Festivals, food and pets: Kansas Citians uplift the community
The curated articles share a common theme of community engagement in Kansas City through diverse cultural activities and events. Residents actively participate in uplifting their community by engaging in music festivals, art events, and supporting welfare initiatives.
In Johnson County, residents gather for various activities such as the Spinach Festival and reading events with therapy dogs, demonstrating community involvement in arts and education. The Kansas City Zoo's annual GloWild lantern festival garners widespread participation with its vibrant display and family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, DJ E curates emerging local talent at the KC Reggae Fest, showcasing cultural and musical diversity to bridge communities. In child welfare, the exit of a local child welfare director reflects ongoing efforts to address systemic challenges while advocating for community improvement.
NO. 1: POPULAR LANTERN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE KANSAS CITY ZOO FOR FOURTH YEAR
The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium’s popular GloWild lantern festival will return for its fourth year this week with a new theme. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly
NO. 2: SPINACH, BUTTERFLIES, JAZZ AND CRAFTS: EXPLORE UPCOMING THINGS TO DO IN JOCO
If monarchs, spinach and jazz is in the air, you know it’s fall in Johnson County. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debra Skodack
NO. 3: ADOPT HER ROYAL SWEETNESS AND A GOOFY PUP AT THIS KC AREA SHELTER
Each week, Wayside Waifs spotlights a couple of pets available for adoption at its South Kansas City shelter. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Trish Stinger
NO. 4: POPULAR HIP-HOP DJ DRAWS NEW LOCAL ARTISTS TO KC REGGAE FEST THIS WEEKEND
Since 2012, Edward Bohannon, known behind the turntables as DJ E, has used his platform to uplift local artists and highlight underrepresented voices. | Published September 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks
NO. 5: MISSOURI CONFIRMS KC CHILD WELFARE CHIEF NO LONGER WITH DEPARTMENT
Brian West, the Kansas City regional director for Missouri’s child welfare agency, who weathered a high turnover rate and several child abuse deaths in recent years, is no longer with the department. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Laura Bauer
NO. 6: HOW A KANSAS CITY NATIVE WENT FROM AUDIENCE TO ‘HERO’ OF MORGAN FREEMAN’S BLUES SHOW
If you’ve ever had one of those dreams where you’re suddenly pulled from the crowd at a concert or a sporting event and become the star of the moment, you might relate to Ryan Marquez’s dreamlike experience earlier this week. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.