Weekend Possibilities | Chiefs Preseason, Crossroads Music Fest and Birds Hot Fun in the Summertime

The dog days of summer are here. (Woof.) Beat the back-to-school blues and crazy heat with live music, bird watching and the Chiefs.

Friday, Aug. 25

4 – 7 p.m. Compost Collective Kansas City is seeking volunteers for Friday’s Happy Hour Bagging Event at Urbavore Urban Farm, 5500 Bennington Ave. After filling bags with fresh, finished compost, helping hands will get happy hour drinks, plus a bag of compost to take home to your garden. Organizers ask that you bring your own cup.

5 – 6:30 p.m. Need a new hobby? The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a Learn to Fish session Friday, focused on fly fishing. Bait, poles and tackle will be provided to those registered for the lesson at Everyday Pond, James McCarthy Drive, on campus at Missouri Western in St. Joseph. Attendees can expect a brief lesson in fly fishing technique before trying it out for real. Anyone over 15 must have a fishing license. The Learn to Fish session is free.

5 – 11 p.m. It’s Tiblow Days weekend in Downtown Bonner Springs, Kansas, 206 E. Cedar St. Each summer, the three-day festival brings food trucks, festival food, live entertainment, a beer tent, carnival rides, a free kid’s zone and local vendors to the heart of Bonner Springs. Friday night’s live music lineup includes a City Band Concert at 7 p.m., followed by the Stolen Winnebagos at 8:30 p.m. Carnival wristbands will be available for purchase. Tiblow Days is free to attend.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Noon The Chiefs play their first and only preseason game in the cozy confines of Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. The final tune-up before football that counts should feature at least a little action from starters like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Parking lots open at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are available starting at $30, plus tax and fees.

Noon – 1 a.m. More than 25 artists will perform across six stages throughout the West Bottoms for this year’s Crossroads Music Festival. The single-day fest features both up-and-coming talent and local legends like Mireya Ramos, KC Latin Jazz Orchestra, Trevor Turla and Men of Men, to name just a few. Festival passes are available for $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Be sure to check out the full list of artists and venues online in advance. Kids under 12 get in for free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

5 – 10 p.m. The American Jazz Museum is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with live music at 18^th & Vine St. In The Yard is a free outdoor concert that coincides with Charlie “Yardbird” Parker’s birthday. Saturday’s lineup includes Logan Richardson & Blues People featuring Marquis Hill, Dwele and a “Happy Birthday Charlie Parker Sax Salute.” Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. There will be food trucks, lawn games and family-friendly activities on the side.

7 p.m. Breakout hip-hop-country music crossover star Jelly Roll will play at T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Saturday night. The “Backroad Baptism Tour” stops in Kansas City following the budding star’s breakout 2022 “Whitsitt Chapel” record. Josh Adam Meyers, Struggle Jennings and Ashley McBryde will open. Resale tickets are available online. Prices vary.

Sunday, Aug. 27

Noon Break out the binoculars, The Big Sit is Sunday afternoon at Tomahawk Creek Park, College Boulevard and Tomahawk Parkway in Leawood. The bird-watching extravaganza by Wild Birds Unlimited will provide a space for nature lovers to sit and chat about the great outdoors and learn a thing or two about watching birds. Bring a cool drink and snacks. The Big Sit is free to attend. Experience isn’t required.

6 – 10 p.m. Wrap up the weekend gathered around a board game at The Wyld Bar and Café, 4601 Shawnee Drive. The fairy-themed Shawnee bar’s Sunday Board Game Social brings more than 50 games to the table(s), where community members come together for food, drinks and fun. The Board Game Social is free.

8 p.m. Raising money and laughter is the plan for Sunday evening’s Parody-For-Charity live reading of “Predator” at the Black Box, 1060 Union Ave. Spots are still available to laugh along to the comedic reading of the 1987 action/sci-fi movie, with proceeds going to local charities or arts organizations. A $10 donation is required at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The reading is rated “R.”

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.