Weekend Possibilities | Wettest Block Party, Beer and BBQ Festivals and Mother’s Day

Between mint juleps, the American Royal Professional Rodeo and Kansas City BBQ Festival, there’s a lot to get into this weekend.

But remember, it’s really all about mom.

Friday, May 6

5:30 – 8 p.m. Barbecue, bands and beer are coming to Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, this weekend — and it’s not even football season. Kansas City BBQ Festival kicks off Friday and runs through the weekend, featuring plates from pitmasters from across the country, plus live music. The festival is free to attend, but food and drink must be purchased. Pit passes are available for $91 for adults. The pass gets you 2.5 hours of bottomless BBQ, signature cocktails and access to private restrooms.

7:30 p.m. Speaking of beef, the second of three nights of American Royal Professional Rodeo performances is set for Friday night at Hale Arena, 1701 American Royal Court. Arrive early for tailgate parties and access to the beer garden. General admission tickets are $25. Children under 3 get in for free. Parking is $15 (cash only).

9:45 p.m. Screenland Armour’s annual horror film festival Panic Fest wraps up this weekend, but not before the “Best of Fest” screening of “Allegoria” in-person at Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Road. This year’s festival is hybrid, showing more than 50 feature length and short films, both in the theater and online. Tickets to Friday’s screening are $15. Virtual passes are $115.

Saturday, May 7

2 – 7 p.m. Dust off your finest hat and head to the Electric Park Garden Bar at J. Rieger & Co., 2700 Guinotte Ave., for the East Bottoms distillery’s Kentucky Derby Party. The fastest two minutes in sports will be accompanied by special drinks, bluegrass music and best hat, tie/bowtie and best-dressed couples competitions. There will be prizes. Tickets are $25.

4 – 11 p.m. Back in the days of Prohibition, 25 of the 29 businesses on the West Bottoms block between State Line Road and Genessee Street along 9th Street were speakeasies, liquor stores or saloons. The area was dubbed “the wettest block in the world” and the history will be celebrated this weekend with the Wettest Block Party. The street festival will have local beer and whiskey, live music performances, artists and vendors set up around 9th & State. Tickets are $25.

6 – 10 p.m. It’s beer and more beer on the field inside Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, come Saturday. KC Brew Fest is bringing more than 60 breweries and 150 different brews to the gridiron, not to mention lawn games and food. Tickets to party on the field with fellow beer lovers start at $50 and include unlimited tastings. VIP and early admission tickets are also available and provide access to the field early, along with a locker room and media room tour.

7 p.m. Jazz & Jackie: A Musical Tribute to Jackie Robinson is coming to The Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St. Marking the anniversary of Robinson’s first game in the Negro Leagues, Saturday night’s concert will celebrate the ballplayer and barrier-breaker’s time in Kansas City and affinity for jazz with music from Phil Perry and Mark Harris II. Tickets start at $25. Proceeds benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Sunday, May 8

2 – 11 p.m. Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen, 1526 Walnut St., is rolling out a special Mother’s Day Menu for Sunday. The menu makes for the perfect plan to celebrate mom with pan-seared crab cakes, filet mignon, fine wines, delicious dessert and time around the table together to the sound of live music. Be sure to make a reservation as soon as possible. There are a lot of amazing moms out there.

2 – 5 p.m. Just around the corner, KC Wineworks, 1829 McGee St., has plans to celebrate with a Mother’s Day Sip & Glaze. Attendees will receive a pre-made pottery piece to custom glaze while sipping on a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are $45 per person.

7 p.m. Professional funny guy Bert Kreischer is coming to Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, 1228 Main St., for a silly Sunday evening. Tickets to the stand-up comedian, actor, television and podcast host and author’s The Berty Boy Relapse Tour stop in Kansas City start at $39.75, plus tax and fees.

Flatland contributor Clarence Dennis also is a social media manager for 90.9 The Bridge.