Weekend Possibilities | Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too, Festa Italiana and Caturday in the Crossroads Bountiful Harvest of Fun Fall Options
Published October 7th, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Above image credit: Over 35 breweries and wineries are represented at Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too. (Contributed | Kansas City Zoo)October’s second weekend in Kansas City offers plenty of fun fall options to get you pumped for Halloween.
Friday, Oct. 8
5 – 11 p.m. There’s a celebration of Italian tradition and Italian-American culture happening this weekend at Zona Rosa’s North Park, 7210 N.W. 86th Terr. The 2021 edition of Festa Italiana has three days of live music, dance and food. Highlights include Saturday’s cannoli eating competition, a Catholic mass on Sunday morning and an Italian motorsports show in the afternoon. Be sure to check out the full schedule online. Festa Italiana is free to attend.
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Browne’s Irish Marketplace, 3300 Pennsylvania Ave., will host another Irish Whiskey Tasting, Class and Dinner Friday evening, outdoors on the marketplace’s new “Paddy O.” An aficionado of Irish history, heritage and whiskey, George Vial will lead guests in eight whiskey tastings, a Q&A session and presentation on all things Irish whiskey. In addition to drinks and dinner, guests will get a Browne’s souvenir and receive 20% off clothing and gift merchandise. Tickets are $58.
7:30, 8:15 & 9 p.m. How about a creepy covered wagon ride to set off the Halloween vibes? Pioneer Trails Adventures is offering Ghost Tours of historic downtown Independence, Missouri, 217 N. Main St. The covered wagon tour will take the brave to where public hangings occurred and spirits are rumored to still wander the streets. Haunted house and ghost stories, plus a personal spiritual account from the wagon master are included on the adventure. The 30-minute ride is $10 per person.
Saturday, Oct. 9
11:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. More than a dozen local vendors will make it out to Fall Fest at Junque Drawer Boutique & Studio Saturday afternoon in Olathe, Kansas, 233 S. Cherry St. The free festival will have refreshments, snacks, a selection of fall candles and decor and Kansas City Chiefs football swag. A few participating vendors include KCookie Company, BeehiveKC Leather Earrings, Mad Denim and Leo & Stitch.
1 – 2:30 p.m. Adorable descends on Waggin’ Trail Dog Park, 432 E. 32nd Ave., Saturday afternoon in North Kansas City. Dress up your pup for Howl-O-Ween by North Kansas City Parks & Recreation and join the fun. Four-legged friends will be judged in a costume contest, be eligible to win raffle prizes, receive a doggy trick-or-treat bag and have plenty of photo ops. There’s a suggested $5 donation for admission. Proceeds will go to NKC Parks & Rec and NKC Animal Shelter.
6:30 – 11 p.m. Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too is back. One of the Kansas City Zoo’s, 6800 Zoo Drive, most popular annual events, the party brings more than 35 breweries and wineries to where the wild things are. Expect musical performances from The Grisly Hand, Faintheart and DJ Synematix. Tickets are $40 for Friends of the Zoo members and $50 for non-members and include one drink ticket. Capacity is limited.
7 p.m. Michelle Zauner, a best-selling author and musician, is bringing her musical project Japanese Breakfast to Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St., in Lawrence, Kansas, Saturday night. The highly anticipated show, supported by Luna Li, comes after a huge year for Zauner. In April, the artist’s memoir, “Crying In H Mart,” debuted at No. 2 on The New York Times bestseller list. In June, Japanese Breakfast released its third album, “Jubilee.” Tickets are available starting at $32 plus taxes and fees. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required.
Sunday, Oct. 10
(Courtesy | KC Pet Project)
Noon “Boldly going where no kitten has gone before,” Caturday in the Crossroads is back for a feline-themed bar crawl, benefitting the cats and kittens at KC Pet Project. Drink deals, raffle prizes and sweet merch are in the cards for each of the eight stops. Participating establishments include KC Wine Works, City Barrel, Torn Label Brewing Co. and Lifted Spirits to name a few. Reserve your spot starting at $30.
1 – 6 p.m. Boulevard Brewing Co.’s 8th annual cultural fusion festival Oktoberfiesta returns to the “parklet” outside of the brewery off Southwest Boulevard, 2534 Madison Ave. A benefit for the Mattie Rhodes Center, the 21+ celebration will have food specials, live music from The 3 Amigos KC Mariachi Band, a stein-raising competition and, of course, plenty to drink. Tickets are $20 and include a commemorative Oktoberfiesta Stein and first pour (while supplies last).
4 p.m. Old-school cowboy music and western swing is coming to Stockyards Brewing Co. for this week’s Sunday Service on the Patio, 1600 Genessee St. The West Bottoms brewery will welcome vintage western music makers 3 Trails West. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, as seating is limited. Admission is free. That means more money to spend on beer.