Kansas City, Mo. – Kansas City offers several reasons to plan a getaway to this affordable metropolis this fall—more than 40 reasons, actually. Labor Day kicks off a jam-packed season of special events in Kansas City. The Urban Institute ranked Kansas City third among the country's top 50 cities for hosting the most festivals and special events, many of which occur in the fall. 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 fall events. For a complete list, go to VisitKC.com.

Aug. 29-31
Kansas City Irish Fest, Crown Center Square, Kansas City, Mo.
816-997-0837 www.kcirishfest.com
Celebrate KC’s deep Irish roots at one of the nation’s largest Irish festivals with traditional Irish music and Celtic rock from locally and nationally-known bands, award-winning Irish dancers, heritage workshops, ethnic food and extensive children’s activities.

August 29-31
Rock the Light, Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, Mo.
816-363-7827 www.rockthelight.com
In its eighth year, Rock the Light is the Midwest's largest contemporary Christian music festival.

August 29-September 1
Santa-Cali-Gon Days, Independence Square, Independence, Mo.
816-325-7111 www.visitindependence.com
Every Labor Day weekend, Independence celebrates its Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails heritage at this four-day street festival featuring one of the Midwest's largest arts and crafts shows, national country music and family entertainment.

Aug. 29-Nov. 8 (weekends)
The Beast and Edge of Hell haunted houses, Kansas City, Mo.
816-842-4279 www.edgeofhell.com
Kansas City’s nationally-known haunted houses frightens visitors with intense sensory stimulation and a cast of more than 50 scary actors.

Aug. 29-Oct. 12 (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. 5-7
Westport Art Fair, Pennsylvania & Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
913-533-2656 www.artwestport.net
Nearly 120 artists, food and drinks and live music.

September 5, October 3, November 7
First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, Mo.
913-530-6279, www.kccrossroads.org
Join the thousands that explore the galleries and shops in the Crossroads Arts District for one of the nation’s largest art walks.

Sept. 6
Lenexa Spinach Festival, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa, Kan.
913-541-0209 www.ci.lenexa.ks.us
The festival recalls Lenexa's days as the "Spinach Capital of the world.”

Sept. 8
Tour of Missouri, Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.
www.tourofmissouri.com
More than 120 of the world's top professional cyclists compete in this point-to-point race through the Show-Me State. Stage One occurs in Kansas City and includes the Country Club Plaza Women’s Pro Am Criterium.

Sept. 11-14
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.

Sept. 12-14
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. 12-13
First City Festival, Downtown Leavenworth Kan.
913-682-4113 www.leavenworthmainstreet.com/festival
The festival celebrates Leavenworth as being the first city in Kansas.

Sept. 13
International Lineman's Rodeo, National Agriculture Center & Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, Kan.
913-967-1865 www.linemansrodeokc.com
The 25th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks.

Sept. 13
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 13-14
Fiesta Hispana, Barney Allis Plaza, 12th & Central Sts., Kansas City, Mo.
(816) 452-4712 www.fiestahispanakc.com
Enjoy two days of family entertainment and culture with authentic food and dancing at the largest free Hispanic event in the Midwest.

Sept. 19-21
Ol Marais River Run Car Show, Downtown, Ottawa, Kan.
785-566-3419 www.olmarais.com
Now in its 22nd year, the premier Eastern Kansas car show features more than 1,200 cars and includes a 1960s themed cruise night.

Sept. 19-21
77th 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. 26-28
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. 26-28
Kansas City Oktoberfest, Crown Center and Union Station, Kansas City, Mo.
816-421-1539, www.kcoktoberfest.org
Kansas City’s largest Oktoberfest celebration features German entertainment, food, beer and an abundance of authentic German cultural activities and shows.

Sept 27-28
Wild West Show & Bullwhacker Days, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, Olathe, Kan.
913-971-5111, www.olatheks.org/mahaffie/about
Experience the 1860s with historical re-enactors depicting cowboys, Indians, mountain men, mounted cavalry, dance hall gals and more.

Sept. 27
83rd Annual American Royal Parade, Downtown, Kansas City, Mo.
816-221-9800, www.americanroyal.com
Kick off the American Royal season with the 83rd Annual American Royal Parade.

Sept. 27-Oct. 12
32nd 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. 2-5
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. 4
City Market Harvest Festival, City Market, Kansas City, Mo.
816-842-1271, www.thecitymarket.org
The Midwest’s largest farmers’ market hosts this annual event featuring food, music, activity tents, stagecoach rides, a pumpkin patch and the Harvest Festival Olympics.

Oct. 4
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, and learn about life on the farm through sheep shearing, cider pressing and toy making demonstrations.

Oct. 4-5
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. 4-5
Kaw Valley Farm Tour
785-979-2649, www.kawvalleyfarmtour.org
Tour 15 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 u-pick orchards and cow milking.

Oct. 4-5
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. 10-12
Pony Express Pumpkinfest, Pony Express National Museum, St. Joseph, Mo.
816-279-5059, www.stjomo.com
This family arts festival includes live entertainment, children’s costume parade, festival rides, pumpkin games and the lighting of the Great Pumpkin Mountain, containing hundreds of carved and electronically lit pumpkins.

Oct. 10-12
Weston Irish Fest, O'Malley's Irish Pub, Weston, Mo.
816-640-5235 www.westonirish.com
This ninth annual Irish festival features traditional Irish food, drink, storytelling and more than a dozen bands from across the U.S., Canada and Ireland.

Oct. 11
Autumn in the Grove, Kelly Grove Park, Lansing, Kan.
913-727-5488 www.lansing.ks.us
Learn about local products and enjoy fall activities such as pumpkin decorating, a scarecrow contest and a bon fire.

Oct. 11
Jazz and Wine Festival, Elms Resort Hotel & Spa, Excelsior Springs, Mo.
816-630-5500 www.elmsresort.com
Enjoy great jazz music and sample wine from around the world at the historic Elms Resort Hotel & Spa.

Oct. 11
Kansas City Chocolate Festival, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kan.
913-339-3000 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.

Oct. 11
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. 18
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. 19
Dogtober Fest 2007, Fleming Park, Blue Springs, Mo.
816-299-8980, www.jacksongov.org
Pet owners can visit booths featuring products and services, enter their dog in various contests and view informative demonstrations.

Oct. 24-25
2008 American Royal PRCA Rodeo, American Royal Complex, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
Watch America's top rodeo pros compete in the prestigious Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. After the Rodeo, see live performances from your favorite country music stars.

Oct. 25
Mystic Pumpkin Festival, Independence, Mo.
816-252-3372, www.englewoodstation.com.
This fall festival includes pumpkin decorating, haunted fire truck rides, outdoor Halloween movie and carnival rides.

Oct. 25
WaterFire Kansas City, Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.
816-221-5242, VisitKC.com
A unique, multi-sensory experience of music, water and floating bonfires set ablaze on the surface of Kansas City’s Brush Creek. Performances by singers and artistic dancers surrounding a Halloween theme.

Oct. 25-26
Militia Muster , Fort Osage, Sibley, Mo.
816-503-4860, www.jacksongov.org
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. 25-26
Boo at the Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City, Mo.
816.513.5800, www.kansascityzoo.org
Trick-or-Treat at a dozen animal-themed stations, march in the costume parade and tour the Haunted Pirate Ship at this family-friendly event.

Oct. 28-Nov. 2
American Royal Livestock Show, American Royal, Kansas City, Mo.
816-931-3330, www.americanroyal.com
With exhibitors from more than 33 states, this show is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country.

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
	Crown Center Pumpkin Patch Caption: Crown Center Square hosts many festivals throughout the year like the Halloween Pumpkin Patch. 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
	Oktoberfest Caption: Oktoberfest is held annually each September at Crown Center square. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	The Beast & The Edge of Hell haunted houses Caption: Nicknamed by many as the "Haunted House Capital of the Worlds," Kansas City has long had a reputation for elaborate haunted houses. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res
	Tour of Missouri Caption: Held every September, Tour of Missouri is a seven-day, 600-mile professional cycling race across the Show-Me State. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	WaterFire Kansas City, Brush Creek Caption: WaterFire is a unique, multi-sensory experience of music, fire and water. The 2008 presentation takes place on Oct. 25. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	WaterFire Kansas City, sidewalk performer Caption: WaterFire is a moving public art installation supported by international music and sidewalk performers. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.