It’s June, aka Pride Month — and KC is prepped for the party. Whether you’re looking for festivals, fundraisers, or a fun night of frolicking, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Festival + parade
Kansas City PrideFest is hosted by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and recognizes the history and heritage of LGBTQ+ people in Kansas City.
This year’s festival grounds are at Theis Park, across from the Nelson-Atkins museum. Festivities are slated for:
Friday, June 7, 5 p.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday, June 8, 12 –10 p.m.
Sunday, June 9, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission is free for children and $5 each day for adults.
KC PrideFest has a jam-packed schedule full of food trucks, vendors, and guest appearances by stars like Jennifer Holiday.
Plan ahead: Want to bring your kiddos? Go on Sunday. That’s the day designated for family-friendly activities.
If you’re more so just looking for a spot to cheer, the parade is for you. Watch it march by on Saturday, June 8 where it’ll run from Broadway, south to Mill Creek Parkway, and end at Theis Park, combining with the fest.
Other Pride events
Celebrate Pride all month long with the help of these events.
Translations Film Festival | Thursday, June 6-Saturday, June 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Stray Cat Film Center, 1662 Broadway Blvd., KCMO | $8 | Watch three movies by and about trans people.
Kansas City Trans Pride | Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16 | Various times and locations | Donate what you can | Members of the trans community celebrate with events like a dance party + picnic.
Pride Ride + City Market Jam | Friday, June 21 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | City Market, East 5th Street + Walnut Street, KCMO | Free | Take a musical ride around the River Market with Sass-a-Brass followed by a celebration at the market.
People’s Pride Kansas City | Sunday, June 23 | 5-11 p.m. |12th Street Post, 1501 W. 12th St., KCMO | Free | It’s Pride Fest — but in the West Bottoms.
How to get involved
We love a party, but Pride is also a prime time to give back. Celebrate by volunteering with or donating to these organizations:
Hear Me Roar! A Silent Disco | Thursday, June 6 | 7 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, KCMO | $20-$30 | Immerse yourself in iconic female pop hits while three DJs compete to keep you roaring on the dance floor all night long.
A Walk In The Park | Thursday, June 6 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Unity Temple on The Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., KCMO | $36 | Hear from author + journalist Kevin Fedarko about the true story of two friends and their 750-mile odyssey through the Grand Canyon.
Friday, June 7
Sugar Creek Slavic Festival | Friday, June 7-Saturday, June 8 | Times vary | Mike Onka Memorial Hall, 11433 Mike Onka Memorial Dr., Independence, MO | Free entry | Experience amazing Slavic food, music + dance, folk art, fashion, and heritage connections.
Guided Tasting: Picnic Pleasers | Friday, June 7 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Boulevard Tours & Rec Center, 2534 Madison Ave., KCMO | $33 | Enjoy a tasting featuring four floral and fruity pours paired with three light courses.
Saturday, June 8
The Randy Travis: More Life Tour | Saturday, June 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., KCMO | $46-$81 | See the legendary country singer + his co-star in “The Price,” James Dupré, perform live.*
ABC: Anything But Clothes | Saturday, June 8 | 9 p.m.-3 a.m. | Woody’s KC, 3740 Broadway St., KCMO | Free entry | Get creative and wear anything but clothes (just make sure everything is covered).
Sunday, June 9
Pupchella | Sunday, June 9 | 8-10 a.m. | KC Wheel, 2485 Jefferson St., KCMO | $16.50 | Bring your leashed pup to enjoy wheel rides, pup cups, photo booths, and pet friendly vendors.
Match your mini-me this Father’s Day. | Photos provided by Harlestons
Parents, is there anything cuter than matching your mini?
Harlestons is now offering matching polos and swimwear for dads and sons to share the same swag — just in time for Father’s Day. (Nope, it’s not too late to order his gift.)
If your kid believes ball is life then they’ll love this — sports-centered school TPH Academy opens this fall. The specialized school is located in the new AdventHealth Sports Park at BlueHawk (16201 Shawnee Dr., Overland Park, KS). Apply for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kids
Summer just got tastier. Shawnee Mission School District is providing free summer lunches to all children in the metro. Eat Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through Friday, July 26. Adults accompanying kids can dine for $5. (KMBC)
Cause
Artists — Here’s the purr-fect opportunity to wet those brushes. Great Plains SPCA‘s rescue animals are pawing out portraits and need humans hands for the finishing touches. Your collab pieces will be sold at a silent auction fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 24. Feeling inspired?Contact Great Plains to learn more + pick a paw-tner.
Watch
KC rapper TechN9ne just dropped a music video for his new single, “Drippy Drop.” The single promotes his new album, Class of Strange Music, which releases on Friday, July 12. Doubt it tops Red Kingdom.
Closing
After more than two decades, Arizona Trading Co. is closing its Westport location. It swapped the space for a 5,000-sqft spot in the Crossroads at 1722 Oak St. which opened last summer. Parking + space challenges inspired the change. (Kansas City Star)
Home
Did you know you can bring all your debt under one roof by borrowing from your home to pay off high-interest loans, bills, and credit cards? Calculate your payment.*
Plan Ahead
Get ready to ”STOMP” at Starlight from Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16. This inventive and explosive percussion extravaganza is an unforgettable experience for all ages. Still in search of a gift for Father’s Day? Look no further. Bonus: Parking is included with your ticket.*
Number
27,000: That’s the number of trees that are cut down each day to make toilet paper. This luxury three-ply bamboo toilet paper is changing that. It feels just like regular high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Use code 6AM30 for 30% off through midnight. Learn more + shop.*
Drink Up
Own a local beverage business? Offer a drink deal to our readers during Drink Up Week from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. Whether it’s BOGO smoothies or 20% off wine bottles, drop your deal into this form by Friday, June 28 and let’s get this party poppin’.
Imagine a new Chiefs Kingdom scooted just a few miles East... | Rendering by Manica
The Chiefs are on the move… is what Kansas wants us to say. Last month, we got renderings of what a stadium built in Kansas could look like. Now, we have a website encouraging citizens to petition the Chiefs to leave KCMO for KCK.
The website outlines the Scoop and Score initiative, giving a play-by-play of what securing the Chiefs would look like for Kansans:
No new or higher taxes
A sales tax revenue stream for communities that opt in
Funding from team owners
Additional funds from the S.T.A.R. bond — the same bond that was used to build the Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park
Want the Chiefs to trade MO for KS? You can fill out the petition which will send a pre-drafted letter to your representative.
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