Weekend Possibilities | Plaza Art Fair, Overland Park Fall Festival and Anime Trivia Rites of Fall

Fall is officially here and so are the festivals. Weekend warriors have their choice of the Plaza Art Fair, Overland Park Fall Festival, Apple Fest and more.

Friday, Sept. 23

5 – 8 p.m. The Overland Park Fall Festival starts Friday evening across Old Overland Park, 7935 Santa Fe Drive. The two-day celebration of the season will offer plenty to eat, a farmers market, artisan craft fair, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. Friday’s performances kick off with glowing displays from the StoneLion Puppet Theater, followed by Suzette Woods, Thieves of Flight and Tricks of the Light. The festival is free.

5 – 10 p.m. More than 250,000 visitors are expected to pass through the 91st Annual Plaza Art Fair, 4706 Broadway, this weekend. Join the crowd to check out works from 240 participating artists, 20 restaurant booths and live music all weekend long. Be sure to check out the full list of vendors, live acts and more online in advance. Attending the Plaza Art Fair is free.

8 p.m. Put some of that television knowledge to the test at Friday night’s Anime Trivia at ReRoll Tavern, 2368 Armour Road. The board and video game bar will have drinks and bites available for participating teams and spectators. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Anime Trivia is free to play.

Saturday, Sept. 24

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hands-on activities, games, presentations and performances will all be a part of Save the Monarch Butterfly 60,000 Tree Challenge North American Boxcar Tour stop at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. Designed to promote sustainable solutions to challenges facing the protection of the pollinators, the event will feature members from the Kansas City Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Department of Conservation, Monarch Watch and more. Food trucks will be onsite. The event is free to attend.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. If adding to the wardrobe and eating a bite, plus a drink, sounds like a solid Saturday, stop by Parlor’s KC Vintage Flea Market, 1707 Locust St. The market will offer some of the best threads from 20 different vintage vendors around town. There is no cost of admission.

9:30 – 10:30 p.m. Fowl Play: A Stand Up Showcase by The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St. Hosted by Geneva Copeland and Jamie Campbell, the comedy show in the Crossroads Arts District will feature some of the best performers out of recent open mics. Tickets are $12.

7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for Saturday’s opening performance of “Carmen” from Lyric Opera of Kansas City at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. Written in 1875 by Georges Bizet, the classic opera tells the story of a woman moving through romantic relationships with plenty of tricks up her sleeve. Tickets are available starting at $48.50, plus tax and fees.

Sunday, Sept. 25

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Apple Fest 2022 presented by Grinter Place Friends and Strawberry Swing is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Grinter Place Historic Site, 1420 S. 78th St. Head to the festival Sunday for artist and makers booths, food trucks, live music and entertainment, a pie eating contest and much more. The 50th Apple Fest is free to attend.

Noon If you haven’t had the chance to check out Tin Roof in Westport, 424 Westport Road., attending Sunday’s Chiefs Watch Party at the live music bar should be a hoot. Tin Roof plans for pre- and post-game entertainment, halftime contests and giveaways. Don’t worry, the game audio will be on full blast. Just be sure to arrive in time to grab a table.

Noon North Kansas City’s Cinder Block Brewery, 110 E. 18th Ave., is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a week-long celebration that starts Sunday with Bottomless Champagne Cider Mimosas. Kick off the party and wrap up the weekend with the all-you-can-drink option, plus cider donuts from Donut King. Be sure to check online for a full schedule of events. As usual, the diet starts Monday.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.