Weekend Possibilities | Oktoberfests, Catfish Conference and Browne’s 135th Anniversary Appetizing Options
Published October 6th, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Above image credit: Oktoberfest returns to Crown Center this weekend. (Courtesy | KC Oktoberfest)The first weekend of the month calls for two of Kansas City’s biggest Oktoberfest celebrations, a scary dinner-and-a-movie experience and 18th & Vine’s first Gumbo Festival.
Basically, there will be plenty to eat.
Friday, Oct. 7
4 – 11 p.m. Friday marks the Grand Opening of Druid Dice Tabletop Game & Hobby, 2010 Main St. The new space on the edge of the Crossroads Arts District is celebrating the occasion with raffle prizes and roll-to-win games, snacks, drinks and plenty of open play tabletop board games to choose from.
5 – 11 p.m. KC Oktoberfest 2022 is scheduled for Friday evening and all day Saturday at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. The two-day celebration of German food, beer and culture will have live music and entertainment, games for the entire family, Bavarian food vendors and more. General admission tickets are $10. Table reservations are available for $150 to $225.
7 p.m. A trio of Akeelah and the Bee performances is coming to the Coterie Theater inside Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Friday. Based on the screenplay from Doug Atchison, the production centers on a girl with a natural talent for spelling, who is forced to forgo hiding her ability at the risk of being teased, only to wind up at the highest level of spelling competition. Daytime performances start at 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The evening show is a sensory friendly performance. Be sure to check online for ticket pricing.
Saturday, Oct. 8
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Catfish Conference 2022 is back in Kansas City this weekend at Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th St., this weekend. The fishing expo will have a few dozen booths to visit with information, products and demonstrations focused on boating, rods, bait, reels, fishing altogether and the outdoors in general. Be sure to look at the entire vendor list in advance. Tickets are $10 (two-day pass) ahead of time and $12 at the door.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. West Bottoms vintage hub Bella Patina is doing its monthly Vintage Revival thing this weekend, but making it spooky. Stop by the Halloween Vintage Revival weekend setup for 25,000 square feet of space to shop more than 80 vendors offering retro, rustic and refurbished clothes, furniture and knickknacks.
1 – 7:30 p.m. Browne’s Irish Marketplace, 3300 Pennsylvania Ave., is celebrating its 135th Anniversary Saturday. Join the party for live music, Guinness, Irish whiskey tastings, giveaways, Irish dancing, food trucks games and more. Tickets are $15. A portion of proceeds will support Steps of Faith Foundation.
3 p.m. The Kansas City Live! Block in the Power & Light District, 1330 Grand Blvd., is throwing a party to celebrate the season. Oktoberfest Live! will have competitions and games, weiner dog races, seasonal beers, food, live entertainment and more in the works for Saturday afternoon. The 21 and over event has general admission tickets available for $10, which includes your first drink. Check online for upgraded ticketed experiences.
Sunday, Oct. 9
Noon – 4 p.m. The inaugural Prospect KC Gumbo Festival is coming to the historic 18th & Vine District, 2000 Vine St. Plans for the afternoon include a gumbo competition, drinks, food trucks, live music from The Phantastics, Malek & The Vibes and DJ-Roc, plus an appearance from former Kansas City Chief Tamba Hali. Proceeds will be put toward The Prospect KC’s mission to empower individuals and communities through food-based solutions. Tickets start at $30.
6 p.m. Beer & Bourbon on the Boulevard Trivia Night should put the “fun” in fundraising Sunday evening at Boulevard Brewing Co., 2501 Southwest Blvd. Join the party to support the Liberty North High School Band Boosters, where there will be Boulevard beers, select bourbons up for raffle, dinner from Joe’s Kansas City Barbeque, plus trivia. Tickets are $100 each or $1,000 for a table of 10.
7:45 – 10 p.m. Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen, 1526 Walnut St., is embracing the Halloween spirit with Scary Movie Sundays all month long. Sunday night’s screening of “Halloween” (1978), should pair nicely with themed craft cocktails and bites from Tannin’s regular food menu. Reservations are required. Scary Movie Sundays are free to attend. Costumes are encouraged.
Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.