Weekend Possibilities | Boulevardia, Juneteenth and Father’s Day Do it With Dad
Published June 15th, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Above image credit: Artwork doubled as signs and selfie opportunities for Boulevardia attendees. (Chris Mullins | Flatland)Father’s Day will share the long weekend with Boulevardia and Juneteenth festivities. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, consider escape rooms at Union Station or a brand-new art exhibit in Overland Park.
Why not do it all with dad?
Friday, June 16
4 p.m. Boulevardia is back this weekend at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. The two-day music festival will bring national and local acts to multiple stages across the area surrounding Crown Center and is headlined by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Surfaces, The War & Treaty and Grandson. In addition to a full schedule of live music, Boulevardia makes room for a Taps & Taste experience, silent discos, a roller-skating party, bike rides, a Proper Cannabis VIP Experience, local vendors and so much more. Single-day tickets are $50 in advance and $55 the day of the event. Be sure to check out the full lineup and schedule online in advance and, most importantly, stay hydrated.
5 – 7 p.m. Oh, The Places We Will Go is the latest exhibition to go on display at 80 Santa Fe Art Gallery in Overland Park, 7944 Santa Fe Drive. You can be among the first to check out the new exhibit from artists who expand their knowledge, discover other cultures and make valuable connections through art and travel at the opening reception Friday evening. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres are provided. The reception is free.
Saturday, June 17
Noon – 10 p.m. The Juneteenth KC 2023 Heritage Festival is set for Saturday afternoon and evening throughout the 18th & Vine area. Stop by the free festival for all sorts of entertainment on the main stage, a youth zone with puppet shows, face painting, sidewalk chalk drawing and book distribution, plus local vendors, food, drinks and more. Be sure to check out the full schedule of events before heading out the door.
4 – 7 p.m. Channel your inner Joey Chestnut, the Kansas City Roller Warriors are hosting a Hot Dog Eating Contest in Kansas City, Kansas. Don’t worry about beating Chestnut’s record of 63 hot dogs in just 10 minutes, the amateur competitive eating event at 403 Club, 614 Reynolds Ave., is challenging the hungry to consume just 10 hot dogs in three minutes. Registration is $10 and goes to the person who eats their dogs the fastest. The eating contest starts at 5 p.m. Spectators and non-competitors are invited to join the roller derby fundraiser and enjoy the cookout at a normal pace of consumption.
6 p.m. KC Wine Co., 13875 S. Gardner Road, is inviting (recent) history buffs to the vineyard and winery for 2000s Bingo Saturday. Assemble a team well versed in the decade’s politics, pop culture, movies and music for a chance at prizes for top performers. You must be 21 or older to play. Bingo is free.
7:30 p.m. A multimedia musical celebration of LGBTQ life, love, family and perseverance, Disney Pride in Concert from the Heartland Men’s Chorus comes to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Saturday evening. The performance from 150 vocalists and a 25-piece orchestra will draw from popular Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid” and “Mary Poppins,” in addition to modern movies like “Wreck it Ralph” and “Zootopia.” Tickets are available starting at $33.50, plus tax and fees.
Sunday, June 18
9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Love a “who done it?” You can jump right into the middle of a mystery at Escape Room’s 221B Baker Street inside Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. The old-timey London escape room challenges you and your team to take over a murder investigation, find the killer and save their next victim before it’s too late. The challenge is $32 per person. Your team can include up to 12 people. Book online in advance.
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. J. Rieger & Co., 2700 Guinotte Ave., is dedicating Sunday to the dads with Bourbon & BBQ in the East Bottoms. The Father’s Day celebration will have $8 box car mint juleps, $8 Old Fashions and barbecue specials at the Electric Park Garden Bar food truck. Help lay the day’s soundtrack and bring a vinyl record to work into the rotation. DJ Smallz is spinning tunes 1-4 p.m. There is no admission fee.
1 – 3 p.m. Goat & Rabbit, 1804 W. 39th St., had a similar idea, also planning to raise a glass to dads with a Father’s Day Whiskey Tasting. The afternoon will include a flight of three whiskeys, a proper Old Fashion cocktail, plus a lesson on recreating the beverage, along with a gift bag to take home. Tickets are $40 per person.
Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.