KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A refreshing crispness in the air and vibrant colors on the trees usher in fall in Kansas City. From September through November, the area comes to life with outdoor festivals and special events celebrating the season. These events offer a unique opportunity to discover the sights, sounds and culture of Kansas City. Below are some of the area's largest and most unique events. For a complete list, go to VisitKC.com.

Sept 1-Oct. 14 (weekends, Labor Day and Columbus Day)
Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bonner Springs, Kan.
800-373-0357 www.kcrenfest.com
A 16th-century English marketplace comes to life for seven weekends amid a beautiful wooded setting as fair damsels, jousting knights, sorcerers, artisans and performers entertain in authentic costumes.

Sept. 7-9
Westport Art Fair, Pennsylvania & Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
816-531-4370 www.artwestport.net
Nearly 120 artists, food and drinks and live music.

Sept. 8
Lenexa Spinach Festival, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, Kan.
913-541-8592 www.ci.lenexa.ks.us
The festival recalls Lenexa's days as the "Spinach Capital of the world."

Sept. 8
Missouri Town 1855 Music Festival, Fleming Park, Independence, Mo.
816-503-4860, www.jacksongov.org
Let the sounds of the 1850s entertain you with melodious music from the dulcimer to the vibrant sounds of the fiddle in songs that have been handed down for generations.

Sept. 14-6
Platte County Arts Fair at Zona Rosa, I-29 & Barry Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
816-587-8180, www.zonarosa.com
Local visual and performance-based artists come together to show and sell their work.

Sept. 15
3rd Annual Kansas City Chocolate Festival, Bartle Hall, Kansas City, Mo.
816-531-7788, www.kansascitychocolatefestival.com
Numerous chocolate vendors sell and offer samples of anything to do with chocolate, while activities include a chocolate sculpture show, musicians, magicians, puppet shows, cookie decorating and more.

Sept. 15-16
Ol Marais River Run Car Show, Downtown, Ottawa, Kan.
785-566-3419, www.olmarais.com
Now in its 21st year, the premier Eastern Kansas car show features more than 1,200 cars and includes an old-fashioned Saturday Night Cruise.

Sept. 21-23
76th Annual Plaza Art Fair, Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.
816-753-0100 www.countryclubplaza.com
The Country Club Plaza becomes an outdoor gallery as art enthusiasts flock to see displays of magnificent works from the nation's top visual artists.

Sept. 21-23
Kansas City Oktoberfest, Crown Center and Union Station, Kansas City, Mo.
816-221-0636, www.kcoktoberfest.org
Kansas City's largest Oktoberfest celebration features German entertainment, food, beer, an abundance of authentic German cultural activities and shows and the largest Beer Hall in the Midwest.

Sept 22-23
Wild West Show & Bullwhacker Days, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, Olathe, Kan.
913-971-5111, www.olatheks.org/visitors/mahaffie
Experience the 1860s with historical re-enactors depicting cowboys, Indians, mountain men, mounted cavalry, dance hall gals and more.

Sept 22-23
Fiesta Hispana, Barney Allis Plaza, 12th & Central Sts., Kansas City, Mo.
816-289-3005, www.fiestahispanakc.com
Enjoy two days of great family entertainment and culture with authentic food and dancing.

Sept. 29
American Royal Parade, Downtown, Kansas City, Mo.
816-221-9800, www.americanroyal.com
Kick off the American Royal season with the 82nd Annual American Royal Parade.

Sept. 29-30
Arabian Horse Show, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
See an exotic spectacle of native costumes and amazing horsemanship as you watch horses and riders from around the Midwest compete in classes designed to show off the stamina, spirit and versatility of this proud breed.

Sept. 29-Oct. 14
31st Annual Heart of America Quilt Festival, Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo.
816-274-8444, www.crowncenter.com
The Greater Kansas City Quilters Guild presents this showing of beautifully crafted quilts, wall hangings and decorative items.

Oct. 4-7
American Royal BBQ Contest, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-221-9800, www.americanroyal.com
Considered the "world series of BBQ," this competition includes nearly 500 teams and has become the largest BBQ contest in the world.

Oct. 6
Fall on the Farm, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park & Historic Site, Lawson, Mo.
816-580-3387, www.watkinsmill.org
Join costumed interpreters as they demonstrate rural life of the 1870s, or participate in activities like 1870s townball (baseball game).

Oct. 6-7
Annual Weston Applefest Celebration, Downtown, Weston, Mo.
816-640-2909, www.westonmo.com
Known as one of the most outstanding fall festivals in the Midwest, folk artists show their handcrafted favorites in the historic district along Weston's Main Street while cider is pressed and apple butter is cooked.

Oct. 6-7
Kaw Valley Farm Tour
785-843-7058, www.visitlawrence.com/farmtour
Tour 14 Lawrence-area wineries, farms and nurseries on this auto tour, where at each stop families can participate in fall farm activities-ranging from straw mazes and sack races to "you-pick" orchards and cow milking.

Oct. 6-7
Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music, Fleming Park, Independence, Mo.
816-503-4860, www.jacksongov.org/rec.shtml
Traditional artists and crafters bring Missouri Town 1855 alive for visitors at this annual festival featuring storytelling, music and dancing.

Oct. 13
Shoal Creek Living History Museum's Harvest Festival
816-792-2655, www.kcmo.org/parks
Relive the 1800s with re-enactors, watermelon-spitting contests and buffalo-chip tossing.

Oct. 13-14
City Market 150th Anniversary Celebration: Harvest Festival
816-842-1271, www.thecitymarket.org
Celebrate City Market's 150th year with its annual Harvest Festival, featuring food, fun and music plus activity tents, stagecoach rides, a pumpkin patch and the Harvest Festival Olympics.

Oct. 17-22
American Royal Livestock Show, American Royal, Kansas City, Mo.
With exhibitors from more than 33 states, this show is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country.

Oct. 20
Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon
816-474-4652, www.kcmarathon.org
The Kansas City Marathon is here again to take an estimated 3,000 runners through 26.2 miles of neighborhoods, parks and historic districts.

Oct. 20-21
Militia Muster, Fort Osage, Sibley, Mo.
816-503-4860, www.jacksongov.org/rec.shtml
Observe the training and drilling of a garrison of regular soldiers and volunteer militia as they prepare for the War of 1812 against Britain.

Oct. 21
Dogtober Fest 2007, Fleming Park, Blue Springs, Mo.
816-299-8980, www.jacksongov.org/rec.shtml
Pet owners can visit booths featuring products and services, enter their dog in various contests and view informative demonstrations.

Oct. 24-27
2007 American Royal PRCA Rodeo, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
Join America's top rodeo pros at the American Royal Rodeo Finals. After the Rodeo, see live performances from your favorite country music stars.

Oct. 26-28
American Royal Quarter Horse Show, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
The nation's best quarter horses compete in halter and performance classes.

Oct. 27
International Lineman's Rodeo, National Agriculture Center & Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, Kan.
913-721-1075, www.linemansrodeokc.com
The 23rd Annual International Lineman's Rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks.

Oct. 31-Nov. 4
American Royal Hunter/Jumper Horse Show, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
Don't miss the excitement, fun and adrenaline rush of this Olympic-caliber event, a showcase combining athleticism and grace.

Nov. 3
$25,000 Roy A. Edwards Memorial Grand Prix, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
Walk through the stalls and select your favorite horses before you marvel at the best horses and riders in the country soaring their way to the $25,000 prize.

For more information about Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com or call 877-523-5286.

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Photo Credit:  Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association

	American Royal Rodeo Caption: The American Royal Complex hosts rodeos, livestock competitions and horse shows for five weeks each fall. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	American Royal, bullriding Caption: The American Royal Complex hosts rodeos, livestock competitions and horse shows for five weeks each fall. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	City Market Caption: The City Market is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and merchants, plus one of the largest farmers' markets in the Midwest. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	Country Club Plaza Caption: The Moorish architecture of the 14-square-block Country Club Plaza is modeled after Seville, Spain. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	Kansas City Irish Fest Caption: Voted Kansas City's Favorite Festival, Irish Fest occurs every Labor Day weekend at Crown Center Square. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	Kansas City Renaissance Festival Caption: The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is held annually on weekends from Labor Day to Columbus Day. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	Oktoberfest Caption: Oktoberfest is held annually each September at Crown Center square. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res