It's Summer in Kansas City and that means Festivals! Whether you fancy a good old fashioned county fair, or an ethnic festival with delicious delicacies, or something a bit more out of the ordinary... there is something for everyone! This is our guide to Festivals in the Kansas City area (a few of these are Day Trips in Missouri and Kansas) for July 2011!
Note: This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. Please email kristina@kcparent.com if you have an addition to this list.
Parkville 4th of July Festival June 30-July 3, English Landing Park. Carnival, Parade, and Fireworks at 9:45pm on Monday in celebration of the 4th of July! 816.505.2227 www.parkvillemo.org/independenceday.html
KC Riverfest July 1-3, Berkley Riverfront Park. Since 2005, KCRiverFest has been recognized as Kansas City’s premier Independence Day Festival on the Missouri River. Hosted by the Friends of the River-KC (FOR-KC) and produced by EventPros Inc., KCRiverFest at Berkley Park is known as the only place in downtown Kansas City to celebrate the Fourth of July with spectacular fireworks, amazing food and world-class family entertainment. 816.960.3400 www.kcriverfest.com
Great Midwest Balloon Fest July 8-10, Great Mall of the Great Plains, Olathe Kansas. More than 50 hot air balloonists from all over the country will converge on Kansas City to compete for fun and prizes. This family-oriented weekend will include balloon glows and competitions, music and more. www.greatmidwestballoonfest.org
Amelia Earhart Festival July 15-16, Atchison Kansas. 15th annual celebration of the life of the famed aviatrix. Friday evening LakeFest outdoor concert at Warnock Lake features Darius Rucker and two opening acts. Other highlights include a downtown fair with arts & crafts, live entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities, panel discussions with authors and researchers, award luncheon, carnival rides, aerobatic performances, aviation displays and spectacular fireworks over the Missouri River. Tip: Read our Atchison Day Trip Tips for more ideas! 800.234.1854 www.atchisonkansas.net
Cass County Fair July 12-17, Cass County Fair. The Cass County Fair continues to grow and attract bigger crowds for such events as: The Motocross, a Wednesday night Arena Concert, the Demolition Derby, nightly entertainment in the Miller Pavilion, The Southern Fun Carnival, the high powered Tractor Pull and of course 2 nights of MRCA sanctioned rodeo.
www.pleasanthill.com/index.aspx?NID=68
Family Festival: Ferment! July 17, 1-4 PM Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Mark your calendars for an amazing afternoon of family-friendly activities! The annual Kansas City Sculpture Park summer celebration will feature a brilliant 56-foot sculpture installation (Roxy Paine’s Ferment), a commissioned performance by Owen/Cox Dance Group and programming related to conservation and the natural environment. Tip: Print out our Nelson-Atkins Scavenger Hunt for more fun while you're there! www.nelson-atkins.org
Platte County Fair July 20-23, Platte County Fairgrounds. Old-Fashioned County Fair - Games, Rides, Carnival, Food, Music and More! The fair has been an annual event in our community since the first fair in 1863. It is recorded as being the oldest continuously operating fair west of the Mississippi River. The fair draws participants and spectators from a 100-mile radius, and in some cases even further. 816.431.FAIR www.plattecountyfair.com
KC Fringe Festival July 21-31, Off Center Theatre, Level 3, Crown Center Shops. Now in its seventh year, the KC Fringe Festival is a city-wide celebration of local, regional and national artists. 816.516.4750 www.kcfringe.org
Wyandotte County Fair July 26-30, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. Old-Fashioned County Fair - Games, Rides, Carnival, Demolition Derby, Food, 4-H Events, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Music and More! 913.788.7898 www.wycofair.com