Pair of Downtown Festivals Saturday Promises a Great Day of Beer and Music

By Kevin Collison

A pair of fun annual events are overlapping Saturday in downtown Kansas City, promising a day of great live music and a huge selection of craft beers.

Beginning at 3 p.m., the Ninth Annual KC Beer Fest will take over Grand Boulevard from 13th to 14th streets and the adjoining Power & Light District. And from 11 a.m. until late, the 13th Annual Crossroads Music Fest takes over a multi-block section of that district.

The KC Beer Fest will feature more than 70 breweries from around the country and is sponsored by Flying Saucer and the Power & Light District, according to a release promoting the event. More than 200 craft beer samplings will be on tap.

Ticket holders will get a souvenir tasking glass and unlimited samplings. Besides beer, there will be lawn games and entertainment. And you can drink good beer to help people in other parts of the world drink good water.

A portion of all ticket sales will donate to local nonprofit Drink Local Think Global. The organization focuses its efforts on organizing collaborative events with craft breweries to bring people together through beer in order to raise awareness and funding for the global water crisis.

Drink Local Think Global will have a team on site at KC Beer Fest to raise additional funds via raffles and giveaways.

Tickets are on sale now at www.KCBeerFest.com. VIP tickets are $65 today, $70 on Saturday. General admission tickets are $40 today and $45 on Saturday. VIP access begins at 2 p.m., general admission at 3 p.m. You must be at least 21 to attend.

The VIP ticket gets you access to an exclusive hospitality area with complimentary appetizers from 2-4 p.m. and private restrooms during the festival. VIPs will also receive a free KC Beer Fest souvenir t-shirt.

Crossroads Music Festival Map

On the other side of the South Loop, the Crossroads Music Fest kicks off at 11 a.m. with day parties at the Brewery Emperial and Josey Records. The music goes from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at nine different stages and clubs in a three block area of the Crossroads Arts District.

From 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., the “Barley Bus” will be shuttling throughout the area.

The event is a fundraiser for 90.1 FM KKFI community radio.

“Designed to showcase the best in Kansas City’s music, arts and dance scene, the Crossroads Music Fest provides opportunities for community members of all ages to support its local artists and celebrate Kansas City’s cultural diversity,” according to a statement by organizers.

General admission is $20 in advance, $25 on Saturday. A VIP pass costs $75 in advance, $90 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.