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Weekend Possibilities | Turkey Creek Festival, KC Tattoo Convention and Bluegrass in the Bottoms  No Excuses Not to Have Fun

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Above image credit: Bluegrass music icon Sam Bush plays Saturday evening as part of Bluegrass in the Bottoms this weekend at Grinders KC. (Courtesy | Sam Bush Media)
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3 minute read

Beer, bluegrass, Don Bosco’s block party, a Broadway musical — there are plenty of ways to enjoy May’s third weekend.

Friday, May 20

4 – 10 p.m. Transport Brewery is going big this weekend with its third-annual Maifest. The Shawnee, Kansas, beer makers have plans for three days of outdoor fun full of beer, food trucks, live music, a stein-holding contest and more behind the brewery. Transport will mark the weekend with the release of its brand-new maibock, though there should be something for everyone. Non-alcoholic beverages, ciders and other craft brews are also on the menu. The fest is free to attend. 

5 p.m. Back-to-back nights of Bluegrass in the Bottoms are coming for Grinders KC in the Crossroads, 1826 Locust St. This year’s lineup features a who’s who of the bluegrass scene, including Sierra Hull, Yonder Mountain String Band and Sam Bush to name a few. Individual and VIP tickets are available. Single day passes are $45. Two-day passes are $80.

The two-day schedule for Bluegrass in the Bottoms (Courtesy | Bluegrass in the Bottoms)

5 – 9 p.m. The third Friday of the month makes for an Art Walk evening in Kansas City, Kansas. The entire family is invited to Downtown KCK’s 6th Street, where work from local artists will be on display, not to mention activities for all ages and tasty food truck fare to fuel the walk.

5 – 9 p.m. The Bosco Block Party is back and you’re invited. Join the celebration of community at the Don Bosco Center, 526 Campbell St., where food trucks, live music, lawn games and beer will bring good cheer to the streets of Kansas City’s Columbus Park for one night only. Admission is free. 

Saturday, May 21

9 – 11 a.m. Is your kiddo ready to reel in a big one? The Spring Kids’ Fishing Derby is Saturday morning at Smith Lake in Leavenworth, Kansas, 290 Stimson Ave. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. before the kids are separated into five age groups, ranging from four and under to the13- to 15-year-old competition. There’s a prize for first, second and third in each age group. A cup of worms is $1. The entry fee is waived for children of Fort Leavenworth Rod & Gun Club members. Kids of non-members can compete for $3.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Stop by the Turkey Creek Festival at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Roa, and make plans to stay a while. The free, full day of fun will have live music from local artists like Quite Frankly the Band, a petting zoo and mobile zoo, inflatables, roaming Star Wars characters, good food and so much more. There’s a parking shuttle that will go back and forth from Nations Holding, 9001 W. 67th St.

2 – 11 p.m. Villain Arts’ Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival is taking over the Sheraton at Crown Center, 2345 McGee St., this weekend. The seventh-annual local convention will feature prominent artists best known for television appearances in “Ink Masters” and “Black Ink Atlanta,” plus entertainment throughout the weekend in magic shows, guest speaker sessions, best tattoo competitions and, of course, the chance to be tattooed. Be sure to check out the full schedule and details for booking an appointment to be inked at the convention online ahead of time. Single day admission is $20. Three-day passes are $40.

7 – 9 p.m. Lace up, there’s a Skate Party Saturday night at PH Coffee, 2200 Lexington Ave. The free session in the PH parking lot will have summer drinks and snacks available for purchase, plus groovy tunes from DJ /encode. Bring your own skates. Skaters of any experience level are welcome.

Sunday, May 22 

1 – 2:30 p.m. A burger and big laughs are one option for warding off the “Sunday scaries.” Reserve a seat for Ope! A Play and Cabaret at Westport Bowery, located in the Westport Flea Market, 817 Westport Road. Act I of the local production tells the story of a friend group’s dinner party taking an unusual turn. Act II will treat audience members to tunes from iconic musicals. Grab a burger from the Westport Flea Market ahead of time. Tickets to Sunday’s show start at $20.

8 p.m. The Broadway musical Waitress will wrap up its stop at Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, with a Sunday evening finale in the Swope Park theater. The award-winning musical about a waitress named Jenna takes audience members on a ride with the waitress and pie-making pro, as she attempts to create a new life away from her problematic marriage. The musical is produced by an all-female creative team and features an original soundtrack by Sara Bareilles. Tickets start at $15.

Flatland contributor Clarence Dennis also is a social media manager for 90.9 The Bridge.

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