Downtown is Center for 816 Day Celebration This Thursday

By Kim Mueller

Downtown neighbors will celebrate all things Kansas City on Thursday during the second annual 816Day event inspired by the city’s area code.

“It’s a great time to show some love for Kansas City with an emphasis on downtown,” said Jared Campbell, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

Celebrating a city’s area code is not unique to Kansas City.

Nashville holds a 615 Day block party. Denver observes 404 Day throughout the state. And Chicago stretches its 312 Day into a weeklong drinking party.

Jared Campbell (Photo by Kim Mueller)

“We caught wind of this trend last year and decided to try it at Home Slice,” Campbell said. “It was a lot of fun. So for the event this year, we pulled in more partners to make it bigger and better.”

This year’s event is sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Kansas City Streetcar Authority, Downtown Council of Kansas City, City Market, Kansas City Power & Light District, Crossroads Community Association, John’s Big Deck and Do816.com.

Kansas City’s 816Day festivities will start as early as 10 a.m. with an $8.16 Braids and Bubbly special at Posh KC Blow Dry Bar, 1211 Main St.

Champagne also will flow at The Polished Edge, 1360 Main St., starting at noon where Kansas City themed jewelry will be given away after the trunk show.

The KC Streetcar joins the festivities from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm when sketch artist Michael McQuary will rapidly draw portraits of streetcar riders.

KC Streetcar also will sponsor a concert featuring 90’s rock band Thunder Jacket at the City Market from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. for adults and children.

For a more relaxed evening celebration, Laya Center at 610 Walnut St. will host an $8.16 yoga session in the garden at 6 p.m. followed by a Happy Hour with prizes and music until 8:15 p.m.

The 816Day celebration culminates at John’s Big Deck, 928 Wyandotte St., where Flexy Body Babes fitness instructors will conduct a pop-up boot camp at the bar from 4 – 4:45 p.m.

Boot camp participants will earn a free signature drink to enjoy when the party begins at 5 p.m.

“Ideally, that should be where everyone ends up at the end of the day,” Campbell said.

John’s Big Deck party will offer Pendergast Punch specials, DJ Mike Scott music, photo booth pictures, and chances to win 816Day T-shirts, 816Day buttons and concert tickets.

“We are excited about it,” Campbell said. “We have a little bit of something for everyone.”

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