Festival season starts in KC

Big festivals like Oktoberfest and Rhythm and Ribs have fallen victims to The Great Recession, but River City is also Festival City, and other big fests continue. And in true KC fashion, most of the events scheduled themselves for the same first weekend of June. Culture in this city is alwasy feast or famine!

Rockfest – May 30
Penn Valley park is transformed into a giant Camero parking lot for the likes of Korn, Buckcherry, and locals Federation of Horsepower playing at the Liberty Memorial. www.rockfestkc.com

Gay Pride Festival – June 5-7
As soon as Penn Valley Park says good-bye to the mullets it says hello to the feather boas for one of the largest gay pride festivals in the Midwest. www.gaypridekansascity.com

West 18th Street Street Fashion Show – June 6
Showcasing a surprisingly vibrant local fashion scene, in the heart of the Crossroadds Arts’ District. westeighteenthstreet.com

Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest – June 5-6
This north suburban event continues to grow and fill the void left by big Downtown blues and jazz festivals. gladstonechamber.com

Fiesta Italiana – June 5-7
Last year this celebration of Italian heritage follow the Italian migration to the Northland and returns to Zona Rosa again this year. www.unico-kc.org

KCK Downtown Street Festival – June 12
Minnesota Avenue is closed for this new family-oriented festival with food, music, etc. kansascitykansan.com/tags/kck-street-festival

Taste of the Crossroads – June 14
The Crossroads Arts District has a lot more than free wine on First Fridays.  This event showcases many of the great restaraurants in the neighborhood. www.tasteofthecrossroads.org

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival – June 16 – July 5
This year’s program is The Merry Wives of Windsor.  As always, performed under the stars in the lovely Southmoreland Park. kcshakes.org

KCK Street Blues Festival – June 26-27
The Dotte keeps it real with blues in the street. www.kckstreetbluesfest.com

RiverFest – July 3-4
Celebrate Independence Day on the riverfront with food, music, family fun, carnival rides, and fireworks. www.kcriverfest.com

Missouri Wine and Food Festival – July 4
The Show-Me State is one of the country’s biggest wine producers, and many wineries will be on hand for you to taste on the lawn of the historic Elms Resort & Spa in Excelsior Springs.  www.eswinefestivals.com

Fringe Festival – July 19-26
Live theater, dance, performance art, visual art, spoken word, puppetry, storytelling, film and fashion. www.kcfringe.org

Ethnic Enrichment Festival – August 21-23
Swope Park becomes a mini United Nations with food, music, and dance from 66 countries and ethnic groups. www.eeckc.org

SantaCaliGon Days – September 3-7
Celebrate our regon’s pioneer heritage on the historic Independence Square.  www.santacaligon.com

Irish Festival – September 4-6
Once again at Crown Center. www.kcirishfest.com