Fall Fun

September 19, 2012

Clear your schedules of all those "need-to-dos," because we’re going to fill them right back up with much better choices. Trust us, leaf-raking can wait. Do you ever notice the never ending stream of diverting family fun offered in fall? Well, it’s almost too much to sort through on your own. That’s where we come in! We did it for you. This fall will not disappoint. There are sporting events, bbq cook-offs, Halloween-themed excursions, and festivals galore. Here’s a list of our favorites!

Sports
Whether you can’t wait to cheer for the Chiefs or your local high school team, fall certainly brings football to mind. The Chiefs have three home games coming up soon, and tickets are still available for Sunday, September 30th (San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs), Sunday, October 7th (Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs), and Sunday, October 28th (Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs). Get your ticket information at www.kcchiefs.com.

American football is not the only game in town. We also have our amazing soccer team Sporting KC playing a home game on Friday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m. at Livestrong Sporting Park. Visit http://www.sportingkc.com for more information.

Last, but certainly not least, the 3rd Annual Softball Classic will be held on this Sunday, September 23rd at 3:00 p.m. at the Claycomo Park ball field. The teams playing this year are from Ma & Pa’s Kettle and Cooper Automotive under the title of "Meals-vs-Wheels." This is a great tradition, playing up local business rivalries and bringing a healthy infusion of competition to our little village. Bring the family and cheer for both sides!

Art
The 80th annual Plaza Art Fair is this weekend as well, running from September 21st - 23rd. What started in 1932 has only gotten bigger and better every year. Browse over 9 blocks of art, crafts, and jewelry that will feature artists from KC and beyond. Visit www.countryclubplaza.com/Events/Plaza-Art-Fair for more information.

The Unplaza Art Fair will be running from September 26th - 27th, and it will be located just a few blocks east of the better known Plaza Art Fair. The offerings may be a little edgier, and you will still have 85 different artists to appreciate. Get the details at www.peaceworkskc.org/unplaza.html.

If our art scene wasn’t warming up fast enough for you get ready for the real flames, Waterfire takes place on October 24th with 85 bonfires floating down Brush Creek through the Country Club Plaza. Add music, dancers and street performers, food, the backdrop of the Plaza’s Spanish architecture, and the evening becomes a magic experience. Catch a sneak peak at www.waterfirekc.com/.

Festivals
The Weston Irish Festival will be conducting its 12th anniversary this year. The event brings over 7,000 festival goers annually to Weston for music, food and vendors, and offers entertainment from October 12th through October 14th. Visit www.westonirish.com/IRISHFEST.html for more information.

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs is always a ye old good time. The festival runs from September 1st through October 14th this year. In addition to the turkey legs, wench-siting’s, and knights on horseback, this year festival goer’s will meet a mermaid. For more information, go to www.kcrenfest.com.

The 20th annual Waldo Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, September 22, 2012 in the CVS parking lot at 75th and Wornall Rd. It all begins with a pancake breakfast and ends with the sounds of "June Bug and the Porch Lights." They will have a dog show, Kansas City Police Exhibit, and our favorite Mr. Stinky Feet, Jim Cosgrove. More details are available at www.waldokc.org/waba/waldo-fall-festival.

Just after that, we roll right into the Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest, which will be held September 28th-29th. It's the 23rd anniversary this year. Expect two days of kid's activities, carnival, live entertainment, German music, crafts, and authentic German food. The full schedule is available at www.lsoktoberfest.com.

The 36th annual Liberty Fall Festival is up and going the same weekend from September 28th to the 30th. The festival features 175 arts and craft booths, a carnival, and lots of guilty-pleasure food choices to benefit local non-profit groups. You can get the details at www.libertyfallfest.com.

As October starts, so does Gladfest 33. This year it takes place from October 05th to the 07th. The parade will be on Saturday morning. The carnival is back, and they will feature Marketplace Tents just west of City Hall with valuable contacts from local businesses and civic organizations. History enthusiasts will want to visit the Civil War Encampment located along 70th Street all weekend. Go to www.gladstonechamber.com/gladfest.aspx for the particulars.

The Original Sewing and Quilt Expo will run from Thursday, October 11th to Saturday, October 13th. This annual treat is about recharging your creativity and connecting with other quiltmakers and vendors. There are classes, contests, shopping, and more. Visit www.sewingexpo.com for the full schedule.

The Harvest Moon American Indian Festival will be held at Union Station from October 27th- 28th. This is an arts and entertainment festival in our urban core focused on cultural awareness and history. Go to www.harvestmoonamericanindianfestival.wordpress.com/ for the details.

Halloween Treats and Frights
For decades now, Kansas-Citians have been seeking out the best spook money can buy, and our famous Haunted Houses are just what the mad doctor ordered. But that’s not all. Here’s the list of our Halloween stops from the spookiest to the family-friendly:

The Beast haunted house is located at 1401 West 13th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64102. Call 816.842.4280, or visit www.kcbeast.com/ for more information.

The Edge of Hell haunted house is located at 1300 West 12th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64101. Call 816.842.4279, or visit www.edgeofhell.com for more information.

Catacombs haunted house is located at 1100 Santa Fe St, Kansas City, MO 64101. Call 816.474.3845 for more information.

Fear haunted house is located at 1100 Santa Fe St, Kansas City, MO 64101. Call 816.474.3845 for more information.

Night Stalkers Scream Park haunted house is located at 14500 Old Quarry Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024. Call 816.799.6624 for more information.

Macabre Cinema haunted house is located at 1222 West 12th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64101. Call 816.842.4280, or visit www.macabrecinema.com/ for more information.

The Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe haunted house is located at 1100 Santa Fe, Kansas City, Missouri 64101. Call 816.842.4280 or visit www.chambersofpoe.com/ for more information.

Halloweekends at Worlds of Fun are on until Halloween. The ghosts and ghouls are running amuck at the amusement park every weekend until then. Call 816.454.4545 for ticket information, or visit www.worldsoffun.com.

The Jack-o-Lantern Walk at Powell Gardens will be on October 21st from Dusk - 9:00 p.m. It’s a self-guided walk through the gardens by the eerie light of uniquely carved Jack-O-Lanterns. You can go to www.powellgardens.org for admission information.

Boo at the Zoo is a trick or treat and spooky animal event at the Kansas City Zoo from Saturday, October 24th - 25th. Go to www.kansascityzoo.org/ for all the information.

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch in Liberty is open, and a day there can include a corn maze, a train ride, and your favorite pumpkin to take home. Visit www.carolynscountrycousins.com/ for directions, hours of operation, or any other information. 

You can also take a hayride at the Sibley Orchards and Cider Mill after you spend the afternoon picking out pumpkins and apples there. Details are online at www.sibleyorchards.com/.

That’s a heck of a to-do list. Maybe, we left off one or two. Don’t be shy. Add your favorite if we left it off the list. Enjoy the season!

Andie P.
Claycomo Branch