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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City knows how to party. So much, in fact, that the Urban Institute of America ranked KC third among the country’s top 50 cities for its astonishing number of events and festivals, many of which occur during the fall season. Here’s a weekend-by-weekend look at some of the area’s largest and most distinctive happenings. For a complete list, go to VisitKC.com.
FEELING FESTIVE | Weekend Roundup for Sept. 11-13
- Outlaw or legend? The eight-day Jesse James Festival kicks off in his hometown of Kearney, Mo. Sept. 11-13, 15 & 17-20
- Huzzah! Rub elbows with pirates and princesses at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Weekends through Oct. 18
- KC’s historic Westport is the canvas for the 30th Annual Art Westport. All weekend
- KC’s Harley-Davidson plant gears up for Full Boar 2009—a fall open house complete with factory tours, demo rides, a stunt show and barbecue. Sept. 11-12
- Whether sweet or spicy, tempt your taste buds at Powell Garden’s Chile Pepper Fest. Sept. 12
- The Lenexa Spinach Festival celebrates what was once the “Spinach Capital of the World.” Sept. 12
- See the seven-day, 612-mile Tour of Missouri come to a dramatic close in Kansas City. Sept. 13
AUTUMN ADVENTURES | Weekend Roundup for Sept. 18-20
- More than 1,200 classic cars rev up for the Ol’ Marais River Run Car Show in Ottawa. Sept. 18-20
- Travel back to the Roaring 1920s to peruse handmade keepsakes and homemade goods at the Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair, a tradition for three decades. Sept. 19
- Save room for seconds at the Pig Pickin’ Chicken Lickin’ Feast, a yearly fundraiser for the continued restoration and maintenance of Independence’s historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Sept. 19
- Treat the family to a free day of fun at the Waldo Fall Festival, an annual party in the streets. Sept. 19
CULTURE CLUB | Weekend Roundup for Sept. 25-27
- Now in its 78th year, the Plaza Art Fair transforms the famed shopping district into a gorgeous outdoor gallery that you have to see to believe. All weekend
- Break out the lederhosen and roll out the barrel for Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest celebration. Sept. 25-26
- Brace yourself. Fog consumes the midways as KC’s largest Halloween event, Halloween Haunt, gets underway at Worlds of Fun. Sept. 25-Nov. 1
- The American Royal kicks off its eight-week festival season with KC’s longest-running parade. Sept. 26
- Calling all cowboys, mountain men and dance hall gals, step back into the 1860s for Olathe’s Wild West Show & Bullwhacker Days. Sept. 26-27
- Head to the Heart of America Quilt Festival at Crown Center to see a beautiful tapestry of handmade Americana. Sept. 26-Oct. 11
FALL IN FULL FORCE | Weekend Roundup for Oct. 1-4
- NASCAR’s biggest stars cruise into Kansas Speedway for Fall Race Weekend, featuring the Sprint Cup Series. All weekend
- Sample what’s saucy at the American Royal Barbecue. The world’s largest barbecue contest turns 30 this year. All weekend
- Join thousands downtown in the Crossroads Arts District for First Fridays—one of the nation’s largest art walks. Oct. 2
- Pumpkin bowling, anyone? A fun crop of family games is on tap for the City Market Harvest Festival. Oct. 3
- Try A Taste of Zona Rosa, an off-kilter art fest featuring painted violins and other musical masterpieces. Oct. 3
- Sample the Excelsior Springs Jazz and Wine Festival, a celebration of great tunes and great grapes. Oct. 3
- Missouri Town 1855 serves up a slice of 19th-century life for its annual Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music. Oct. 3-4
- Butter, cider and dumplings. Weston celebrates all things apple at its annual Applefest, a huge regional pick. Oct. 3-4
- From cow-milking to U-pick orchards, get hands-on for Lawrence’s Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Oct. 3-4
FRESH AIR FUN | Weekend Roundup for Oct. 9-11
- St. Joseph’s Pony Express Pumpkinfest celebrates the quintessential food of fall, right where the legendary postal service got its start. All weekend
- Everything’s comin’ up emerald! Head east to Weston for the city’s 10th Annual Irish Fest. All weekend
- Relive the 1800s at the Shoal Creek Living History Museum’s Harvest Festival—complete with sack races, buffalo-chip tossing and watermelon seed-spitting. Oct. 10
PUPS, PINTS & EVERYTHING BETWEEN | Weekend Roundup for Oct. 15-18
- Linemen from around the world take a break from their day jobs to compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo. Oct. 15-17
- Perfect for families, Powell Gardens’ Halloween Spooktacular features “fractured fairy tales” and an eerie Jack-o-Lantern Walk. Oct. 16-17
- Join real life Ghostbusters for a spooky lantern tour of the John Wornall House, built in 1858. Oct. 16-24
- Lace up for the Waddell & Reed KC Marathon, one of America’s fastest-growing races. Oct. 17
- Good times are brewing at The Legends’ KC Beerfest. More than 300 craft and import beers will be on hand. Oct. 17
- To man’s best friend, Dogtober Fest is a fetch with roll-over races, Frisbee face-offs and even an owner look-a-like contest. Oct. 18
TRIED & TRUE FAVORITES | Weekend Roundup for Oct. 22-24
- Watch America’s top rodeo pros compete in the prestigious Prairie Circuit Finals. All weekend
- For scare-free family fun, explore the Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park. Oct. 23-24 & 30-31
- WaterFire Kansas City—a unique, multi-sensory experience of music, fire and water—returns for one night only. Oct. 24
- Join the ranks at Militia Muster to watch Fort Osage soldiers as they prepare for the War of 1812 against Britain. Oct. 24-25
- What goes bump in the night? Boo at the Zoo, of course, where you can trick-or-treat among more than 1,000 wild animals. Oct. 24-25
For more information about Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com or call 877-523-5286.
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