The summer season boasts a bunch of festivals, but this weekend looks like a doozy for the get out-and-celebrate crowd.
An impressive assortment of public shindigs and get-togethers will recognize history, ethnicity, diversity, musicality and celebrity – hey, we love our famous folks in this country!
Pick a festival, any festival. Your shared experience awaits.
1. Downtown Days…Streets Alive Festival
This traditional fest in historic downtown Lee’s Summit covers the feel-good bases, from live bands and a carnival to kiddie dance troupes and pony rides. Special activities include Civil War reenactments and the SMOKIN’ on the Summit BBQ competition with more than 80 teams vying for a $10,000 purse. Elders alert: KC’s favorite Irish rockers hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Only nine months until St. Patrick’s Day! Friday, noon-10 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; 226 S.E. Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, Mo.; admission: free.
2. Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest
Kettle corn. What, you need more than that? OK, how about entertaining live blues from eight talented acts at the Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest? Now we’re talking. Friday night headliners are the Bel-Airs and Junior Watson. Saturday night stars are Kelley Hunt and Jimmy D. Lane. The music should get people on their feet. While you’re up, can you get me a kettle corn? Friday, music starts 6 p.m.; Saturday, music starts 2 p.m.; Oak Grove Park; 800 N.E. 76th St., Gladstone, Mo.; admission: free (parking $5).
3. KC PrideFest
A slew of heady music artists, remix-happy deejays, highly expressive dancers and other hardly bashful people will contribute to the bigtime party vibe to be found at this yearly event. Local acts performing in support of the LGBT community include the Heartland Men’s Chorus, drag artist Melinda Ryder and Americana band the Clementines. Headliners include international DJ Barry Harris (Friday), “American Idol” season-13 finalist MK Nobilette (Saturday) and the First Ladies of Disco (Saturday), featuring Martha Wash (“It’s Raining Men”), Linda Clifford (“Runaway Love”) and Evelyn King (“Shame”). Be yourself! Friday, 6-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.; Berkley Riverfront Park, 1000 Riverfront Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $5 Friday and Saturday, free Sunday (free to ages 12 and younger each day).
4. Midwest Tea Fest
Oh, coffee, you are many things, but you are not tea. And the tea lovers’ triumvirate – tea tasting, tea education and tea shopping – is in store for those already jonesing for the promised pleasure of the Midwest Tea Fest. At least one lucky attendee also will get to be a guest judge in the Best in Show tea contest. Put that in your cup and sip it, Starbucks! And anyone can donate a non-perishable food item to Harvesters for extra chances to win tea-centric door prizes. There’s more, but how much excitement can a tea-drinker take? Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $12 ($10 advance).
5. Old Shawnee Days
Does it feel like the first time? That’s up to you, but Lou Graham of Foreigner fame will be belting out “Feels Like the First Time” and lots of other vintage rock hits as the “Voice of Foreigner” at 9 p.m. Saturday at Old Shawnee Days. Let’s root for the magic to happen, shall we? Family fun will also flourish in Saturday’s Hula Hoop (1 p.m.) and Whipped Pie Bubble Blowing (2 p.m.) contests, as well as Sunday’s Turtle Races and Wild Whip Show. Take a crack at it! Thursday, 6-8 p.m. (carnival); Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. (parade), festival 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kan.; admission: free.
6. ParrotFest
The rousing ramp-up to Jimmy Buffet’s concert Saturday night at Sprint Center officially begins eight hours before the show with this party just across the street at the Kansas City Power and Light District. Buffet’s leis-wearing, tropical-drink-imbibing fan base – known as Parrotheads – have long embraced the concept that “life is a beach.” They will receive no discouragement from such ParrotFest musical attractions as the Landsharks Band, Glen Mock & the Tropical Dreamers and the Phin Addicts. Organizers promise giveaways, contests and want you to know that families with children are welcome. You’ve got to get start ‘em young. Saturday, music starts at 11 a.m.; Kansas City Live Block, KCP&L District; 1100 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
7. Sugar Creek Slavic Festival
Old-style Slavic food and entertainment are integral ingredients of Sugar Creek’s longtime neighborhood festival embracing its significant Slavic heritage. Nationally known polka purveyor Alex Meixner headlines both Friday and Saturday nights. Other inducements to revel in an Eastern European way include Friday night’s formidable kielbasa eating contest. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Friday, 5-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3:30-11:30 p.m.; Mike Onka Memorial Building grounds, 11520 E. Putnam St., Sugar Creek, Mo.; admission: free.
8. Vaile Strawberry Festival
More than 600 pounds of fresh strawberries served with shortcake and ice cream are calling your name at this venerable excuse to serve the sweet tooth in all of us, along with more than 100 booths offering antiques and crafts. Also part of the plan: the Spirit of Independence Concert Band and the 1859 Missouri Town Dancers. A free shuttle to the festival will run from William Chrisman High School. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence, Mo.; admission: free to grounds, $6 mansion tour.