House tours and art fairs: Here’s what to do around Kansas City this weekend
The first weekend of May was packed with activities, and the second weekend is no different. Don’t let the threat of more rain scare you away from checking out what’s going on around Kansas City.
Potential homebuyers or people looking for ideas will enjoy going on a tour of open houses around Kansas City for this bi-yearly tour.
Some of these houses also put you just a few minutes away from a botanical garden with a section filled with vibrant flowers or at another outdoor art fair in Johnson County.
Here are four events happening around Kansas City this weekend.
Parade of Homes
One of Kansas City’s long-standing traditions, the Parade of Homes enters the final weekend of its spring showing from May 8-10. It’s one of the largest showcases of new homes in the region, with 332 homes on the list.
Visitors can travel all throughout Kansas City, including Blue Springs, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Olathe and Prairie Village to see many of the homes featured this spring.
Homes on this year’s parade range in price from $300,000 to $3 million and are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s free for all, and you can pick up a guide at the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City’s office, 600 E. 103rd St., or at any of the houses on the list.
Painted Garden at Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens, the botanical garden located in Kingsville 40 miles southeast of Kansas City, hosts Painted Gardens from now through June 21.
This year’s display is called “The Prairie Is Our Home,” and is a celebration of the enduring spirit of the Midwest, according to Powell Gardens.
Visitors will be able to walk through bright-colored flowers and plants inside the gardens while enjoying the open skies. They can also see a new barn quilt art installation, which the gardens say is the highlight of the season.
It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and general admission tickets start at $15 for adults.
Lenexa Art Fair
Art fair season is in full effect, and you can get your fix at Lenexa’s Art Fair Saturday, May 9. The free showcase is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lenexa City Center.
More than 50 artists from the region will have their art on display and for purchase. Guests can enjoy live jazz music throughout the day, children’s art activities, buy food from local trucks and inside the Lenexa Public Market.
Lenexa Farmers Market vendors and a tasting event featuring local wine and craft beer are also available for visitors.
Seussical the Musical
“Seussical the Musical,” the classic stage production that’s been performed millions of times all over the world, has a local production running from May 7-10 at the Bell Cultural Arts Center, 2000 E. Pioneer Blvd in Olathe.
Hosted by First Act Theatre Arts, “Seussical” brings the iconic characters from Dr. Seuss to life, from stories like “Cat in the Hat” and “Horton Hears a Who.”
Tickets are available online for each showing, and prices range from $14-$23 based on your seating location.
“People seem ‘small’ to us when they exist outside of our worldview, and with the world being chaotic as ever, it can be hard to find the energy to care,” said play director Hillary Talken in a statement, “But Seussical pushes us to remember that every person has inherent dignity that cannot be disregarded.”
