A People's History of Kansas City LIVE! America's Popsicle: The Bomb Pop
Before summer melts into fall, join Mackenzie Martin and Suzanne Hogan of the award-winning KCUR podcast A People's History of Kansas City as they get into the sticky history of the iconic red, white, and blue Bomb Pop and how it got its launch right here in Kansas City before rocketing to national fame. Then, help settle the debate and stick up for your favorite flavor in our Bomb Pop taste test. This one might get messy!
When: Monday, August 31, 2026
Doors: from 5:30-6:30 pm
Program: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO
The kitchen is open. Come early to grab a bite from a special themed menu and snag the best seats!
Tickets: $10 KCUR members | $15 non-members
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For questions and accessibility accommodations contact events@kcur.org.
About the Episode
Invented in Kansas City in 1955, the Bomb Pop is the ultimate shorthand for nostalgic Americana — a throwback to the simple days of ice cream trucks, July 4th fireworks and humid summer nights. But Mackenzie Martin reports that during the Cold War, some parents revolted over the symbolism of selling a red-white-and-blue frozen weapon of war to children.