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Weekend Possibilities | Platte County Fair, Christmas in July and Movie On The Water Beat the Heat

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Above image credit: The 158th Platte County Fair wraps up this weekend. (Courtesy | Platte County Fair/Facebook)
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3 minute read

If you are looking for creative ways to defy soaring temperatures this weekend, we’re here to help. Just drop by downtown Liberty to celebrate Christmas in July, then head to Paola to hop in the floatation device of your choice to take in a movie on the water.

Voila! Problem solved.

Friday, July 23

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Merry Christmas (in July). Downtown Liberty, Missouri, is providing the yuletide vibes all weekend long. Christmas in July on historic Main Street in Liberty, 118 N. Main St., will bring the holiday spirit via open house pop-ups and sidewalk sales across 27 shops and 13 different eateries. Go ahead and get some ultra-early shopping done. Just remember where you stash the gifts until the big man makes his rounds.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. A safe space to enjoy healthy and reliable food is opening in Overland Park. ProteinHouse, 6801 W. 135th St., promises just that and has plans to celebrate with a grand opening event. You can stop by the chain’s second area location for a free protein shake, cookie and enter a raffle for the chance to win Chiefs or Royals tickets. Interested in a meal? The ProteinHouse menu is packed with nutritious options, from breakfast sandwiches to bowls and plenty of greens in between.

The Platte County Fair has brought community members together annually since 1863. This week marks a return to the grounds in Tracy, Missouri, 15730 Fairgrounds Road, following last summer’s pandemic cancellation. The fair’s weekend agenda includes a demolition derby, petting zoo, floral show, fair food and beer stations galore. And that’s barely scratching the surface. Be sure to check online for a full schedule of events. Tickets are $15 and are available both online and at the gate (cash only).

Saturday, July 24

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. It’s tomato season and what better way to celebrate the fruit than Brookside Farmers Market’s Tomato Festival? The full day of activities at HJ’s Youth and Community Center, 6425 Wornall Road, includes chef and tomato canning demonstrations, local ingredients, contests, prizes,  live music and more. Tomato Fest is free to attend.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The State of Missouri turns 200 this year and Kansas City is celebrating this Saturday at Chouteau Greenway Park, 3904 N.E. Chouteau Trafficway. Meet near the François Chouteau & Native American Heritage Fountain for the celebration, which will include the debut performance of Tartuffenthrope!, a play from KC Molière 400, live music, fur trapping reenactments, Native American dancers, period fiddlers and more. Organizers plan to reveal a new bronze sculpture commemorating the state’s bicentennial and treat the crowd to food trucks, covered wagon rides and other activities for the kids. The event is free to attend.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. It’s the opening weekend for the Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50. This summer’s festival offers a series of butterfly exhibits and themed experiences that span throughout the botanical gardens. Guests will get to know fluttery friends from regions all over the world, including monarchs roaming a replica space of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12.

7 – 11 p.m. You can catch a film and a float Saturday night with KC Water Sports in Paola, Kansas, 25825 Edgemore Road. Movie On The Water invites guests to a screening of “The Meg” (2018) on a 40-foot screen, viewable from a floating device of your choosing. The high-quality screening will be accompanied by food trucks and games. Tickets are $23.99. If you don’t have a tube, paddleboard, canoe or kayak, tubes are available for purchase at the event for $20.

Sunday, July 25

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. McClain’s Market in Shawnee, 5833 Niemen Road, is inviting Flatlanders Flower Truck to its parking lot Sunday. In addition to fresh bouquets off the truck, there will be racks of vintage and gently worn children’s clothing from the folks at Maypop to peruse while enjoying a cup from the bakery-eatery-cafe.

10:15 – 11:15 a.m. But what do those sculptures mean? Outdoor Art Talks by Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., aims to answer that question and more. Register for Sunday’s event for a guided tour of the Kemper grounds and a closer look at the architecture and large sculptures that surround the museum. Outdoor Art Talks are free, however registration is required and does not guarantee admission. Capacity is limited.

Access to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art from 45th Street would be the gateway to a potential unified Kansas City Cultural District.
Kemper Museum Sculpture. (Kevin Collison | CitySceneKC)

1 – 3:30 p.m. No one does dog treats quite like Mixed Mutt Creamery, 1607 W. 39th St. The artisan doggie ice cream shop has plans to hold a special Adoption and Ice Cream Pawty Sunday afternoon, where pet lovers can treat their furry friends to something sweet and perhaps add to the family. Dogs and cats will be available for adoption at the event, courtesy of Midwest Animal Sanctuary. Mixed Mutt also stocks a few of the necessities when it comes to bringing home a rescue, like dog shampoo, car seat coverings and a collection of cute puppy apparel.

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