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Kansas City Parks & Recreation and the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City will host the annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival. beginning Friday in Swope Park. Featuring traditional foods, music, and performances from more than 40 countries - including newcomers Palestine and Sudan - the Ethnic Enrichment Festival is all about bringing the community together through the joy and celebration of cultural exploration. The festival begins Friday August 15th from 6:00pm - 10:00pm at Swope Park Pavilion, 4177 Pavilion Rd. (enter park on Meyer Boulevard & Swope Parkway). Hours on Saturday are 12:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Admission is $5 and FREE for children 12 and under. Parking is FREE. No pets allowed. Service Animals allowed with paperwork. NEW THIS YEAR: Tickets are available to purchase ahead of the event: get tickets now.  The Ethnic Enrichment Commission (EECKC) aspires to foster understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, to preserve heritage, to encourage Ethnic identity, and to coordinate and facilitate Ethnic programs. Photo credit: Kansas City Parks & Recreation  by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News After taking one step though the entrance of The Rabbit hOle, I knew my wife Stacy and four young guests were about to experience a magical journey featuring nostalgia, the books we read when were youngsters, and the type of wide-eyed wonderment that helped make our childhoods to special. If you are looking for a destination where adults and children can visit, look no further than The Rabbit hOle, 919 East 14th Street, North Kansas City, 816- 492-7915. There you will find a world of tapestry of adventure. And it all starts with a trip down R. Fox Rabbit's rabbit hole. The Rabbit hOle is the only experimental museum in the country built around children's literature. With more than 40 showcase replications of children's classics, it brings those special childhood memories back to life. When my sons, Zach and Sean, were youngsters - they are now 40 and 37, respectively - they had the opportunity read childhood masterpieces like, "Strega Nona," "The Stinky Cheese Man," "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Curious George," "No, David," and the list goes on and on... Believe it or not, all but two of the artists who create the magical kingdom of once-in-a-lifetime journeys through the a world of literature, are elves. They're tough to find, but if you do, they will be happy to share their creative journey with moms and dads, sons and daughters and grandparents, too! The Rabbit hOle is the only experimental museum in the country built around children's literature. R. Fox Rabbit, the founder of the Rabbit hOle, invites everyone to read one of the more than 90 books - that are available at each point of interest - then share a journey with the Stinky Cheese Man, Curious George and that famous sidewalk where you can climb to the end and discover your final destination. "We encourage you to stop and read along the way," R. Fox Rabbit explains. "We want you to discover books you have never heard of, and rediscover old favorites." And that's what we did. We arrived at The Rabbit Hole with four youngsters aged 5 through 16, and witnessed the joy and wonderment in their eyes as we shared their amazing journey. "I'm not coming home with you," exclaimed 5-year-old Isaiah. "I'm going to live here. I don't ever want to leave." His 11-year-old sister Annabelle, added, "This is the coolest place I've ever been. I want to come here every day." Sixteen-year-old Maddie looks around this one-of-a-kind fairy tale, and whispered, "This is where your favorite books come to life. It's amazing. I know I'm having as much fun as Isaiah, and he's having the time of his life." And 14-year-old Elijah, adds, "This is an 11 on a 10 scale. No wait, it's a 20 on a 10 scale. Everywhere you look there's something new to see and books to read. How did they create all of this?" A 20-foot python, who is as gentle as a baby bunny, tree houses, sidewalks, gardens and a trolley car were all created in a 22,000-square-foot fabrication area that is manned by human artists during the day and artistic elves at night. They capture the impact books make on the lives of children, and create a world where you can watch a pasta explosion in Strega Nona's kitchen, sit next to the cap man under his "Caps for Sale," tree or share a drink with "The Tigers Who Came to Tea." Youngsters can slide down a pole in "The Fire Cat's" firehouse, take a trolley ride and enjoy a ride to "The Last House on Market Street" and stroll through the colorful "Gladiola Garden." Look up to find "The Three Little Wolves and the Big, Bad Bunny," as they look across the horizon where you can grab Madeline's hand as she strolls the streets of Paris. Max's Kansas City offers meals on-site, and whether you order Blueberries for Sal or a Stinky Cheese Man grilled cheese sandwich, which is a delight to the taste buds. And everyone needs to stop at Lucky Rabbit Books and gift shop. For older kids, The Rabbit hOle is home to the Letterpress Print Shop, where you can create journals, cards, posters and bookmarks, and next to the print shop is the Story Lab, where visitors create their own books in a variety of printing and bookbinding processes. For more information go to rabbitholekc.org. Photo credit: Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News  The National WWI Museum and Memorial is the host of Kansas City’s official fireworks and Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4, 2025. The public is welcome to begin picnicking on the south grounds of the Museum and Memorial as early as 3:00pm. The grounds will host over 20 local food trucks, family-friendly activities, local shopping vendors and live music – including headlining act and Kansas City’s favorite mash-up band, Lost Wax. The evening will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks display over the iconic Liberty Memorial Tower. This year’s fireworks show includes never-before-seen elements and will begin approximately 9:40pm. The Stars and Stripes Picnic is FREE to the public - rain or shine. For a full list of vendors, partners and sponsors, as well as information about parking, entertainment and more, visit theworldwar.org/starsandstripespicnic. The National WWI Museum and Memorial is located at 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO 64118.  The Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival will return on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10:00am to approximately 2:30pm along Brush Creek at the Country Club Plaza. Since its launch in 2005, the festival has grown into a beloved summer tradition, celebrating the city’s cultural diversity and global connections. Organized by The Society for Friendship with China, in partnership with the City of Kansas City, MO Parks & Recreation, the Kansas City Sister City Association, and many community supporters, the festival highlights Chinese and Asian culture, promotes people-to-people friendship, and fosters appreciation for multiculturalism. This free, family-friendly event features three main components:
 The Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival will return on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10:00am to approximately 2:30pm along Brush Creek at the Country Club Plaza. Photo credit: Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival  KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial’s Liberty Memorial Tower has reopened following a five-month cleaning and restoration period. In celebration of the reopening, the Museum and Memorial is offering two after-hours viewing opportunities.
On June 12 and 26, the Tower will be open late from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the base of the Tower on the day of (debit or credit card only). Tower tickets are $6 per person. The Tower soars 217 above the Memorial Courtyard and is flanked on four sides by the Guardian Spirits – Honor, Courage, Patriotism and Sacrifice. Access to the viewing deck is gained following a short elevator ride and a 45-step journey to the top. On June 15, 16 and 17, Taps at the Tower returns. People are invited to come and use the grounds each evening, have a picnic, play games and enjoy the outdoors. At sunset (8:45 p.m.), people will gather at the Liberty Memorial Tower to experience Taps being played during a brief, moving ceremony. The event will occur rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Paul Sunderland Bridge inside the Museum and Memorial. June National WWI Museum and Memorial events
The Mid-Continent Public Library's (MCPL) Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1st for readers of all ages. The 2025 Summer at MCPL program invites artists of all ages and abilities to showcase their creations, encouraging them to explore their imaginations. By participating in the Summer Reading Challenge, kids, teens, and adults can earn rewards and win prizes for daily reading and attending Library programs. Caregivers will value a program that keeps children engaged and learning outside the classroom, while kids will love the stories and activities that spark their creativity all summer long! Summer at MCPL begins June 1 and runs through August 24. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages families to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading or engaging with literacy. Readers will log each day that they read to receive a daily reading badge. When readers aged 0-19 complete 20, 40, and 60 days of reading, they will earn a prize book from their local branch. Readers who are registered in Beanstack will also be eligible to earn prizes from our community partners. Adults aged 20+ can earn prizes, too! All adult readers who log 60 or more days will earn a Summer at MCPL: Blank Canvas commemorative glass. For more information on the Mid-Continent Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge, visit Summer at MCPL | Mid-Continent Public Library.  Summer Fun: Central Missouri Repertory Theatre to Present Touring Production of ‘Space Kids’5/29/2025
Editor's Note: School is out; summer has arrived! Grain Valley News will highlight opportunities for families to get out and keep their minds and bodies active over the summer months. Search the "Summer Fun" category on our news feed for ideas or visit the free community calendar on our website. WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Families across west central Missouri are invited to tag along on a space adventure this summer as the Central Missouri Repertory Theatre (CMR) at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) presents “Space Kids.” The 2025 season marks the 40th anniversary of CMR bringing live children’s theatre productions to west central Missouri. “Space Kids” is about two teenagers who find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime when they accidentally travel to a distant, strange planet. To get home, the pair must navigate this dangerous new world. Along the way, they discover things about who they are and the importance of family. It is an exciting, humorous and endearing new play for young audiences, written and directed by Dr. Aaron Scully, assistant professor of Theatre. “Space Kids” is appropriate for all ages and runs about 40 minutes. “I really wanted to explore two things: identity and family, and how important our family is in shaping who we become as people, which I think is something that we take for granted sometimes,” Scully said of his inspiration for “Space Kids.” “However different we may feel from others, there is a familiarity we have with family that provides a home when other places may feel strange. Beyond that, I love science fiction and adventure and wanted to take our audiences on a journey that is original, thrilling and funny!” “Space Kids” will be on tour in June at several sites in west central Missouri. Public performances include 10 a.m. June 4 at the Farris Theatre in Richmond, 10:30 a.m. June 5 at Legacy Park Amphitheater in Lee’s Summit, 10 a.m. June 9 at the Highlander Theatre at UCM in Warrensburg, and 10 a.m. June 11 at The Lex in Lexington. Admission is free. The company includes Raegan Weber as Lisa, Trae Selemaea as Jimmy and John Plasencio as Dad/Oracle/Maulingobler. The crew includes Director/Production Manager/Playwright Dr. Aaron Scully, Stage Manager Chris Schilligo, Scenic Designer/Technical Director Hannah Vath, Costume/Hair/Makeup Designer Cassie Kay Hoppas, Sound Designer Gabe Sokolowski, Sound Engineer Aleksandra Combs and Public Relations/Social Media Manager Madison Keep.   |
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