Weekend Possibilities | Celebration at the Station, Lawrence Busker Fest, The Mavericks Thank Them for Their Service
Published May 25th, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Above image credit: The climax of Celebration at the Station. (Contributed | Eric Williams)Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with special programming from the National World War I Museum and Memorial, including Celebration at the Station Sunday night. A weekend trip to Lawrence Busker Festival, bird watching and “E.T.” on the big screen are also on the menu.
Friday, May 26
4 – 5:30 p.m. There’s never a bad time to pick up bird watching. Wild Birds Unlimited, 11711 Roe Ave., will host a free Bird Walk Friday afternoon where a group will be led through Tomahawk Park on the hunt for migratory visitors and regional regulars, plus a lesson on using binoculars. Birders of any level are welcome. The walk will begin at Wild Birds Unlimited.
5 p.m. Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery, 16905 Jowler Creek Road, is throwing a Summer Kickoff party all weekend long. The Platte City winery will be serving up the regular pours, plus red, white and blue wine slushes. Live music will be provided by Terry Gann from 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday. Be sure to check out the full schedule of weekend events online.
8 p.m. The Mavericks are in town for three nights of live music at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave. The genre-bending Latin alternative country group returns to the East Bottoms following the No. 1 Billboard debut of their all-Spanish album “En Español.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $49.50, plus tax and fees.
Saturday, May 27
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Designs have been submitted, accepted and constructed for the latest rendition of Fortopia at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. Hwy 50. The popular event at the botanical garden brings dream forts by preschoolers, architects, artists, landscape designers and other community members to life in a nostalgic celebration of the outdoors. Be the first to check out the forts during the installment’s opening weekend. Fortopia is included in regular admission. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children.
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. There’s a free Madden Tournament Saturday morning with some serious prizes on the line. Kids ages 12 to 16 are invited to take their talents to ArtsTech, 1522 Holmes St., to go head-to-head with other fans of the popular football video game in a single-elimination tournament. First, second and third place finishers will be rewarded with $100, $50 and $25 BestBuy gift cards, respectively.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. St. Joseph, Missouri’s Alchemy Tea Co., 617 Felix St., will host its Tarot & Tea Flights event Saturday. The recently opened downtown St. Joe location will offer flights of five teas including hot, cold and boba options. Miss Kay’s Mystics will be set up in the space for tarot readings. There’s also a Puzzle Swap in the tea shop Saturday, so if you have an old puzzle laying around bring it along for $1 off on a drink.
3:30 – 9 p.m. It’s Los Monarchs Festival Latino weekend at Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy. A two-day celebration of music, food, art and culture, Festival Latino will have plenty of live music, local dance groups, a low rider car show, carnival rides, margaritas, food Lucha Libre wrestling and so much more. General admission two-day passes are $40, plus tax and fees. Make sure to check out the full musical lineup and more ticketing options ahead of time.
Sunday, May 28
1 p.m. Do you remember first watching “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” on the big screen? Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Road, is turning back the clock Sunday with an afternoon showing of the all-time Stephen Spielberg classic. Tickets are $8.
5 p.m. Mark off Sunday evening, grab a lawn chair or blanket and join the biggest Memorial Day party in town at Celebration at the Station. Set up between Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, and the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the celebration centers around a free patriotic performance from the Kansas City Symphony. Leading up to the show, festivities include food trucks, local vendors and music from Drive On the Back Alley Brass Band. Make sure to stay for the post-concert fireworks display. Celebration at the Station is free.
Monday, May 29
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. There is no shortage Memorial Day happenings Monday at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive. Visit the museum for a full day of special programming, including a formal Memorial Day ceremony with keynote speaker Lt. General John “J.T.” Thompson, a complimentary concert inside the museum, a bell tolling ceremony, a walk of honor dedication and more. Admission is free for active military and veterans and half price for the general all weekend.
12:30 p.m. Juggling, magic shows, fire breathing, sword swallowing – you name it – is coming to Lawrence Busker Festival, 8th and Massachusetts Street this weekend. Presented by Free State Beer, the four-day festival of street performers and busker workshops has a full schedule of entertainment set for downtown Lawrence. There will be beer for those 21 and older and plenty of food truck options available. The Busker Festival is free to attend. Performers appreciate tips.
Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.