Published on August 18, 2022 at 11:00 am
Image credit above: A field of sunflowers northeast of Lawrence, Kansas, September 3, 2014. (AP Photo | The Topeka Capital Journal, Chris Neal)
Sunflower selfie opportunities, live music and a few cultural festivals make for quite a weekend in August.
Friday August 19
4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Kansas City Current fans plan to show up as a team for Friday night’s game against Angel City FC at Children’s Mercy Park, 1 Sports Lane. The all-inclusive KC Crew tailgate will provide pick-up and drop-off services for interested fans to meet at Johnny’s Tavern in the Power & Light District before heading to the tailgate. Food, drink, tailgate games and live music will provide fans with pre-game fun. Party bus and tailgate ticket packages are $25. Tailgate-only passes are $15. Tickets for the match are not included in the package. Seats are available starting at $12, plus taxes and fees.
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. It’s that time of year. KC Sunflower Fest is back at KC pumpkin patch, 13875 South Gardner Road, just in time for bloom. The best part is that the Sea of Sunflowers is just a few miles from Olathe, Kansas. The flowers closest to Kansas City provide the perfect backdrop for a photo op, before embarking on an afternoon of fun for all ages in the form of garden games, farm skeeball, giant bubbles, zip lines and much more. Tickets are $11.95.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Ethnic Enrichment Festival goes to Park Swipe, 3999 Swope Pkwy., this weekend. Three days of celebrating multiculturalism in Kansas City will include live entertainment, food, community resources, activities, arts, crafts and more dedicated to the tradition and contributions of dozens of ethnic groups represented in the festival. Be sure to check the milestone schedule and provider details online in advance. The festival is $5 a day and free for ages 12 and under.
Saturday August 20
6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Kemper Museum Block Party 2022 is scheduled for Saturday evening on the museum grounds, 4420 Warwick Boulevard. The after-hours party celebrates the first look at the museum’s new “Pepe Mar: Rising Sun” installation, plus offers your own opportunities for artistic creation, all with food and drink, live music and a family screening of “Twister” also in the cards. The Block Party is free.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Whether your little one is a future triathlon champion or just looking for an outdoor activity, the Lenexa Parks and Recreation Tiny Tot Triathlon should be a ton of fun and completely adorable. Children from 3 to 9 years old are invited to Sar-Ko-Par trail park, 87th Street and Lackman Road, to ride a bike, get wet, run and slide down an inflatable slide to complete the triathlon course of their choice. Be sure to bring a bicycle or tricycle, a helmet, clothes that can get wet, and a change of clothes. Registration for access to the 20-minute course costs $5. Everyone receives a medal for their participation.
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Do you like a good collaboration? Longboards Wraps and Red Sash Brewing team up for a Pop-Up in the Crossroads district, 406 E. 18th St. If Longboards food and live music weren’t enough, Red Sash plans to release two new beers, including its Charlie Don’t Surf Tropical IPA. The event is free.
9 p.m. Calling all “Swifties”. The Taylor Swift Party: Taylor Swift Night arrives at The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road, Saturday night. The 18+ dance party for the country star-turned-pop star’s ultimate fans will play all the bangers for just one night. Tickets online or at the door start at $25, plus taxes and fees.
Sunday August 21
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Regional organizations meet on Sunday at Overland Park Convention Center6000 College Blvd., for India Fest 2022. The completely free festival celebrating the arts, culture, history and people of India will offer attendees the chance to experience many different tastes, sights and sounds of the nation and of its inhabitants.
Noon – 5 p.m. Parkville Days returns to the banks of the Missouri River this weekend with a massive schedule of live entertainment, sales to downtown merchants, arts and crafts, carnival rides, beer and more Again. The three-day festival ends Sunday in and around Downtown Parkville and English Landing Park100 Main St. The festival is free, but carnival wristbands are $25, cash only.
7:30 p.m. Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 tour stops at T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Sunday evening. Fresh off the release of “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers,” Lamar’s fifth studio album, the rapper’s local Compton, Calif. fans will get the chance to see his music live in Kansas City for the premiere. times since 2017. Baby Keem and Tanna Leone are scheduled to open.Tickets are available from $65 plus taxes and fees.
Clarence Dennis is an audience and digital content strategist at Flatland.