Mayor Hosting Rock the Block Celebration Saturday at Washington Square Park

The sixth annual “Sly’s Rock the Block” celebration, a free, family-oriented event, will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Square Park.

The event is held to recognize the end of city summer programs and the beginning of a new school year. It will feature live music, cultural performances and other activities. The first 1,500 attendees will receive tickets for free hot dogs, chips and drinks.

“Saturday’s event is about the community as a whole and bringing people together to celebrate the end of summer with good food and family-friendly activities and entertainment,” Mayor Sly James said in a statement.

The live entertainment starts at 10 a.m. and includes the Jamil Family Band; Little Troy Lee Sanders; Los Bailadores de Kansas City; the Lee’s Summit School of Rock Band, and Boogaloo 7 Band. The mayor will welcome guests at about 2 p.m.

Other activities include Arts Tech; KC Zoo Mobile; Sister Act Face Painting; Imagination Playground; Stone Lion Puppets; College Basketball Experience pop-a-shot, Mattie Rhodes Center crafts, and several inflatables.

Several food trucks also will offer items for sale. Parking is free at the Blue Shield Blue Cross parking lot on the north side of Washington Square Park.