Kansas City's Summer Festival Guide
2018 Edition
It's Festival Season in Kansas City! From trendy boutique shopping to old fashioned county fairs, ethnic festivals with delicious delicacies and local barbecue festivals... there is something for everyone! This is our guide to Summer Festivals in the Kansas City area (a few of these are Day Trips in Missouri and Kansas).
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.
= Top Pick
June Festivals in Kansas City
Old Shawnee Days May 31 – June 3 at Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, 11501 W. 57th Street, Shawnee, KS. Enjoy a carnival, parade, live music and entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts and family fun.
Jazzoo June 1 at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO. Jazzoo is the Kansas City Zoo’s largest fundraiser and these adults-only event helps us feed and care for more than 1,700 animals and educate Kansas City youth through our Zoo Learning Fund. Once you purchase your ticket, all the food, drink and entertainment are free!
Sprint SummerFest June 1 & 2 at Belton Memorial Park, 602 Maurer Pkwy, Belton, MOBeer garden, food trucks, vendors, free outdoor concerts at 6:15 both nights, inflatable attractions, and fireworks presented Saturday night at 9:30 pm. Overflow parking will be available at the Assembly of God Church on 58 Highway.
Prairie Village Art Show June 1-3 at Prairie Village Shops, 71st Street & Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Annual Art Show featuring over 100 artists from across the country. Children’s activities, food, music and more!
Downtown Days June 1-3 at Downtown Lee's Summit, Lee's Summit, MO. Live entertainment featuring The Elders, carnival rides, sports & autograph booth, robotics demonstrations, festival food, handcrafted goods, and two beer tents featuring craft beer are part of this year’s festivities.
Festa Italiana June 1-3 at Zona Rosa, 8640 N. Dixson Avenue, Kansas City, MO. Unique celebration of Italian traditions and Italian-American culture. Enjoy an amazing assortment of Italian food favorites, a beer garden, an Italian Car Show, food eating contests and children's activities.
Capital City Family & Food Trucks June 2 around the Capitol building, Topeka, KS. Food trucks, vendors and more will be positioned around the Capitol -- from SW 10th Ave. between Harrison and Jackson and Jackson from 10th to 9th.
Enchanted Faire June 2 at Overland Park Arboretum 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS. Gnomes, Fairies, Goblins, and Sprites will be frolicking in the grove. Join them in your best-enchanted costume. Enjoy treats, entertainment, photo ops and merriment for the whole family at the Enchanted Fair. Entertainment included with admission, fees for treats and extras, cash only.
11th Annual Tomato Roll June 2 at Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. As people gather and settle in to watch the parade, a large bucket loader will move into position and one thousand red rubber ‘tomatoes’ will be released from the loader to roll and bounce their way through several fun obstacles.
Party on the Prairie June 2 at Jerry Smith Park, 139th & Holmes, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy family and environmentally friendly activities amidst the flora and fauna of Jackson County’s only remnant prairie. Live music, guided trail hikes, bird walks, hay rides, plein air quick paint competition, scavenger hunt, & prairie touch table.
EcoFest June 2 at Waterfall Park, 4501 Bass Pro Dr, Independence, MO. This year’s EcoFest will feature your favorite eco-entertainers, including, EcoElvis, the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, and Sister Act Painting. Interactive displays such as edible ice cream aquifers, face painting, & a stream table.
Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival June 2 at Vaile Mansion, 1500 N Liberty St, Independence, MO. Free admission to grounds Mansion Tour: Adults $6.00 | Children $3.00. A hundred craft and antique dealers will be set up around the Mansion. The Vaile Society will be selling Strawberry Treats!
Croatian Day June 2 from 6-10pm on St. John the Baptist Croatian Parish Church Grounds 708 N. 4th St. KC, KS.. Free Event: Food-Raffles-Beverages: for a Donation. Music and Dancing by Hrvatski Običaj. Authentic Croatian Food: Janjetina (Lamb), Cobanac (Stew), Cevapi (Sausage).
Rose Show & Rose Day June 3 at Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden in Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Rose show, live performances and fun. Bring your blankets, chairs and picnics and enjoy the day!
Smoky Hill River Festival June 7-10 at Oakdale Park, Salina KS. The River Festival will awaken your senses with original art, live music, fantastic food and kids’ stuff. Whether you enjoy art, music, great food or some of each, the Festival is an delectable “arts feast” you can’t miss.
Sugar Creek Slavic Festival June 8 & 9 at Mike Onka Memorial Building Grounds, 11520 E. Putnam, Sugar Creek, MO. The festival celebrates the historic roots of the Slavic immigrants in the Kansas City area. Enjoy live entertainment, Slavic foods, and artifacts.
Festival on the Trails June 8 & 9 at Gardner, KS. Nationally known bands provide entertainment both evenings. The Festival begins Friday night and includes free entertainment and a variety of beverage & food booths. It continues Saturday morning at noon with a full day of activities for children, crafts, and commercial booths, a car show, food, and much more!
Arts in the Park North KC June 8 & 9 at Macken Park, Howell St & Clark Ferguson Dr, North Kansas City, MO. There will be live music, food trucks, entertainers, street performers, a special music guest, and a variety of great artists!
Juneteenth Celebration June 9 at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO. Connect with activities, music, dance, demonstrations, art, and history. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
Symphony in the Flint Hills June 9 in the Flint Hills of KS. The Kansas City Symphony performs classical works against the backdrop of the breathtaking Flint Hills of Kansas, home to the largest expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America. At this annual event, experience the wide-open prairie and endless sky as you enjoy educational exhibits, nature activities, great food and, of course, the Kansas City Symphony program filled with inspiring classics.
14th Annual Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival June 9 at Country Club Plaza Kansas City, 200 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO. Live entertainment featuring Chinese music, dancing and martial arts. Calligraphy demonstrations, souvenirs, food trucks, and face painting add to the fun. Community and college teams race in authentic dragon boats on Brush Creek.
Olathe Station Art Fair June 9 & 10 at Olathe Station, 11951 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS. Art show, children's activities, live music, and food.
Summer Scene Art & Music Festival: Raymore June 9 at T.B Hanna Station, 214 S Washington St, Raymore, MO. Art show, live music, food trucks, kids activities, pop-up art project, and more.
Liberty Summer Festival June 9 & 10, Family Tree Nursery 830 W. Liberty, Dr. Liberty, MO. Bring the family for a weekend of fun, entertainment, and great deals at Liberty Summer Festival. Browse and shop among local vendors, choose from a selection of food trucks for drinks and a bite to eat, enjoy live music, and take part in garden workshops. Most importantly, find great in-store specials amongst fully stocked plant selection.
2018 Future Stages Festival June 10 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO. Admission to the family-friendly event is FREE and will include the opportunity to see Kansas City-area youth acts perform on indoor and outdoor stages. Community partners will host arts activities throughout the day. Tickets are not required, but registrants will receive updated details regarding the performance and activity schedule in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Shawnee Mission Health Strawberry Fesitval (Lenexa) June 10 at Shawnee Mission Health - Prairie Star, 23401 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS. Various wellness activities for the entire family. Attendees can enjoy strawberry shortcake and participate in free wellness activities such as chair massages and blood pressure screenings. Kid-friendly entertainment includes an inflatable slide, moonwalk, balloon artists and games.
Shawnee Mission Health Strawberry Festival (Overland Park) June 10 at Shawnee Mission Health - Overland Park, 7840 W. 165th Street, Overland Park, KS. Shawnee Mission Health (SMH) is hosting its tenth annual Strawberry Festival, offering various wellness activities for the entire family. Attendees can enjoy strawberry shortcake and participate in free wellness activities such as chair massages and blood pressure screenings. Kid-friendly entertainment includes an inflatable slide, moonwalk, balloon artists and games.
Much Ado About Nothing June 12 - July 1 at Southmoreland Park, 4600 Oak St, Kansas City, MO. The action of Much Ado About Nothing occurs during several days of a visit by Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, and his followers at the large estate of Leonato, Governor of Messina. Don Pedro has been victorious in a small war against his own half-brother, Don John, who has now (reluctantly) joined him.
Boulevardia June 15 & 16 at KC Stockyards District, 1600 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience, music from local, regional and national acts, as well as family activities, entertainment, shopping and eco-education, all in a unique urban setting.
Summit Fair Family FunFest June 16 from 1-3pm at Summit Fair, Lee's Summit, MO. Enjoy a festive afternoon featuring family entertainment, giveaways, shopping specials and more!
Crown Center Antique Festival June 16 - 18 at Crown Center, 2500 Grand, Kansas City, MO. The festival’s 18th year will feature pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, books and much more.
11th Annual Lavender Harvest Festival June 16 at Prairie Lavender Farm, 69 Alpine Ridge Ln, Bennington, KS. Tours, demonstrations, U-pick bundles, artists, children’s activities and live music all day.
Dadfest 2018 June 17 at Vineyard Church, 12300 NW Arrowhead Trafficway, Kansas City, MO. Free except food trucks. Celebrate the dads in your life with a car show, food trucks, family games, an exotic animal petting zoo, inflatables, an obstacle course, and a BBQ contest.
Anime Festival for Teens June 21 at Teen Commons, 16160 W. 135th St., Olathe, KS. Teens in 6th - 12th grades will meet for an afternoon of manga and amine-themed activities. Activities include anime viewing, a manga swap, contests, and cosplay. Enjoy Japanese snacks and candy sushi. Come and go as you please - no registration.
Great Lenexa BBQ Battle June 22 & 23 at Sar-Ko-Par Park, 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS. The two-day event, which includes children’s activities and live music, attracts cooks from all over the country, who compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion of the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - The Kansas State Championship.
Maker Faire Kansas City June 23 & 24 at Union Station Kansas City, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO. Maker Faire is part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new! As a celebration of the Maker Movement, it’s a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Maker Faire gathers together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, food artisans, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, artists, students and commercial exhibitors. Makers come to show their creations and share their learnings. Attendees flock to Maker Faire to glimpse the future and find the inspiration to become Makers themselves. Read the Maker Faire blog post for more information!
Food. Art. Drink. June 22 & 23 at Linden Square, 602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, MO. Food. Art. Drink. Live Music and fun!
Waterfest June 22 & 23 at On Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO. The two-day event will feature arts/crafts and commercial vendors, live entertainment, and water inflatables for the kids, classic car show, pancake breakfast and parade.
Carnival Extraordinaire June 23 from 11am-2pm at Cross Points Church 6824 Lackman, Shawnee, KS. Come one, come all! Everyone is welcome to attend our community carnival! Enjoy rides, games, popcorn, cotton candy, waffle cones, hot dogs and more! A $10 donation per family at the door, $1 concessions and $2 for a turn to try to dunk-your-pastor
Stems: A Garden Soiree June 23 at Overland Park Arboretum 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS. Come savor an evening of art, music, food and wine. SIP wine. TASTE delicious food from 25 top restaurants and caterers. ENJOY art, music, fireworks, beautiful surroundings and more. MEET friends at the networking event of the summer – the place to see and be seen. SUPPORT a vision of recreational and cultural enrichment and inspiration for present and future generations.
TAP THAT Brew Festival June 23 at 800 Block of SW Jackson Street, Topeka, KS. Sample nearly 300 craft beers from more than 50 breweries across the USA. In addition to a plethora of amazing brews, you also get to enjoy food trucks, music and vendors!
Lee's Summit Airport Open House June 23 at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport, 402 NE Leinweber Rd., (east side of the airport), Lee's Summit, MO. Admission is free to this family-friendly event which offers fun and flight with static aircraft displays, aviation-related vendors, helicopter rides (for a fee), lots of kids activities including a bouncy house and face painting, and much more.
Freedom Fest June 23 at Greenwood, MO. Activities include rides/inflatables, games for kids of all ages. Enjoy shopping with an eclectic group of vendors as well as a wide variety of food from KC area food trucks. Special events change each year, keeping the festival fun and exciting! If shopping and playing aren't your things take a stroll through our always popular car show while listening to live music and make sure to stay late for the firework display.
Summer Fest Lawrence June 24 at South Park, 1141 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. This annual outdoor craft show is for NonCommercial and Commercial vendors. Activities for children available too! This event is free and open to the public.
Booms & Blooms June 30 at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.SHighway 50, Kingsville, MO. Celebrate our nation’s independence with explosions of color and texture on land and in the air at this annual event. Arrive early to stake out a seat with your picnic blanket, enjoy hands-on activities and admire our ground-level blooms in the daylight. After sunset, music will accompany the choreographed blooms in the sky. Food and beverage vendors are featured throughout the entirety of the festival. Members receive free admission and free parking!
Spirit of America Celebration: Raymore June 30 at Recreation Park, 1011 S Madison St, Raymore, MO. Bring the family and some chairs for a great evening at the park. The festivities start at 7 p.m. with live music, food trucks, concessions, a bounce house and giveaways. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
July Festivals featured on the next page...
July Festivals in Kansas City
National AGO Convention July 2-6 in Kansas City, MO. See and hear incredible performances by world-class organists and choirs, hear new music by some of the world’s best modern composers, be able to check out dozens of workshops and seminars, and enjoy creative worship services in some of the most beautiful and historic organ venues in the country.
Village Fest July 4 at 7700 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. The festivities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast ($5/plate) supplied by Chris Cakes. Children's activities, arts and crafts, live music, and patriotic family fun.
Independence Day at Missouri Town 1855 July 4 at Missouri Town 1855, 8010 E. Park Rd, Lee's Summit, MO. Patriotic speeches, children’s games, period cooking, dancing, and militia marches are a few of the many interpretive activities. Everyone is invited to join with the staff and volunteers as they march down the main road in the traditional Missouri Town Independence Parade!
Four on the 4th July 4 at Garry Gribble’s Running Sports, 8600 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO. We’ll be running/walking 4 beautiful miles of America along ward parkway as we celebrate Independence Day! Participants receive great tech shirts, festive giveaways. patriotic snacks, and finisher medals as bold and as charming as the American dream!
KC RiverFest July 4 at Berkley Riverfront Park, Kansas City, MO. KC RiverFest is the premiere Independence Day celebration in our nation. Located at Richard L. Berkley Riverfront, KC RiverFest has become "Kansas City's Riverfront Tradition," known as the only place in Kansas City to celebrate the Fourth of July. Join with friends, family and community leaders for an afternoon of entertainment including live music, kid activities, street performers, all the food, and of course, fireworks!
Fiesta Mexicana July 7: Parade, July 10-14: Festival, Topeka, KS. Celebrate Topeka's Mexican culture during this annual event that includes a parade downtown and five nights of traditional Mexican food, music, dancing and even a jalapeño eating contest in the Oakland neighborhood every July - near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Wyandotte County Fair July 10-14 at Wyandotte County Fairgrounds, 13700 Polfer Rd, Kansas City, KS. Live entertainment, contests, carnival, 4-H showcase, and more.
Cass County Fair July 10 - 15 at Cass County Fairgrounds, 308 W Commercial St, Pleasant Hill, MO. From the youth livestock shows to the action-packed demolition derby, the fair has it all. SonShine Amusements will be providing quality rides and attractions.
Ginger Rogers Festival July 14 & 15 in Independence, MO. The Ginger Rogers Day Festival will be held at several locations in Independence, Missouri and will include a tour of her birthplace, a film festival, speakers, banquet, and silent auction. Watch here and on the website for more information and how to register coming soon. All proceeds go towards restoring the place of Ginger's birth.
Platte County Fair July 18-21 at Platte County Fairgrounds, Platte City, MO. Old-Fashioned County Fair - Games, Rides, Carnival, Food, Music and More! The fair has been an annual event in the community since the first fair in 1863. It is recorded as being the oldest continuously operating fair west of the Mississippi River.
Fringe Festival July 19-29 at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing, Kansas City, MO. This 11-day explosion of unjuried, uncensored performing and visual arts features performers and creators from all over- local, national and international.
Amelia Earhart Festival July 20-21 at Atchison, KS. Each summer the community pulls out all the stops in honor of its favorite daughter, complete with a downtown music, food and crafts fair, star-filled outdoor concert, children’s activities, carnival, awards and honors, and the ‘Concert in the Sky’ fireworks show.
Miami County Fair July 21-28 at Miami County Farms, Paola, KS. Youth rodeo, carnival, races, parade, demolition derby, bike derby, dog show, horse show, pancake breakfast, concerts and more.
Kansas City's Big Picnic July 22 at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO. Enjoy art activities, live music, food trucks, and games throughout the Big Picnic. Pack your own picnic or grab dinner from an on-site food truck!
Leavenworth County Fair July 24-28 at Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, Tonganoxie, KS. Enjoy the fun of games, contests, pony rides, derbies, food, rides, exhibits, music, and more. Our local fair is always lively, day or night, and always filled with great folks from all over the Leavenworth County area!
Festival of Butterflies July 27 - August 12 at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.SHighway 50, Kingsville, MO. Enjoy the annual festival dedicated these winged pollinators. Walk among locally raised, native butterflies in our flower-filled ‘Butterfly Breezeway’ or journey to the tropics in our lush Conservatory where a close encounter with the Blue Morpho, Golden Birdwing, or Emerald Swallowtail is almost guaranteed. Touch live caterpillars, learn about the life cycle of Monarchs and participate in the Pollinator Parade.
Made in KC Happy Hour July 27 at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO. The Made in KC Happy Hour will feature a market of hand-made items, sourced from KC’s local vendors! Food truck offerings are available for purchase, as well as a raffle and live music. Tickets are $5.
Rock & Food Trucks Festival: Topeka July 28 at Downtown Topeka, 9th and Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS. The 2018 Music & Food Truck Festival Series features THREE different concerts for music and food truck lovers in the Midwest. Choose tasty eats from food trucks before claiming a spot in front of some of your favorite, or soon-to-be-favorite, bands in Downtown Topeka, KS.
Fun in the Sun KidsFest July 28 at Linden Square 602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, MO. Enjoy a day of entertainment, live music, and lots of games and activities for the entire family in Downtown Gladstone. Kids can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts an inflatable water slide, and a variety of games provided by the Gladstone Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of Fun in the Sun in Downtown Gladstone.
Johnson County Fair July 29 - August 4 at Johnson County Fairgrounds, Gardner, KS. Dog show, youth rodeo, carnival, concerts, goat milking, police & fire demonstrations, bull blast, barrel racing, parade and demolition derby.
The Great Car Show July 29 at National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO. The event will include: Music, Ride alongs, Food trucks, Youth judging, Educational displays, Pinstriping demonstrations, Reserved space for car clubs, Promotional items from vendors, Dash plaques available for purchase, Professional photo of all car entries (available for purchase), VIP car registration parking (includes goody bag), Discounted admission to the National World War I Museum and Memorial. All years, makes, and models are welcome. Venue can accommodate up to 400 vehicles.
Douglas County Fair July 30 - August 4 at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS. Petting zoo, pony rides, demolition derby, tractor show, live concerts, turtle races, carnival, tractor pull and more.
August Festivals featured on the next page...
August Festivals in Kansas City
Douglas County Fair July 30 - August 4 at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS. Petting zoo, pony rides, demolition derby, tractor show, live concerts, turtle races, carnival, tractor pull and more.
Johnson County Fair July 29 - August 4 at Johnson County Fairgrounds, Gardner, KS. Dog show, youth rodeo, carnival, concerts, goat milking, police & fire demonstrations, bull blast, barrel racing, parade and demolition derby.
Festival of Butterflies July 27 - August 12 at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.SHighway 50, Kingsville, MO. Enjoy the annual festival dedicated these winged pollinators. Walk among locally raised, native butterflies in our flower-filled ‘Butterfly Breezeway’ or journey to the tropics in our lush Conservatory where a close encounter with the Blue Morpho, Golden Birdwing, or Emerald Swallowtail is almost guaranteed. Touch live caterpillars, learn about the life cycle of Monarchs and participate in the Pollinator Parade
Blues Fest August 3 at Legacy Park, 897 Bluestem Pkwy, Lee's Summit, MO. Enjoy a night with some of Kansas City's best Blues bands. Blues Fest is a free event for the whole family to enjoy. Gates open at 4:15PM.
KC Taste Friday, August 3rd (4pm – 10pm) and Saturday, August 4th (10am – 10pm) at Union Station’s outdoor space including both the South Plaza and Triangle Parking, as well as the new Haverty Family Yards. KC Taste will be a two day music, food, distillery, wine and beer festival, promoting brick and mortar establishments and showcasing all of the wonderful food and beverage talent Kansas City has to offer. Two days of live music featuring local and national acts Family friendly areas with bounce houses and arts/crafts for the kids.
Kansas City Grilled Cheese Festival August 4 from 11am-4pm at Berkley Riverfront Park 1298 E Riverfront Dr, Kansas City, MO. The Grilled Cheese Festival is a one-day event showing off your favorite childhood food - Grilled Cheese, from your favorite local Kansas City Restaurants and Food Trucks! This event is open to all ages, so come out and enjoy the day with your friends and family. There will be live music, cold drinks, games, bars and all of the grilled cheese you can eat! Tickets Include: Entry to the festival, Live music , Games. Food, drinks and souvenirs can be purchased separately. Kids 10 and under are free. Eating contests your thing? Well, you're in luck! There will be a Grilled Cheese eating contest at during the event.
Confabularryum August 5 at Lawrence Free State High School, 4700 Overland Dr, Lawrence, KS. Experience everything from traditional arts and crafts, to hands-on making activities hosted by Makerspaces from Lawrence and Kansas City, to coding classes, 3-D printing, drones, robotics, virtual reality and much more, all for free.
Missouri State Fair August 9 - 19 at Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, MO. The 407-acre fairgrounds will present premier livestock shows and competitive exhibits, and first-class professional entertainment. Mark your calendar for summer’s best family vacation experience!
Feast of Fountains: A Food Truck Festival August 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m at The Northland Fountain in Anita B. Gorman Park, Vivion Rd & North Oak, KC, MO. Join KC Parks and local food trucks for Food Truck Festivals to benefit our city’s beautiful fountains. We highlight prominent fountains throughout the city, while guests feast on delicious food offerings from KC’s favorite food trucks, enjoy live music from local popular bands, and activities for the whole family. A portion of proceeds goes toward the City of Fountains Foundation to support our city’s flowing treasures.
Tails on the Trails Pet Festival August 11 at Ad Astra Pool and Park, 83rd Street and Maurer Road, Lenexa, KS. Browse pet vendors’ booths, participate in the pet talent show, let your pooch plunge into the dog swims and watch demonstrations, all within beautiful Ad Astra Pool and Park. Bring your furry friend to show off, have a good time and enjoy the day.
Kansas Taco Festival August 11 at Lake Shawnee (Tinman Circle), Topeka, KS. This 1-day festival will feature over a dozen Mexican eats, while they battle it out for title of "Best Taco". Featuring live music & entertainment, this taco inspired event will include fun inflatables, games & activities, contests and so much more!
The Farmers House Cornfest August 11 at The Farmers House in Weston, MO. The fun at our Farm will include a Corn Eating Contest, Dunk Tank, Duck Races and the Corniest Joke Contest. The Farm to Fork Kitchen will be serving our famous barbeque, grilled corn on the cob, Sergio's cheezy corn and Hot Apple Fritters. Our Farmer are busy working in our flower and vegetable gardens. Stop by our Farm location to pick up home grown tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, green beans, kohlrabi and scrumptious peaches. The flowers are blooming in our U-Pick flower garden,so be sure to create your own unique arrangement! Also watch for local Apples to arrive in late in August.
Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 16-19 at Swope Park, Meyer Blvd. and Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO. Adults: $5; 12 & Under: Free Parking: Free. Feel the world beat in the heart of America. This event is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country and features more than 63 different cultures selling their native foods, crafts and performing ethnic music and dances.
KC Improv Festival August 16-19 & 23-26 at Kick Comedy Theater, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO. One of the longest-running, friendliest, funniest and most-fun improv comedy festivals in the country.
Parkville Days August 17-19 at Parkville, MO. Carnival, family entertainment, food, live music, beer garden, parade.
Kids’ State Dinner Happy Hour August 17 at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy recipes entered by students in the Schoolyard Gardens program, voted on by a panel, and made by volunteers. Recipe winners are presented certificates and receive 4 free tickets. Tickets are $30.
Paola Roots Festival August 24-25 at Paola Park Square, Paola, KS. Highlights include, a wide variety of live music, ethnic dancers, arts & crafts, food vendors, The East Central State BBQ Championship Cook-off and for our younger festival goers, great games and fun rides!
Raytown Arts & Music Festival August 25 at C. Lee Kenagy Park, 9608 E 79th Street, Raytown, MO. The Raytown Parks and Recreation Department will host its 7th Annual Arts & Music festival.
Mission Sunflower Festival August 25 at Johnson Drive Mission Farmers Market, Johnson Drive & Maple, Mission, KS. The Festival includes a Friday evening kickoff with live music and food trucks, Saturday morning parade, all-day fun, “old time fair and carnival” games, contests, food trucks and more.
India Fest August 26 at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS. The festival offers an opportunity for guests of all ages to explore the art and customs of India and features authentic cuisine, traditional clothing, henna and numerous vendors.
Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships August 26 at South Park, 1130 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS. This long running event resembles a reunion as musicians form circles jamming under trees throughout the park. Fans gather on blankets to enjoy music and cheer on their friends as they compete. Food vendors, artists and community groups fill the street and park paths.
De Soto Days Festival August 30 - September 1 at Miller Memorial Park, 32400 W. 83rd St., DeSoto, KS. This 4-day festival will bring Excitement, Fun & Connection, promoting our local history & home town flavor! We are pleased to present our Magnificent Vintage Showcase, the Evans Midland Carnival. Saturday Morning, watch the Parade featuring a Classic Car Cruise, and candy.
KC Irish Fest August 31 - Sept. 2 at Crown Center, Kansas City, MO. With more than 300 musicians, dancers, and comedians from Ireland, America and across the Celtic world.