These Memorial Day weekend events will kick off Kansas City's long summer
It might seem as if Memorial Day weekend will arrive sooner than normal this year. That’s because May 25 is the earliest possible date for Memorial Day, and it doesn’t happen as regularly as you might think.
The annual holiday originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War to honor the Union’s dead and was celebrated May 30. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act dictated that Memorial Day has, since 1971, fallen on the last Monday in May. So, if the last day of the month — May 31 — falls on a Sunday, as it does this year, Memorial Day is celebrated May 25.
That last occurred in 2020, but it won’t happen again until 2037. You can blame the hiatus on all those pesky leap years.
Throw in the fact that Labor Day (the first Monday in September) will be the latest possible date this year — Sept. 7 — and it adds up to the longest possible summer, culturally speaking if not astronomically speaking.
In any case, you might want to plan your Memorial Day activities a bit earlier than usual.
If you’re like thousands of other Kansas City-area residents, the first order of business heading into Memorial Day weekend will be noting the Celebration at the Station for Sunday, May 24, on your calendar. The annual outdoor event at Union Station features a Kansas City Symphony concert with heavy emphasis on patriotic music, plus fireworks.
Just up the hill from Union Station, the National WWI Museum and Memorial will offer weekend-long activities that coincide with the Liberty Memorial’s 100th anniversary. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the 217-foot tower on Nov. 11, 1926.
Visitors to both events should plan ahead because parking availability will be more limited than usual as crews set up for the World Cup Fan Festival on the museum grounds.
Here’s what you need to know about those two events and a few others happening around town on Memorial Day weekend.
Celebration at the Station
When: 5-10 p.m. Sunday, May 24
Where: South Plaza of Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, and North Lawn of National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive
Highlights: Kansas City Symphony concert, 8 p.m.; fireworks, 9 p.m.
Noteworthy: Pre-concert performances by the Air Force Academy Band’s Stellar Brass Quintet and the Air Force Heartland of America band Raptor beginning at 5 p.m.; food trucks will be on site.
Parking: Union Station’s West Yards Garage is $10 before 3 p.m. and $25 after 3 p.m. (credit or debit card only). Also available will be surface lots and garages around the venue. Attendees also can park along the streetcar route and ride free to Union Station. The streetcar will operate until 11 p.m. Sunday.
Information: kcsymphony.org/celebration
Centennial Memorial Day Weekend
When: Friday-Monday, May 22-25
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive
Highlights: Formal public program featuring keynote address by Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 10 a.m. Monday, May 25; also, Hats Off to U.S., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Monday, May 22-25; Walk of Honor Dedication, 2 p.m. Monday, May 25.
Noteworthy: Free admission for veterans and active-duty military (including spouses and dependents); half-price admission for public (regular admission $11.50-$19.50).
Parking: Availability will be limited on the grounds. Your best bet probably will be to park along the streetcar line and take it to the WWI Museum and Memorial stop.
Information: theworldwar.org/memorialday
Royals Free Weekend
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 23-Monday, May 25
Where: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, 500 W. U.S. 24, Independence
What: Free admission, courtesy of the Kansas City Royals Foundation; Howitzer firing demonstration at 2 p.m. Monday, May 25.
Information: trumanlibrary.gov
Memorial Day Service
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23
Where: Union Cemetery, 227 E. 28th Terrace
What: Remembrance will honor service members buried at the cemetery.
Information: kcparks.org
Memorial Day Parade/Walk
When: 9 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: 11th and Main streets, downtown Blue Springs
What: The walk is about one mile to the Blue Springs Cemetery, where a memorial service will be held.
Information: facebook.com
Other free weekend events
MO River Murals
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 24.
Where: Port KC, Berkley Riverfront Park, 950 Riverfront Dr.
What: Street artists will paint murals on more than a mile of the levee wall along the riverfront; also, food trucks, music and more.
Information: morivermurals.org
Lawrence Busker Festival
When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, May 22; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 23; noon-7 p.m. Sunday, May 24
Where: Downtown Lawrence
What: In addition to a wide array of street performers, there will be vendors offering arts and crafts as well as food.
Information: lawrencebuskerfest.com
The Pigeon Comes to Kansas City: A Mo Willems Exhibit
When: Saturday, May 23, and through Sept. 7; open regular shopping hours, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. holidays
Where: Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd.
What: Exhibit will feature the characters of children’s author and animator Mo Willems and will give children the chance to make their own art.
Information: crowncenter.com/events
Free outdoor concerts
Overland Park Orchestra: 7 p.m. Friday, May 22. Thompson Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park. oporchestra.org
Green Shoebox Band: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Grand Pavilion, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway and Greenway Lane, Lenexa. lenexa.com
Loose Change: 6 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Rotary Park, 600 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs. bluespringsgov.com
