003 necessitated a temporary relocation to Woodson Road Park. When the fair made a successful return to Norm Myers Park in 2004, the park had undergone extensive improvements, some of which were financially supported by the Overland Lions Club. |
| The City of Overland has always been supportive in making the fair a success. The Public Works Department prepares the park and the Police Department provides security for the thousands of fairgoers that attend each year. The Community Fire Protection District graciously locates emergency equipment on the fairgrounds and offers assistance when needed. And the Overland Lions have established a mutually beneficial relationship with the recently formed Overland Business Association. |
| The mission of the Overland Lions Club each year is to donate all fair proceeds, after expenses, to the many causes we support; those dedicated to the blind and visually impaired, as well as many others within our community. To help defray our expenses, for the past several years we have sought sponsorships from area businesses. And the support we have received has been gratifying and continues to grow. |
| We hope you will attend the 2009 Overland Lions Community Fair. From the carnival rides, to the diverse food, to the live entertainment, for generations the Overland Lions Community Fair has offered family fun for all ages. |
