KC River Fest was a great event this year to celebrate the 4th in a family friendly environment…read morewhile at the same time educating about the park and conservation. The good: Food trucks and beer tents Interactive conservation tents for children to learn about the park Plenty of blow-up bounce houses for children 2 concert stages Wonderful firework display Great location right off the water and good advertisment of Berkley Park Only $5 to attend Plenty of parking, had shuttle buses, and walking distance for some. The bad: Need more options for food because lines were an hour wait Some beer tents ran out of cups to serve the beer They need more that 1 ATM if everything is cash only (it broke down half way into the night) Overall I think the good out weights the bad. I had a blast listening to the music while standing in line and watching fireworks. Make sure to bring a blanket or a chair because the firework display was great!

Brought my family here for the knights of lights winter event for the first time. The event ran…read morefrom 530pm-9pm. Upon scanning your ticket, there were two guards at a display playing trumpets(Hark the Herald Angels Sing). The hostess encouraged us to redeem our free gift at a booth across from the entrance and there, they gave one free renaissance festival ticket to each guest. Pleasant surprise! The lights were very nice and definitely gave a joyful medieval Christmas overlay. The lighted paths were fun but sometimes difficult to follow. It was easy to roam off the path and get a little turned around but it was no trouble at all, just a bit rocky terrain so good walking shoes are recommended. There were booths that provided warmth, food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. I worked at the chicken and chips booth at the renaissance festival when when I was 14, my very first job, so I had to stop and order some chicken and chips(french fries) with a side of honey mustard and my husband ordered the brisket chili. The chili was served in a 16oz styrofoam cup which kept it hot until he was finished. The chicken and chips were served hot and fresh as well...3 large chicken strips and delicious crispy french fries. Both meals were absolutely PHENOMENAL for such a decent price of $9 each. As we ate, we sat and watched a fire show with juggling and other fun tricks. Unfortunately, I didn't get but one photo because I had an extended day of work and didn't get to charge my phone before heading to the event. We plan to return next year. Tickets were very affordable and with early bird special, we purchased all 5 tickets for $58. 4 adults and one child. It was a great time!

Friends and I stopped in for the Knights Of Lights, It has been good to see that staff take feed…read moreback from year to year and try to make improvements every year. This year they opened up the festival grounds more and moved some of the stuff like the Glow Mini Golf, Snowball fight area and light up maze out of the flow of the normal walk way so that you could enjoy the lights and time without having to dodge some kid throwing stuff at you. They also moved the Cookie making station to the White Stage Hall which made the flow of it better and less of a wait line. My whole group spent the $28 on the refillable hot chocolate thermos, I do wish there were more locations to refill it I only saw two places. They did do a better job at having warming tents spread throughout more as well. There were performances and a pub crawl you could join in as well.

Being the transplant that I am, I've started to try to explore all that the area has to offer…read more Given KC's reputation for great jazz, I was excited to check out Jazz in the Woods at Corporate Woods, held in June annually. For those non-locals like me who haven't been going for 20 years, it's an outdoor free music festival held once a year in Corporate Woods Business Park. All donations and proceeds concessions and such go to local children's charities. What I really appreciated about the event was that many of the concessions were run by local favorites like La Bodega, Jack Stack and Bo Ling's. Don't worry though, you can still get your nacho's and funnel cake for those seeking a some traditional fair food. Beer, wine and sangria also flows aplenty! Live Jazz playing Friday and Saturday night and there's a fun run on Saturday morning. Personally the run is not for me after all the Sangria from Friday night, you won't catch this girl tackling a 5K or 10K. But don't worry runners, I'm here for moral support! I'll meet you for another glass of Sangria at the finish line! Hints - Don't bring a cooler, they aren't allowed as you are supposed to buy the food there. Before you complain remember it's for the kids. Trust me I'm using that line all weekend "I need this kettle corn, it's for the kids!" - Bring blankets and lawn chairs, no seating in the park. Unless you are going fancy and buying a seat ($60) in the jazz pavilion (read: picnic tabled area with while picket fence)! - Bring cash. Enough said. - Come early to stake out your claim in the grass and to deal with parking. How can you not love it? Free jazz, an excuse to relax in the park all afternoon and evening and eat and drink your weight in goodies from local eateries! This might have to be my new KC tradition!

This was an annual event. However this has been cancelled altogether. The last time I went the…read moreElders were featured who's is an Irish band. Go figure.

Great festival in Kansas! Love that we have one here and only wish it was longer! It is 1 day only…read moreso don't miss it! They have delicious Japanese foods and desserts, entertainment, demos, crafts, and more! A very unique experience in the Midwest!

I went there as a volunteer for a candy artist workshop in the morning and the kimono…read moredemonstration/presentation on the Japanese war bride workshop in the afternoon. The festival was amazingly well presented. So many fun workshops, booths and exhibitions. They invited lots of Japanese people from different states and even have performers/singers fly from Japan just to make this festival happen. On the third floor, there are Anime related booths, and they also have cosplay competition. It was really fun! As a volunteer, they gave volunteers free admission. And I have to be honest, they don't really organize the volunteers that much. After I signed up, I didn't get any information until 4days prior to the event. And there was no orientations. They ask you to be there and then you will get the missions depending on the workshops you signed up. Also it was all going with the flow. One thing I was concerned was that they didn't provide the orientation about the emergencies since they would expect herds to be in the building. The other festival I volunteered requested that we volunteer watch the videos about how to react to emergencies (like gunshots, chaos things...) Yet in their brochure they said the people wearing vest would know answers for their questions. That is not true, at least I don't know the building, I couldn't find the food court unless I ask the information desk, and I don't even know what would be expected for the workshop volunteer to help. Overall, I would still highly recommend to go to this Japan festival if there is one next year. I will definitely be there again. But maybe just join as the attendee but not a volunteer.

OPA! Really great festival this year. Logistics fixed: ample on-site parking, overflow parking,…read moremanageable food & drink lines, seating areas clean & bussed. Fun and friendly people as always and of course wonderful food!

Can't beat the Greek Festival. The ladies of the church always put extra dolmades on my waif, thin…read moredaughters plate in attempt to fatten her up. We go every year they have the festival and we are in town.

This was year 19 for the Waldo Fall Festival! I am going to bow my head in shame, and admit that I…read morehave never attended the Fall Festival until this year, and we have been living in the neighborhood for about a decade. I'm so happy that we finally made it, and am pledging to not miss it again. It was simply nice, family fun. Even if you don't have kids with you, you would likely have a good time. There were just the right amount of activities for a festival of this size (around 3000 attending between 10-5.) For kids there was an inflatable bouncy house, and a huge inflatable slide. There was also a train ride, a spinning carnival ride, and a tall rock climbing wall set up (adults may be able to do that too? - not sure, I had a four-year-old & a one-year-old with me, so none of us were going to do it.) There was a stage set up with live music and dance performances. Some firefighters were present, allowing kids to climb around on a fire truck. A large, tented area has various Waldo businesses, neighborhood associations, and non-profits set up with tables. They not only had info about whatever organization they are, but many had small giveaways primarily aimed at kids (candy, balloons, etc.) It gives you a nice sampling of some of the things going on in Waldo. As far as food options, this year there was a funnel cake/snow cone truck, The Magical Meatball Tour, Paparico's, a BBQ tent, and an ice cream truck. It was a decent selection, but I would love to see the options expanded some too. We didn't come until a little after 2:00, so we missed the bike ride, opening ceremony with the Mayor, free VIN etching, seeing Clifford the Big Red Dog and KC Wolf, and some of the police/fire demonstrations. I feel like we stuffed a lot in, even missing all of that! The only things I would wish differently are some sort of play option aimed at the under two or three set, and more food trucks!

After having attended quite a few beer festivals throughout the years in Kansas City, I have come…read moreto the conclusion that Hopfest is the best of the bunch. Most importantly, the beer selection was really good! I mean, I've been to festivals with a few more selections, but i didn't even come close to trying all of them that were available here. Further options would just be wasted. Plus a lot of familiar breweries pulled out stashes of really unique products. I was glad to get a sample of some rarities from Boulevard, Schlafly and New Belgium. I know for a fact there were a lot of other little surprises in the mix, I just never got around to trying them. The layout is fantastic. There were quite a few people here, but the lines moved quickly and efficiently. No waiting 10 minutes to sample a beer. Barely any waiting at all. I thought that was pretty awesome. There were plenty of tables and shade for people wanting to chill for a bit, and the restroom line moved quickly as well. I'd maybe add a FEW more toilets next year, but it wasn't that big of a problem. My only other suggestion would be to do something different with the speaker series. It's great that they offered it, but I think they should make it more prominent. It was difficult to hear the speakers, at least the couple that I kinda/sorta paid attention to. OK, one more suggestion: I think it'd be fun to have a vendor area. I mean, beyond a sausage and lemonade truck. Overall, I was VERY happy to attend Hopfest, and It'll certainly be on my calendar next year.

I was definitely very happy to attend Hopfest this year and I hope this will be a reoccurring…read moreannual festival. When I think of the establishments in Waldo I think of beer - from brewery, to sports bar, to gastropub, to dive. So, how very appropriate to have such an amazing beer tasting day in Waldo. The craft beer selection was quite extensive to say the least. Though it was packed with lots of folks, the pace was surprisingly easy and fast and barely any waiting at all. All of the vendors were extremely friendly as well as very patient & informative - they all seemed to enjoy discussing beer and didn't mind having their brains picked. I love the art of beer and I happen to be a very inquisitive individual as well - so it was refreshing to feel at ease while I delved into the world of endless beer knowledge. As Matt E. suggested, I also think that it would be wonderful if Hopfest would make their speaker series more prominent in the future and I second his suggestion on enhancing the vendor area to more than just two - quite a few Waldo exclusive vendors would be a really nice touch or at least plenty of food trucks would be divine. As an amazing conclusion to my day, my girlfriend and I gladly went next door to The Well to enjoy the Spinach Artichoke Dip (along with a pint to wash it down, of course) - it was offered complimentary when you used Yelp's mobile app to check-in to Hopfest!

This has been the second time I have gotten to go to this event. The first time, it was still held…read moreat the riverfront park. Performers on multiple stages playing my favourite music. Organised places to get signatures and meet your favourites. All while stopping by the multiple tents to pick up another Guinness! I expected a few more vendors selling their crafts; however, I understand that to do so has become harder and harder. There is an issue with some crafters using a lot of Cheap AI Art or the overabundance of 3d printed tchotchkes. But, a few more selling good items would have been welcome. I don't think there were more food options to choose from. I, of course, chose items that could be considered standard Irish fare. Too much on while watching the shows. It was a good turnout. Only bad experiences were with other goers who just didn't bother to consider that there were people around them. But, that isn't the norm and were few and far between on the 12 hours that we were there! Note: Love the HIGH KINGS!!!

I can't tell you how many years I have attended this event, It is always a great event. So many…read moregreat bands and performers. With everything from a silent disco, Bingo, cultural movies and talks, along with a whole area for the kids to play and run. Plus a row of food venders and beer tents. There is also a large area of art dealers and tents. It is easy to get there in the morning and make a day of the event.

This was our second year coming to St. Basil's Ethnic Food Festival. It is a wonderful experience…read moreand the food has been interesting and delicious. This year we ate the gyros, Greek salad, baklava, sarmale and Ukrainian borscht. All were well done. I must speak specifically about the Borscht. It was rich and nicely flavored with small bits of beef and lots of beets and potatoes. A nice dollop of sour cream topped it off. Very tasty. I could have eaten a gallon of it. The church offerst tours and non-pushy/judgmental briefings on Orthodox Christianity, which I enjoy. Sometimes you may catch a group dancing an ethinic dance as we did. Interesting to learn about Middle Eastern and Eastern European Christians.