Kansas City will celebrate Henry Perry Day on Friday, July 3, at the Museum of BBQ with free admission, a sampling of barbecue and a community gathering honoring the man widely known as the “Father of Kansas City barbecue.”

A native of Tennessee, Henry Perry began selling smoked meats in Kansas City’s Garment District in 1908, building a loyal following that helped establish the city as a national barbecue destination. More than a century later, his influence continues to shape Kansas City’s identity as one of the country’s leading barbecue cities.

In 2020, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas formally proclaimed July 3 as Henry Perry Day in recognition of Perry’s lasting impact. The designation coincided with the centennial of a community barbecue hosted by Perry, where he served more than 1,000 Kansas Citians.

Museum admission will be free for guests on July 3, with Prairie Fresh, a Kansas City-based, American-owned pork brand and Museum sponsor, donating the equivalent of that day’s ticket proceeds to the Henry Perry Foundation in partnership with the Museum of BBQ. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary smoked rib prepared on-site by Burnt End Barbecue. The Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bernetta McKindra, Perry’s granddaughter and founder of the Henry Perry Foundation, will be at the Museum on July 3, sharing stories about her grandfather’s legacy and the Foundation’s work supporting youth education, community awareness and childcare scholarships.