Slap on your chaps and grab your rigging. It’s time to go watch some bull riding. The Professional Bull Riders Team Series is in Kansas City for the new league’s first regular season homestand, and the Outlaws are hoping for a big win for KC fans.
From Fri., Aug. 5-Sun., Aug. 7, watch as our local cowboys take on the Arizona Ridge Riders, Nashville Stampede, and Missouri Thunder. And the party doesn’t stop there: PBR Outlaw Days includes a free concert by Craig Sheller + a street festival on Grand Boulevard.
“When you’re in the chute, you’re really not thinking about anything besides staying on top.” | Photo via @tate_pollmeier
Kansas City’s next professional sports team
What exactly are we talking about? It’s not baseball or football or soccer, but it is another pro sport (and we know Kansas City can get behind that). Athletes get drafted and participate in an annual season. It all culminates in a championship this November in Las Vegas.
This is a new league starting this year, so we’ll break it down. A scored meet is called an “event,” where all eight teams compete. Teams are matched up one-on-one in “games,” daily competitions with five riders each. Riders have to last eight seconds to score, and then they’re given a point value. The highest team score at the end of the game gets a win, and team standings are based on the win-loss record.
Tate is now playing for the very city where he grew up watching pro riding. | Photo by KCtoday
KC Outlaws rider Tate Pollmeier
Now that you’re a fan, you get to meet one of the Outlaws. Tate grew up on a ranch in Fort Scott, KS (an hour and a half south of KC). Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to become a pro rider.
“Started riding sheep at four,” he said. “They’re pretty fast if they’re running.”
Fast forward, and he was drafted earlier this year — at 18 years old. It just so happened he was picked by KC, now riding in the very city where he grew up watching the pros.
“I’m really excited. Always wanted to ride here as a kid […] just dreaming of coming here. Now, the dream’s coming true.”
Toddler Time at Ceramic Cafe | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 9510 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS | $10 | Toddlers five and under get to paint one item from a selection. 🎨
OneRepublic | Fri., Aug. 5 | 7 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $61+ | You’ll surely be “Counting Stars” at the “Never Ending Summer Tour.” 🎸
Seussical: The Musical | Fri., Aug. 5-Sat., Aug. 6 | 7 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $34+ | The Culture House Presents a Broadway classic where all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life.
Saturday
Innovation Festival | Sat., Aug. 6 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Crown Center | Free+ | Beats, brews, and biologics come together as indie artists + innovators across science and tech collide for the first time. 🎉
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The results of the 2022 midterm election primary are in. Check the outcomes here. The winners will face off in the general midterm election on Tues., Nov. 8. Thanks for voting. 🗳️ (FOX4)
Biz
Specialty coffee collective Fairwave (owner of Messenger + The Roasterie) has acquired another company — Minneapolis-based UP Coffee Roasters. The addition brings the KC company to four major brands. Fairwave already owned Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, a different Twin Cities company. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Read
Grab a partner and muster up your bestclinch pose. Romance GenreCon returns to Mid-Continent Public Library. Head to the Woodneath Library Center — 8900 NE Flintlock Rd., KCMO — for this free event today-Sat., Aug 6. Register to meet authors, explore writing classes, and enjoy games with prizes. 🌹
Cause
Boulevard Brewing Company is pouring one out for charity. Introducing the Crowler Community program’s new partners. For each giant 32-oz can sold (~$15), Boulevard will give $5 to benefit Kansas City Irish Fest (August), Bridging the Gap (September), and Mattie Rhodes + the Westside Housing Organization (October).
Feel Good
Let’s welcome a new adorable addition to the Kansas City Zoo: two baby red pandas. The birth was part of the Species Survival Plan, a breeding initiative for species in decline. The girl’s name is Sundara, from “beautiful” in Nepalese, and the boy’s name is Zhuzi, from “bamboo” in Mandarin.
Correction
Yesterday, we told you that 5.11 Tactical was named after the hardest rock climbing difficulty, which is based on the Yosemite Decimal System. Well, climbers have gotten better, and that scale now goes up to 5.15. We’re waiting for the official rebranding. 🪨
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There’s an award ceremony, right? | Gif by KCtoday via Giphy
Thank you, thank you, thank you. KCtoday is the winner of Kansas City Magazine’s “Best Local Blog” category in its annual Best of KC election. This is decided by popular vote, so we truly couldn’t have done it without you.
Editor’s pick: Do you (or have you) ever gone canoeing or kayaking around KC? Bonus points if you’ve braved the Missouri River. We want to get out on the water, and we need your help. Send us an email about your experience, where to rent equipment, and the best spots around town.
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