KC events May 25-31: WWI Museum events, water parks open, Celebration at the Station

Special exhibits and events all weekend make the National WWI Museum the best place in town to celebrate the holiday. There will be a “Huey” helicopter on display all four days, with vintage military vehicles available for viewing Saturday. Other highlights will be a concert by the 35th Infantry Division Band (2 p.m. Saturday) and a Memorial Day ceremony with a keynote address by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil (10 a.m. Monday). 816-888-8100. theworldwar.org. Exhibits and events outside museum free; half-price admission to museum all weekend ($5-$8); free for veterans and active duty military personnel.

Nothing says summer has arrived quite as convincingly as the opening of the area’s pools and water parks. The two big ones will offer their usual array of water slides, chutes, beaches and other attractions starting Friday. Both open through Sept. 4.

816-454-4545. worldsoffun.com. $39.99 and up (includes Worlds of Fun).

913-312-3110. schlitterbahn.com/kansas-city. $29.99-$39.99.

With performances on multiple stages (outside as well as in the Gem Theater and the Blue Room), the first Kansas City Jazz & Heritage Festival will have plenty of music. But it will also feature vendors, children’s activities, panels and a jazz brunch. Headliners are scheduled to include Brandy, Lalah Hathaway, the Chick Corea Trio, the Hot Sardines, John Scofield, Oleta Adams, Logan Richardson and Bobby Watson. 816-474-8463. kcjazzfest.com. $15-$125, single-day ticket; $150-$350, four-day pass.

The co-founder of Pink Floyd chose Kansas City as the place to open his Roger Waters Us + Them tour, which will take him throughout North America before ending Oct. 28 in Vancouver, B.C. The British musician said in announcing the tour: “It will be a cool show, I promise you. It’ll be spectacular like all my shows have been.” Waters said the concert will be 75 percent old material and 25 percent new. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. $55- $199.50.

This exhibit will allow children to climb inside Thomas the Tank Engine’s cab, pull levers for train noises, race trains along a giant track and explore the Island of Sodor. They also can help Thomas and his friends solve a variety of challenges, including completing a train track using pieces with different levels of elevation. The exhibit is designed for children ages 2 through 7. Runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 10. crowncenter.com. Free.

FCKC sputtered a bit after winning its National Women’s Soccer League season opener, losing two road matches and tying two home matches, but now it is 2-2-2 after winning at Washington on May 20. This will be a rematch of that game against the Spirit, which was in last place in the 10-team league entering this week. FCKC had scored a league-low-tying four goals in its first six matches but also had surrendered a league-low three goals. 913-335-6146. fckansascity.com. $15-$35.

Once named “Funniest Serviceman in America,” Gary Owen also has been called black America’s “Favorite White Comedian” by Ebony magazine. He stars in the BET docuseries “The Gary Owen Show,” which chronicles his interracial family life in small-town Ohio. Showtime has carried two of his comedy specials, “I Agree With Myself” and “True Story,” and he has appeared in movies such as “Meet the Blacks” and “Ride Along.” 816-283-9921. midlandkc.com. $25-$55.

Tens of thousands of people assemble annually for this event, which culminates with the Kansas City Symphony’s patriotic concert and concludes with a majestic fireworks display. Singer Patti Austin will be the host and musical guest. Arrive early and enjoy preconcert musical acts, food trucks, the Lee Jeans Family Zone, services for veterans and activities inside Union Station and the National World War I Museum. kcsymphony.org. Free.

Thanks largely to the resurgence of first baseman Eric Hosmer, the Royals pulled out of their early-season doldrums before heading out on a 10-game road trip last week. This series with the Tigers will be their first games of the season against their American League Central rivals and will begin a 10-game homestand. 800-676-9257. kansascity.royals.mlb.com. $10-$139.

What began as a coming-of-age memoir of a young woman told in comics format was turned into a Broadway musical that won five 2015 Tony Awards, including best musical. Taken from Alison Bechdel’s best-selling book published in 2006, the play follows Bechdel at three different ages as she grows up amid a dysfunctional family. Part of the Kansas City Broadway Series. Runs through June 4. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-421-7500. theaterleague.com/kansascity. $46.50-$99.

ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” turned siblings Julianne and Derek Hough into bigger stars than most of the celebrities they’re teamed with on the show. Now fans can see their favorite dancers perform without being slowed by amateur partners. The Move — Beyond — Live on Tour will feature a show inspired by the elements — earth, wind, fire and water. kcconvention.com/event/julianne-derek-hough-move-beyond-live-tour. $45-$300.

If you’ve seen the original Australian movie, you know the title character is a bus that three friends take cross-country to a casino where they are scheduled to perform their drag show. And you know not everything goes smoothly. The musical, which ran on Broadway in 2011-12, features familiar pop songs for its score. Runs through June 25. 816-531-7529. unicorntheatre.org. $35-$45.