ShawneeDispatch.com

The Legends at Village West shopping center kicked off its grand opening of several new stores with music and a lot of sun on Saturday.

For the thousands of people who came there were many events to participate in and watch, including the Kansas City Marching Cobras, a balloon artist, several bands throughout the day playing music ranging from bluegrass to reggae to pop, and fashion advice and autograph signing by Robert Verdi of the cable television show, "Fashion Police."

The biggest draw of the day may have been the 7 p.m. concert by the Counting Crows, for which people began staking their locations in the parking lot two hours before.

For families with young children the day's temperatures in the high 80s may have increased the appeal of the center's new, two-tiered fountain, which shoots water as high as 60 feet.

Robert Bennett of Roeland Park sat with his 8-year-old son, Dakota, as he dried off after playing in the large, many-jetted fountain.

Dakota said his favorite part of the day had been bowling at Pin-Up bowl and playing in the fountain.

Jim Harriss, Kansas City , Kan., came to the center with his family, including 4-year-old daughter, Haley, who also enjoyed playing in the fountain. Harriss said he'd been to the center before.

"It's cool here -- I like it," he said.

Harriss said the new fountain was probably his favorite part of the center now.

Bernice Blakeney, Overland Park, may have appeared to be just watching people and enjoying the sun late Saturday afternoon, but in fact, she was working.

Blakeney is an image consultant for the Wilhelmina I & I modeling agency and was sitting outside the T Rex Restaurant scanning the crowd for photogenic shoppers, though she hadn't had much luck.

Blakeney said she thought Dave & Buster's would be successful at the center.

"That'll be a hangout spot," she said.

Deputy Chief Samuel Breshears of the Kansas City, Kan. Police Department said the day had been trouble-free for the approximately 40 officers on duty for the day's events, which included a combination of off-duty police officers working security as well as KCK police officers on duty.

"There's been absolutely nothing but a lot of happy people" who complimented the stores and quality of service, Breshears said.

By about 6 that evening, Breshears said he estimated the shopping center's expected attendance of 8,000 to 10,000 people had nearly been filled.