KC weekend packed with festivals: Old Settlers, Spinach, Greek, more. And Janelle Monáe
Johnson County Old Settlers in downtown Olathe will highlight a busy weekend of fairs and festivals in the area.
Old Settlers includes a carnival, arts and crafts, ice cream social and live music as well as a parade (10 a.m. Sept. 9) billed as the largest in Kansas. Musical headliners will be Rock Gods at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and Lonestar at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
Hours will be noon-10 p.m. Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9. The event is free (except for the carnival). More information at johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com.
More festivals
▪ Kansas City Underground Film Festival, opens 7 p.m. Sept. 7; runs through Sept. 16, Charlotte Street Foundation (free; reservations requested). kcundergroundfilmfest.com.
▪ Kansas State Fair, opens 11 a.m. Sept. 8; runs through Sept. 17, Hutchinson ($4-$10). kansasstatefair.com.
▪ Art Westport, 3-9 p.m. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10, Westport District (free). westportkcmo.com.
▪ Briarfest, 3:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 8, noon-10:30 p.m. Sept. 9, Macken Park, North Kansas City (free; VIP $70, sampling $45). bbpakc.com.
▪ Grain Valley Fair, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9, downtown Grain Valley and Grain Valley Community Center (free except for carnival). grainvalleyfair.org.
▪ Belton Fall Festival, 5-10 p.m. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9, Main Street, Belton (free). belton.org.
▪ Greek Festival, 6-10 p.m. Sept. 8, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 9, noon-4 p.m. Sept. 10, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (food prices vary). greekfoodfest.org.
▪ Jesse James Festival, 6 p.m. Sept. 8, 8 a.m. Sept. 9 and 15-17, Kearney (free except for carnival, demolition derby and rodeo). jessejamesfestival.com.
▪ Spinach Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 9, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (free). lenexa.com.
▪ Festival of the Trails, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9, downtown Raytown and Rice-Tremonti Home (free). raytown.mo.us.
▪ Kansas City Cigar Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 9, Diebel’s roof ($55-$280). kccigarfestival.com.
▪ Independence Uncorked, noon-6 p.m. Sept. 9, Bingham-Waggoner Estate ($35-$45). independenceuncorked.com.
▪ Prairie Village Jazz Festival, 3-10 p.m. Sept. 9, Harmon Park ($5, under 18 free). pvkansas.com.
▪ Fiesta on the Square, 5-9 p.m. Sept. 9, Linden Square, Gladstone. lindensquare.info.
▪ Celebrate Ameri’kana Music & Arts Festival, 1-8 p.m. Sept. 10, The Concourse Park (free; VIP $50). amerikana.tv.
More entertainment
▪ The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures’ latest commission, the Miniature Art Museum by Los Angeles artist Chris Toledo, will open Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily except Tuesdays ($5-$10). toyandminiaturemuseum.org.
▪ City in Motion Dance Theater and other area dance groups will take part in Dance in the Park at Roanoke Park, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 (free). cityinmotion.org.
▪ The Kansas City Theater Pipe Organ will present the silent movie “Peter Pan” with live accompaniment at the Music Hall, 2 p.m. Sept. 10 (free). kctpo.org.
▪ A preview screening and a panel discussion of Ken Burns’ “The American Buffalo,” which will run Oct. 16-17 on PBS, will take place at the Folly, 6 p.m. Sept. 11 (free). follytheater.org.
Theater
▪ “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” Fishtank Theatre, opens 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7; runs through Oct. 1, Black Box ($22.50-$65). fishtanktheatre.com.
▪ “Tick, Tick … Boom,” Barn Players, opens 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8; runs through Sept. 17, Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center ($18-$22). thebarnplayers.org.
▪ “Always a Bridesmaid” starring Morgan Fairchild, opens 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13; runs through Nov. 19, New Theatre and Restaurant ($48.25-$71.25). newtheatre.com.
▪ “Skeleton Crew,” Kansas City Actors Theatre, opens 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13; runs through Oct. 1, City Stage ($20-$48). kcactors.org.
Music
▪ Eslabón Armado, 8 p.m. Sept. 8, Midland ($59-$149). midlandkc.com.
▪ Opus 76 Quartet, “Music of Regency,” 2 and 5 p.m. Sept. 9, Polsky Theatre ($12-$35). jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events.
▪ Muddy River Music Festival, 4-11 p.m. Sept. 9, Atchison ($15-$25). visitatchison.com.
▪ Pianist Mahani Teave, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, Folly (free). hjseries.org.
▪ Janelle Monáe, 8 p.m. Sept. 9, Midland ($41.50-$91.50). midlandkc.com.
▪ Gregory Porter, 7 p.m. Sept. 10, Kauffman Center ($47-$97). kauffmancenter.org.
▪ Caamp, 8 p.m. Sept. 12, Midland ($32.50-$85). midlandkc.com.
▪ Joy Oladokun, 8 p.m. Sept. 12, The Truman ($20-$40). thetrumankc.com.
▪ Jai Wolf with Evan Giia and Myrne, 8 p.m. Sept. 13, The Truman ($20-$60). thetrumankc.com.
This story was originally published September 6, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
