Weekend Possibilities | KC Oktoberfest, Monster Trucks and Witches Night

It’s opening weekend for the Exiled Trail of Terrors outdoor haunted house in Bonner Springs and witches are going clubbing Saturday night. Too frightful? Drink some beer at KC Oktoberfest or celebrate the music of the ‘70s.

Friday, Oct. 6

5 – 9 p.m. The wait is over. Kansas City Juggling Festival weekend is here. The fun starts Friday at Argentine Community Center, 2810 Metropolitan Ave., where there will be ample space for an open juggling and skill toy session. Created for entry-level jugglers and top-tier performers, the festival will have snacks, industry vendors and raffle prizes up for grabs. Be sure to check out the full weekend schedule online. The festival is free.

6 – 10 p.m. If you are out enjoying First Fridays in the Crossroads, stop by the Carl J. DiCapo Italian Heritage Festival happening outside of Italian Gardens Pizza, 901 E. 19^th St., on the east end of the arts district. Pizza, Scimeca’s Italian sausage, chicken spiedini, pasta and meatballs and Italian cookies are on the menu. The festival is rolling out a full lineup of live Italian music for the occasion. Proceeds from food and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the Salvation Army.

8 – 11 p.m. The Exiled Trail of Terrors is beckoning thrill seekers into the dark woods of Bonner Springs, 12829 Loring Road, for its opening weekend. Be among the first to enter the outdoor haunted forest infested by the deranged this season by reserving an entry time online in advance. Exiled Trail of Terrors is not for the faint of heart. Expect to run, sweat and get a little dirty finding your way out of darkness. Tickets are $49. You must be 12 or older to enter.

Saturday, Oct. 7

10 a.m. The Greater Kansas City Japan Festival comes to the campus of Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Saturday. The one-day festival celebrating Japanese culture packs in a full schedule of programming in multiple buildings across campus. The festival will showcase Japanese cultural traditions, modern pop culture, food, music and art. Kids can learn and play across exhibits and a cultural village. Be sure to pick up a schedule of live music and dance performances. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

11 a.m. – 11 p.m. German-style bier, food and entertainment will make Crown Center Plaza, 2450 Grand Blvd., the “Munich of the Midwest” this weekend for KC Oktoberfest. Presented by KC Bier Co., the two-day party wraps up Saturday with a full day of beer, wine, traditional German food and lawn games like giant cornhole, polka dancing and live German music. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the gate. Prost!

6 – 10 p.m. After a long 20 years, art, live music and local vendors are back for River Market Art Festival Revival, 20 E. 5^th St. The City Market festival is family-friendly and will feature several local artists, unique art experiences and a large never-before-seen outdoor exhibit. The fest is free.

12:30 & 7:30 p.m. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party will light up T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., this weekend. For the first time, real-life Hot Wheels cars will transform into monster trucks to compete in battle and other competitions – in the dark. The show will include freestyle motocross and laser shows. Tickets are $12, plus tax and fees. Crash Zone pre-party passes are $8.62.

9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Speakers will bump dark and heavy electronic music into the early hours of Sunday morning at Darkside – Witches Night in Club Proof, 2801 Southwest Blvd. DJs Replikant and Blair Scott will be in the booth all night. Be sure to wear your witchy best. Cover is $10, you must be 21 to enter.

Sunday, Oct. 8

6 p.m. How do you make a duck sing the blues? Put it in the oven ‘till its bill withers. It’s Gonna Be A Lovely Day: A Tribute to Bill Withers from storyteller and musician Brother John is getting KC Fringe Encore performance Sunday evening at Westport Bowery, 817 Westport Road. The touching and comedic live music show is centered around Brother John’s personal life story and connection with Withers’ iconic catalog. Tickets are $12.

7 p.m. Across town at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave., John Lennon’s Birthday Bash will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Beatle who would be 83 on Monday. The East Bottoms venue will bring Beatles tribute band Liverpool to the stage to honor Lennon’s music. Expect appearances from other area musicians throughout the evening. Tickets are $20.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.