Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival & Other Weekend Possibilities
Vote for the best donut in KC at this weekend's Donut Fest KC. (Photo: Jonathan Bender I Flatland)
Published September 2nd, 2016 at 6:00 AM
Always thought you’d thrive in the Old West? Find out at the 44th annual Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival, which celebrates the origins of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails (yes, that one that you played on that computer game that time in middle school) in Independence, Missouri. The four day festival kicks off today and it’s an amazing mash-up of bingo, blacksmithing, fireworks, a carnival, and all the fried foods.
Fried foods not your bag? How about mango on a stick or barbecue or cinnamon rolls or chocolate chip cookies the size of hubcaps? SCG Days are the Las Vegas buffets of Missouri — you’ve got the same chance to discover unexpected combinations. The festival runs today from 12 to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Food Truck Friday returns to The Kansas City Star’s parking lot at 18th and McGee from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight. There will be apple pie waffles, meat pickles (a cheeseburger stuffed inside a pickle), as well as ice cream.
The Kauffman Center is planning a pretty wild fifth birthday celebration tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. They’ll have cake, cocktails, food (everything from ceviche to a barbecue bowl) for purchase, and plenty of live free music (on four stages) at BravoKC!
Here comes the heat. Port Fonda in Westport is hosting a hatch chile festival on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. The outdoor block party at 4141 Pennsylvania Avenue will have roasted hatch chiles, a full bar outdoors (read: bloody marys), and live music.
Like a little barbecue with your beer? Big Rip Brewing Co. is now serving barbecue from Hawg Jaw Que and Brew on Friday and Saturday.
Turkey legs are back, people. The Kansas City Renaissance Festival’s opening weekend starts tomorrow in Bonner Springs and runs through Monday. Get your turkey legs, mead, or tea with fairies.
KC Wine Co. is kicking off fall with a Ciderfest on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. They’ll have cider slush, live music (from 2 to 5 p.m.), and free mini cider doughnuts.
— Jonathan Bender writes about food trends and is the author of “Cookies & Beer” and “Stock, Broth & Bowl.” Follow him on Twitter @jonathanbender.