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 Kansas City, MO -- Kansas City offers several fun events and festivals year-round—so many that the Urban Institute recently ranked Kansas City third among the top 50 cities in the country for the most festivals and special events. The following 10 events create big reasons to visit Kansas City in 2007. For a comprehensive calendar of events, go to VisitKC.com
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, www.kcirishparade.org
Kansas City hosts one of the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in downtown KC.
May 27
Celebration at the Station Symphony Concert, www.kcsymphony.org
Thousands gather for this free patriotic musical salute by the Kansas City Symphony that concludes with fireworks over the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
June 15-17
Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival, www.kcrhythmandribs.com
Blending two of Kansas City's richest traditions, jazz and barbecue, Rhythm & Ribs creates an exciting recipe for family fun with an amateur barbecue competition and national jazz acts in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District over Father's Day Weekend.
June 29-July 1
KC Riverfest, www.kcriverfest.com.com
Celebrate the Fourth along the Missouri River at Berkley Riverfront Park with family activities and fireworks over the river.
August 17-19
Ethnic Enrichment Festival, www.eeckc.org
One of the largest of its kind the Midwest, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival features more than 40 food booths, Scottish Highland games and other authentic ethnic entertainment.
August 31-September 2
Kansas City Irish Fest, 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 displays, ethnic food and extensive children’s activities.
August 31-September 3
Santa-Cali-Gon Days, 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.
September 21-23
Plaza Art Fair, www.countryclubplaza.com
For more than seven decades, the streets of the Country Club Plaza have become an outdoor art gallery each September as art enthusiasts flock to see displays of magnificent works of art from the nation’s top visual artists.
October 4-6
American Royal BBQ Contest, www.americanroyal.com
Considered the "World Series of BBQ," this competition is the largest BBQ contest in the world featuring more than 500 teams.
November 22-January 13
Country Club Plaza's Season of Lights, www.countryclubplaza.com
The Plaza lights have been a Kansas City holiday tradition for 80 years. More than 80 miles of lights outline the Spanish-influenced architecture of this prestigious shopping and dining district.
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Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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18th & Vine Historic Jazz District
Caption: The Museums at 18th & Vine include the American Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
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Celebration at the Station
Caption: The Memorial Day concert by the Kansas City Symphony at the Liberty Memorial draws thousands.
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Country Club Plaza Season of Lights
Caption: More than 80 miles of lights outline every building, dome and tower on the Country Club Plaza each holiday season. This image is not available for download.
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Country Club Plaza Season of Lights 2
Caption: More than 80 miles of lights outline every building, dome and tower on the Country Club Plaza each holiday season. This image is not available for download.
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Kansas City Irish Fest
Caption: Voted Kansas City's Favorite Festival, Irish Fest occurs every Labor Day weekend at Crown Center Square.
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