Here’s what’s new for Celebration at the Station this year, and the lowdown on parking
One of Kansas City’s historic traditions returns for another year — this time, with a rock band.
Celebration at the Station takes place on May 28 on the south plaza of Union Station and the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The celebration is always scheduled for the day before Memorial Day.
The largest Memorial Day concert in the Midwest begins at 5 p.m. with food trucks, vendors and entertainment from local music groups Drive On and the Back Alley Brass Band.
The Kansas City Symphony takes the stage at 8 p.m. with special guests The Resilient, a rock band made up of wounded U.S. veterans, who will play hits from Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen and more.
A large fireworks display over Union Station will follow.
While you’re at the celebration, these local food vendors will be providing treats for the anticipated 50,000 attendees:
2Hot2Handle BBQ KC
Irvzilla’s Hawaiian grill
Jerusalem Café
Jus Chill’n & Grill’n
K&C Concessions
KC Fooditude
Kona Ice
KC Whip and Company
KC Poppers
La Hamburguesa Loca
Ragusa’s Italian Crêpe Café
Street Wings
Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade
Scimeca’s Italian Sausage
Sweet Peaches Cobblers
Taste of Brazil food truck
Tasty Unicorn
The Food Spot
The Hungry Hatch
Twisted Taters
Weenies & Paninis
If you can’t attend the concert in person, it will be broadcasted live on Kansas City PBS channels.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PARKING
Parking for the celebration is available in multiple lots and garages near the event grounds, including Union Station’s West Yards Garage and the Hallmark complex, south of Crown Center.
Union Station’s West Yards Garage only accepts credit cards and some lot operators only accept cash, so celebration organizers advise you to bring both a credit card and cash. Organizers said most parking costs $20.
Parking on the grass on private and public land is prohibited. This includes parking on the grass at Penn Valley Park.
Attendees can park anywhere along Kansas City’s streetcar route and ride the streetcar to Union Station. The streetcar will also run later than usual to take concertgoers back to their parked cars.
The designated drop-off, pick-up and ride-share lane is along the south curb of eastbound Pershing Road just before Kessler Road, which can be accessed from Broadway Boulevard. Set your destination for 215 W. Pershing Road.
