Weekends in Kansas City are prime time for events, so we like to have plenty scheduled throughout the year. However, if you’re a food lover, you definitely can’t miss these festivals in and around the city. Mark these dates on your calendar, and remember to save room that day for amazing eats!
1. Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival (Independence) - Summer 2018
Every year, many antique dealers and crafters are set up around the mansion, ready to celebrate the harvest of these sweet treats. The Vaile Society will be selling strawberry goodies of all kinds, and people of any age will enjoy running around the grounds and gazing up at the tallest point of the mansion.
2. Festa Italiana (Kansas City) - Summer 2018
Admission to this festival is free, and it's a great place to immerse yourself in Italian culture... especially the cuisine! The festival is one of the city's most popular, but it also acts as a fundraiser; all proceeds give the opportunity to award thousands of dollars in scholarships every year to high school students.
3. Heart of America Hot Dog Festival (Kansas City) - August 2018
This festival is held by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and is partially a music festival that celebrates the connection between baseball and hot dogs. Honestly, where else could you get hot dogs seven different ways?
4. Ethnic Enrichment Festival (Kansas City) - 3rd full weekend of August 2018
There are a lot of ethnic festivals in the area, but this one is by far the largest. It's filled with contributions from over 60 different cultures, each displaying a different part of their traditions or crafts. Can you imagine how great each country's food is?
5. Bacon-Fest (Kansas City) - August 2018
Bacon is already the favorite meat of many Americans, but it gets its own festival right here in Kansas City to benefit local charities! Is there any better reason to go "pig out" at this festival?
6. American Royal World Series of Barbecue (Kansas City) - Fall 2018
There's no barbecue festival bigger than the American Royal in Kansas City. It's like if you merged the sheer size of a barbecue competition in Kansas City with the events and activities found at the State Fair. It's a match made in heaven!
7. The 57th Annual Greek Festival (Kansas City) - September 2018
The Greek Festival is similar to Festa Italiana, except a whole other world of culture and cuisine. Authentic Greek food isn't easily found around here, and many of us have never seen their traditional Greek music or dance, so this event is a great opportunity to expand your worldview. Admission is free, and a portion of the proceeds go directly to charity.
8. Kansas City Kosher BBQ Championship (Overland Park) - September 2018
This festival and competition is everything you love about The American Royal, except it's kosher! It merges the two areas of culture to help everyone learn more about the meaning of kosher and the Jewish culture.
9. Weston Applefest (Weston) - October 2018
This applefest happens right around harvest every year in Weston. For almost three decades now, this fall festival has been dedicating parades, crafts, shops, and everything imaginable to apples. Kids can try making cider and watch apple butter being made over an open fire. What isn't there to love?
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