06.14.2024

Today’s Forecast

89º | 11% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:51 a.m. | Sunset 8:46 p.m.

⛲ Whimsical waterworks

Meet Neptune: The Plaza’s first fountain

Instagram model by day, commander of the seas by night. | Photo by KCtoday

Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains” and the Country Club Plaza is the KC Heart of it all. It boasts 17 fountains, including free-standing basin beauties + tiny wall-mounted wonders.

The Plaza’s first fountain: Neptune

The oldest (and Instagram’s favorite) flashy fixture is Neptune Fountain. King Neptune can be found upon his chariot, trident drawn, in the courtyard in front of Made in KC Marketplace (306 W. 47th St., KCMO).

How did Neptune get here?

According to the fountain’s placard, Neptune Fountain was sculpted in 1911 by the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts in Worcester, England. It was commissioned by Alba Boardman Johnson, then-president of Baldwin Locomotive Co., to display at his Pennsylvania home.

Neptune fountain in its original spot in pennsylvania — This is where Neptune originally reigned.
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Photos courtesy of McLean Library and Archives, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

After he died in 1935, no one would buy the fountain, so his estate threw it out. Years later, a salvage team found it in an abandoned railroad car. Plaza owner Miller Nichols purchased it as scrap metal and placed it on the Plaza in 1953.

Thus, one man’s trash became a whole city’s treasure.

Fine-tuning the fountains

Their fabulous flows date back decades, though you’d never guess it thanks to the regularly-scheduled facelifts the fountains receive.

Maintaining these vintage vessels is its own job literally. According to Facilities Manager Todd Sharbono, the Plaza’s team spends ~25 hours every week detailing the fountains — draining them, scrubbing the basins, and gathering coins for Children’s Mercy Hospital that passersby pop in. In addition, fountains get a deep detox on a rotating basis.

plaza fountain cleaning — Even fountains need baths.
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Photo courtesy of Country Club Plaza

“Every year, two fountains are selected to be thoroughly maintained,” said Sharbono. “This includes stripping the basin, recoating, and caulking them for long-term life and to withstand Kansas City summers + winters.”

Is there a particular Plaza fountain that you fancy? Let us know and we’ll take a deep dive into its history, too.

Events

Friday, June 14

Observance of National Flag Day | Friday, June 14 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial, 100 E. Pershing Rd., KCMO | Free | Bring your tattered and faded flags to Washington Square Park to be officially retired.
Afrolicious Soundsystem | Friday, June 14 | 7 p.m. | In The Lowest Ferns, 1105 Hickery St., KCMO | $12.46 | Enjoy afro house music as you dance the night away.

Saturday, June 15

DIY for Dad | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-42 p.m. | Leavenworth Main Street, 416 Cherokee St., Leavenworth, KS | $10 | dDiscover unique craft stations in downtown shops and create a personalized leather item for Dad.
Juneteenth KC Heritage Festival | Saturday, June 15 | 12-10 p.m. | 18th & Vine District, KCMO | $30 | Headlined by Kelly Price herself, this district-wide party has everything from local Black art vendors to morning hip-hop yoga.
Authors, Art, and Appetizers | Saturday, June 15 | 5-8 p.m. | New Century AirCenter, 6 Aero Plz., New Century, KS | $45 | Tour the cockpit of a restored B-29 Doc and B-25 Berlin Express while enjoying sips from local winery Twisted Vines.
Kansas City Goats vs. Iowa Woo | Saturday, June 15 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Kansas City Convention Center, KCMO | $15-$45 | Watch Kansas City’s newest football team take on our neighbors to the north.
Moirafest 2024 | Saturday, June 15 | 7 p.m.-1 a.m. | ReRoll Tavern, 2368 Armor Rd., KCMO | $10-$20 | Grab your wig, fold the cheese, and get ready for an evening of “Schitt’s Creek” trivia, games, cocktails + costumes.

Sunday, June 16

Children’s Peace Parade | Sunday, June 16 | 1-4 p.m. | Gillham Park, 3915 Gillham Rd., KCMO | Free | Picnic, play, and hold a parade for kids to participate in age-appropriate action.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Trending

A little birdie (named Mayor Q) told us that Country Club Plaza may have new owners by the end of this month. Texas-based firm HP Village Partners are set to ink the deal for KC’s crowned jewel, just like previous rumors predicted. (KCTV)

Sports

FIFA dropped its tentative list of 2026 World Cup base camps and, surprise surprise, three locations in KC made the cut: the KC Current training complex in Riverside, Sporting KC’s training site in KCK + and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. A finalized list is TBA.

Transit

All aboard — The KC Streetcar Main Street extension is now 89% complete, which means we’re only 11% away from ending all that construction traffic. The extension is on track to be complete in 2025.

Coming Soon

Looking for a new coffee shop to explore? Odyssey will answer the call. The bev biz opens next month at 5247 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS. Owners say the shop will provide a modern + cozy backdrop as it takes your taste buds on a journey. (Kansas City Star)

Ranked

Go Banking Rates found the cheapest major Midwest cities to live in and, wouldn’t ya know, St. Joseph cracked the top 10, coming in at No. 8. The list claims $66,885 will allow you to live comfortably in the city.

Open

A jazz musician running a barbecue spot — sounds like KC. Dunn Deal BBQ (506 Main St., Grandview, MO) was opened by Gerald Dunn, who doubles as general manager of jazz club The Blue Room. The barbecue spot regularly sells out, so order takeout and try your luck. (Kansas City Star)

Wellness

Imagine caffeine-free energy with no jitters, no crash, and no impact on sleep — plus reduced hunger and cravings. Explore MTE energy drink + get 22% off with code MI22.*

Asked

Pop quiz — What year was Neptune Fountain added to the Plaza?

A. 1911
B. 1935
C. 1953
D. 1923

Hand in your test

Kids

📱 The app of the summer

Sunflower Summer lets Kansas families see attractions for free

Imagine a family photo in front of this colorful museum. | Photo by KCtoday

Kansas families, this one’s for you. Meet Sunflower Summer — the state of Kansas’ app providing free tickets to 220+ sites statewide. It’s like a Kansas-specific summer bucket list.

Here’s how it works:

Be a resident of Kansas
Have a child enrolled in grades Pre-K-12 (homeschooling included)
Download the app
Create an account
Claim your free tickets

Attraction categories cover nature, arts, sports, amusement parks, museums + historic landmarks — like the metro’s Museum at Prairefire and Theatre in the Park. Take your little explorer to play “I Spy” statewide now through Sunday, Aug. 11. You can learn more + download the app on the Sunflower Summer website.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

I’m excited to go to Boulevardia for the first time. I’m meeting up with some friends who have never gone before, too, so it’ll be a memorable experience for all.

Let me make sure I bookmark the Boulevardia guide so us newbies aren’t overwhelmed.

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