Experience a Summer to Remember at Kansas City's Festivals

Every summer brings the usual pleasures, fresh produce, longer days and lots of fun outdoor activities. The summer festival season in Kansas City, MO brings together these elements and more to provide great music, great food and loads of local entertainment with an international flavor.

Discover Greek cuisine, music and entertainment at the 46^th Annual Greek Festival. The event also features a market place full of imported Greek gifts and jewelry. Festival goers can also pick up a copy of the cookbook, Food Fit for the Gods and try a few recipes at home.

Later in the summer, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival is held at Swope Park. This free admission event features over 40 food booths for visitors to sample international cuisine and entertainment from a wide variety of ethnic traditions.

Jazz was born in Missouri, and Kansas City has the summer music festivals to prove it. Jazz in the Woods and the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival are two of the largest of their kind in the area. Jazz in the Woods is a free charitable event while the Rhythm and Ribs Jazz Festival brings some of the biggest jazz, gospel, R&B and blues acts to the city. The Rhythm & Ribs Festival also features a barbecue cook-off.

Music is also a major component of KC Riverfest and the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival. KC Riverfest is Kansas City's Fourth of July celebration. During the citywide Independence Day celebration, people head down to the Missouri River to enjoy live music, family activities and a fireworks show. The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a live entertainment, camping and outdoor activity bonanza. Three stages will feature more than 50 acts from an eclectic selection of musical genres.

For festival seekers who enjoy the visual and performing arts, KC Fringe Festival offers a broad and rich sampling of the best the city offers. Live theatre, dance, visual art, spoken word, storytelling, film and fashion all meet at the KC Fringe Festival.

Kansas City is home to a variety of fun, educational and entertaining festivals. Keep in mind that some of these events offer free admission. If you're in town during these events, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity and attend.

Festivals Dates Website

Wakarusa Music & Camping June 7^th-10^th www.wakarusa.com

Festival

46^th Annual Greek Festival June 8^th-10^th www.stdionysios.org

Jazz in the Woods June 22^nd 23^rd www.jazzinthewoods.com

Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival June 15^th-16^th www.kcrhythmandribs.com

KC Riverfest June 29^th-30^th www.kcriverfest.com

KC Fringe Festival July 26^th-29^th www.kcfringe.org

Ethnic Enrichment Festival August 17^th-19^th www.eeckc.org