And the beans? And the cheesy corn? | Photo by @jackstackbbq
Since it’s the unofficial National Barbecue Day, aka Independence Day, let’s fire up the grill and flip through our rich and juicy barbecue history.
Henry Perry | 1908
Kansas City’s barbecue scene began blazing thanks to Henry Perry, the “Father Of Kansas City Barbecue.” In 1908, Perry sold smoked meats from a pushcart in the city’s Garment District, cooking animals like possums, hogs + raccoons. This ultimately created KC’s local barbecue style which is carried on today (sans marsupials + trash pandas) by our original barbecue behemoths.
Rosedale Bar-B-Q | 1934
This spot initially began as a neighborhood hot dog + beer stand. The smell of smoking meats down the road would cause the owners to crave barbecue, so they started their own barbecue business.
Rosedale is the metro’s oldest major barbecue restaurant continuously owned and operated by the same family.
Jack Stack Barbecue | 1957
This spot was started by Russ Fiorella with only five to six items on the menu. The eldest son, Jack Fiorella, worked alongside his dad until 1974 before cooking up Fiorella’s Jack Stack of Martin City. To stand out, the business cooked gourmet meats over hickory wood — nowadays, it is the largest wood-fired cookery in the country.
Premier Lacrosse League | Friday, July 4-Saturday, July 5 | Times vary | CPKC Stadium | $33+ | Cheer on professional lacrosse live and up close in this All-Star Game showcase.
Saturday, July 5
Life on the Farm | 9-9:50 a.m. | Colonial Gardens, Blue Springs | $10 | Help the farm team feed and care for a variety of animals, including goats, chickens, and alpacas, while learning about how each contributes to local regenerative agriculture.
The 2nd Annual “LET’S GO GIRLS!” | 6 p.m. | The Ship | $12 | Two-step your way to the West Bottoms for a yeehaw-fueled night of rowdy dance floor fun.
Sunday, July 6
We Wiggle Dolls: A Puppet Cabaret On Tour | 4:30-9:30 p.m. | Stray Cat Film Center | $20 | Forget “Sesame Street” — this after-hours puppet show brings adult humor, DIY magic, and serious “Muppet"-esque mayhem.
Cyanotype in Depth | Monday, July 7-Friday, July 11 | 1-4:30 p.m. | Kansas City Art Institute | $279 | Get hands-on with this camera-less photo process to create dreamy blueprints, bandanas, and a custom art deck for your next poker night.
Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 249 years since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Round up the kids, friends, or just yourself and head to a local fireworks show or flip on the TV to watch a Shawnee local take on the legends at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. (Johnson County Post)
Watch
It’s official — “Ted Lasso,” the beloved comedy starring OP native Jason Sudeikis, is filming scenes in Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit this month. You can chase a screen credit as an extra or just cheer from the sidelines with outdoor flicks like this weekend’s backyard screening of “Clue” at Screenland Armour. (FOX4)
Eat
After two decades as the resident haunt for huge slices and cold beer in South Plaza, Pizza 51 has expanded to a second location in downtown Olathe. True to form, it’s inside a retrofitted Phillips 66 station, keeping the gas-and-go vibe alive for hungry locals and longtime fans alike. (Kansas City Star)
Restaurant Roundup
Speaking of new restaurants… We had 20+ restaurants open in the last three months alone. See our roundup of all new and coming soon restaurants — and be sure to bookmark it to stay in the know.
Real Estate
Midtown’s Valentine neighborhood is eyeing historic status for a slice of its streets — think 35th to Valentine, between Pennsylvania and Southwest Trafficway — hoping to preserve charm, prevent teardowns, and tap into tax credits by creating the Norman School Historic District, named for the old school-turned-lofts at its heart. (Kansas City Star)
Plan Ahead
The whole metro’s buzzing about Kansas City’s Lawn Party, but don’t forget to plan the rest of your month with our full roundup of some of the biggest events happening in July.And if you’re hosting an event, don’t forget to submit it to our public calendar — we’d love to help spread the word.
The Buy
Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Looming over downtown’s eastern skyline, City Hall towers ____ stories tall.
While 39% isn’t quite a majority, it’s a solid showing of folks who knew City Hall tops out at the 30th floor — and bonus points if you’ve taken in the skyline from its public Observation Deck. That height makes it KC’s third tallest building, just behind One Kansas City Place (42 floors) and Town Pavilion (38).
Is a hot dog a sandwich? It’s the internet’s most mouthwatering debate. Personally, I say it’s a trick question — the bun-and-dog combo? Sure, sandwich. But the hot dog on its own? Still a hot dog. It’s both the meal and the meat. Chew on your take over the holiday weekend — team sandwich or something else entirely?
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