As the unbearably hot days of summer (hopefully) wind down, the leaves will change color, the days will begin getting dark sooner and the more comfortable weather will cause for celebration. Festivals and events are aplenty in Eastern Jackson County, and The Examiner has compiled a Top 10 list – in order of the event date – for your fall fun planning purposes.
10 Halloween parade, Oct. 30, Independence.
It’s a spooky-good time that’s been a tradition for more than six decades. Attracting more than 100 entries each year, the Independence Chamber of Commerce-presented 62nd annual Halloween parade will take place at 3 p.m., with the Square merchants opening their doors for trick-or-treating from 1 to 3 p.m. Contact the Chamber at 816-252-4745 for more information.
9 Dogtober Fest, Oct. 17, Jackson County.
Grab Fido, bring a couple of items for the dog food donation, and drive out to the Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Fleming Park for a doggone good time at this annual event that benefits the education center and the Lee’s Summit and Independence animal shelters. Contests, games and demonstrations will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and, best of all, admission is free. Visit www.jacksongov.org/dogtober or call 816-229-8980 for more information as the event gets closer.
8 Marching band festivals, Oct. 2 and 9.
What is a fun fall without lots of marching band music? In back-to-back weekends, the Blue Springs School District sponsors two all-day marching band festivals and competitions that attract multiple Eastern Jackson County school districts. The Blue Springs High School marching band festival will take place Oct. 2, 2000 N.W. Ashton Drive. The Blue Springs South High School marching band contest will take place Oct. 9, 1200 S.E. Adams Dairy Parkway. They are open to the public, and an admission fee typically applies. Check out The Examiner as the festival dates draw closer for more information.
7 American Royal Barbecue, Oct. 2-3, Kansas City.
This event might be one of the two on this list that don’t actually take place within Eastern Jackson County, but the 31st annual American Royal Barbecue will surely attract EJC attendees – and competitors. In 2009, Blue Springs resident Todd Johns won the overall Grand Champion at the American Royal Invitational, calling it “the World Series of barbecue.” Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the barbecue attracts about 500 teams with bragging rights as the largest barbecue contest in the world. Visit www.arbbq.com for more information.
6 Pig Pickin’, Chicken Lickin’ Feast, Sept. 18, Independence.
We dare you to say the name of this event five times fast with your mouth full at this 29th annual dinner event, one of the major fundraisers for the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. At $14 each, advance tickets are required and may be purchased through a Bingham-Waggoner board member or by calling 816-461-3491. From 4 to 7 p.m. at 313 W. Pacific Ave., three sets of live music will take place, along with an art display and sale, a quilt display, a silent auction and much more. Visit www.bwestate.org for more information, including a menu description.
5 Fall Fun Festival, Sept. 17-19, Blue Springs.
Turkey legs, Timmy Burgers, Dock Dogs, crafts and the largest parade in Eastern Jackson County – what more could you ask for? The 41st annual, three-day Fall Fun Festival will feature more than 280 food, craft and service vendors, as well as a carnival, a petting zoo and the American Heroes-themed parade. Visit www.bluespringsfallfunfestival.com for a schedule of events, festival map and more on this Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce-presented event.
4 Blue Springs Barbeque Blaze-Off, Sept. 10-11, Blue Springs.
No need to worry if you don’t feel like driving to Kansas City for a barbecue competition. Eastern Jackson County has its own with the 27th annual Blue Springs event at Hidden Valley Sports Complex, 6500 N.W. Valley View Road. Also a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event, music and entertainment will take place, along with sausage and dessert categories. Visit www.bluespringsblazeoff.com for more details.
3 Grain Valley Fair Daze, Sept. 9-11, Grain Valley.
Family-friendly activities and games galore will take place at the weekend event dating back to 1986 in Grain Valley. Among the features will be the Jones carnival, the free kids’ street, a beer garden, the Kansas City Disc Dogs, a horseshoe tournament, live music, food, crafts and pavilion events. A Disco Party-themed parade will take place Saturday, Sept. 11. Visit the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.grainvalleychamber.org or call 816-347-2627 for more information.
2 Kansas City Renaissance Festival, weekends and Labor Day and Columbus Day, Sept. 4 through Oct. 17, Bonner Springs, Kan.
Like the American Royal Barbecue, this event falls outside of the EJC jurisdiction, but two of the annual festival’s most prominent participants call Independence home – Queen Isabella, also known as Portia Bowers, and King Edward, also known as Brandon Armstrong. A significant amount of performers live and work in EJC, and the festival actors use Cornerstone Community of Christ church as a rehearsal location. Numerous ticket packages are available. Visit www.kcrenfest.com or call 913-721-2110 for more information.
1 Santa-Cali-Gon Days, Sept. 2-6, Independence.
It is hard to believe it’s almost that time of the year again, but in less than two weeks, thousands of people will grace the Square for the 38th annual Santa-Cali-Gon Days festival. Starting with the carnival-only evening Sept. 2, the Labor Day weekend-long event features dozens of vendors, hours of live music and entertainment, root beer chugging and ice cream eating contests, and of course, crazy, one-of-a-kind food. Visit www.santacaligon.com for more on this Independence Chamber of Commerce-presented event.
