Choose your own adventure at the Kansas State Fair.
Photos via Kansas State Fair
It’s the best of both worlds... one perk of living in a metro split by a state line is double the fair fun. Once Sedalia packs up, it’s Hutchinson’s turn — the Kansas State Fair kicks off Friday, Sept. 5 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 14.
Expect all the funnel cake, plus a lineup that swings from Jeff Dunham to Ludacris to The Fray. Since it’s more of a road trip than a day trip, plan ahead if you want to catch the headliners — or the quirkier highlights, like the Celebrity Goat Milking showdown. Now that’s something you won’t find in KC every day.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Sept. 2
All Night Honky Tonk | 6-11 p.m. | The Ship | $25 | Start the night with a two-step lesson from Charlie + The Honky Tonk Angels before grooving to the 1960s California country sounds of Kimmi Bitter.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Green Street, Lee’s Summit | Stock up midweek at the metro’s newest farmers market digs, full of fresh produce + local goods.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Hummingbird Festival | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1601 Speck Rd., Independence | Free | Celebrate Missouri’s tiniest bird with tips on attracting them, a perch-building workshop, and more before they head south for the winter.
Sweater Weather Cocktail Class & Jazz | 6-7 p.m. | VOO Lounge | $40 | Learn to shake, stir, and torch two autumn-inspired cocktails — with live jazz to set the mood.
Friday, Sept. 5
Red Zona Rally | 5-7 p.m. | Zona Rosa | Free | Kick off Chiefs season with Rumble Drumline beats, an “Almost Andy Reid” cameo, giveaways, food trucks, and the ultimate tailgate vibes.
Think Brooklyn Flea, but KC-style. The all-new Crossroads Flea debuts Sunday, Sept. 14 at 19th + Wyandotte, bringing a curated mix of local produce, vintage, makers, and exclusive bites from Mildred’s. Can’t make the inaugural? Don’t worry — it’ll pop up every second Sunday of the month, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Eat
It’s not often that you can say a “new” kind of barbecue has hit the KC scene. Enter Let’s Go BBQ, opening its first location in Independence Center this fall. Guests will be able to feast on all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue with the assistance of robot waiters. (Kansas City Star)
Kansas Citian
Heidi heads home. Actress + comedian Heidi Gardner won’t return to Saturday Night Live this fall. A cast member since 2017, we’re guessing this means more time spent at her Leawood digs. (KCUR)
Active
Who watched the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games? The event took place in China recently, with robotic athletes competing in events including track and field, martial arts, and soccer. Think you can outdo the bots? These 25+ Kansas City gyms await.
Pets
Handsome Dan and Jack the Bulldog. No, those aren’t frat boy nicknames. College football is back, and it’s time to meet the 12 beloved dogs who rep their schools across the US. Tune into the action for a chance to glimpse the four-legged cuties. (US News & World Report)
The Buy
It’s finally September — that means it’s basically fall, right? Treat yourself in honor of a brand new autumn season with top-rated decor that’s all $30 or less.
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.
This weekend I checked out the grand opening of Pitchside Coffee — the new Crossroads cafe launched by six KC Current players — and I’m officially hooked (and not just on the caffeine). Pro tip: keep an eye out for Nivi’s Minis, the pop-up cart dishing out fluffy mini pancakes stacked high with sundae-style toppings.
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