Outdoor concerts, baseball, and movies under the stars—summer time in Kansas City. Come into June and enjoy a full weekend of festivals, Pride Day at “The K” or a fresh cup of Cuban coffee.
Friday, May 31st
5 to 11 p.m. Italian festival returns pink zone, 8640 N. Dixson Ave., this weekend. Each year, the festival brings local Italian food, a variety of entertainment, Italian racing performances, children’s activities and more to Northland Mall. Friday’s schedule includes a performance by Frank Cherrito and a can’t-miss meatball contest. The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair will be held during the festival on Saturday. There is no admission fee. A portion of the food and beverage proceeds will be donated to UNICO, an Italian-American serving organization that provides scholarships to area high school students.
9 – 10:30pm Celebrate the start of summer by watching a movie under the stars in the park Electric ParkAvenue Loiret and W. 95th Street, in Lenexa. Bring snacks, lawn chairs, bug spray and a blanket and get ready for Minions (2021) – the origin story of the little yellow star from Despicable Me. Dogs are welcome and there are bathrooms in the hotel. There is no admission fee.
Saturday, June 1
Prairie Village Shops 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.The annual Prairie Village Art Show at 6920 Mission Road welcomes more than 15,000 visitors. The three-day event showcases the work of 100 local and national artists. Local band Private Stock will perform live music Saturday starting at 5 p.m. The Prairie Village Art Show is free to attend.
Noon – 2pm Juneteenth KC 7th The annual cultural parade will be held in History 18th & Vine Jazz Zone, 1800 Vine St., Saturday afternoon. Drill and dance teams, floats, community groups and Zulu Connect stilt dancers will make up this year’s parade and compete for prizes. The parade’s theme, “Resistance,” celebrates African American art and its impact in the civil rights movement. The parade is free to attend.
2pm Music, margaritas and Mexican food make up the Taco and Tequila Festival legendary stadium, 1800 Village West Pkwy. The one-day music festival will feature performances from T-Pain, Ashanti, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Yung Joc and more. In addition to music, the festival will feature a craft margarita and tequila bar, taco vendors galore, as well as Lucha Libre wrestling, an exotic car display, a Chihuahua beauty pageant, artistic indoctrination and more. General admission is $99, plus tax. VIP tickets worth $199 get you stage access, express entry, lounge access, three craft margaritas and a taco flight.
3:10 pm Saturday is Pride Day kauffman stadium, 1 Royal Road. Anyone holding a themed ticket to watch the Royals take on the San Diego Padres will receive a rainbow Royals Pride jersey when entering through Gate A. The first 15,000 fans in the stadium will receive a Vinnie Pasquantino “Pasquatch” bobblehead. Game tickets start at $22, plus tax. Parking spaces must be purchased in advance.
18:00 There is a table for a farm dinner exist young family farm, 3819 Wayne Ave., Saturday night. Community members are invited to dine at the urban farm and donate to support the organization’s efforts. The menu includes wild green salad, nettle and spice miso soup or sourdough bread as starters, and vegan rainbow sushi rolls or spring pasta as main courses. Desserts include strawberry rhubarb shortcake or pine bark chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. Suggested donations start at $50, but no one will be turned away.
Sunday, June 2
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bold, authentic Cuban flavors are coming to the Berkeley Riverfront. cuban coffeeLocated at 1298 River Front Drive, it will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday with live music, local vendors and coffee. The truck offers gourmet coffee drinks and snacks, as well as bags of Cuban coffee available for purchase. The grand opening celebration is free to attend.
Noon – 6 p.m. Casual Animal BrewingEmployees at Crossroads Brewery, located at 1725 McGee St., are downsizing with an employee yard sale. After a beer or two it’s time to go treasure hunting. There is no admission fee.
2 to 4 p.m. disney music is located in Kansas City Music Hall301 W. 13th St. will celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary with free silent film demonstrations and live accompaniment. Hosted by the Kansas City Theater Organist, guest organist John Ledwon from Disney’s El Capitan Theater in Hollywood will perform an extended performance during a screening of the classic Mickey Mouse animated film “Planes.” Donations will be accepted at the door.
Clarence Dennis is the Audience and Digital Content Strategist at Flatland.
