Weekend Possibilities | Lawrence Busker Festival, Champions League Watch Party, Celebration at the Station

Memorial Day weekend is officially upon us. Celebrate the unofficial start to summer with food, festivals, soccer and fireworks.

Friday, May 27

5:30 – 8 p.m. Fourth Friday of the month in Downtown Olathe calls for an evening full of food, fun, live music and more just south of the Olathe courthouse, 136 S. Cherry St. Face painters, balloon artists, glitter tattoos for the kids, food trucks and live music from Ridin’ The Storm Out and The Steve Miller Experience are on the docket. There is no admission fee.

7 p.m. There’s a star-studded Tribute to Sade happening Friday night at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming St. A who’s who of local musicians will take on the tunes from the English band led by singer Sade Adu, including Stephonee, Jade Green, Calvin Arsenia and Jass to name a few. Tickets to the Sade tribute show are $15.

9 p.m. Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and good company, Jurassic Park is showing at Electric Park in Olathe, 9305 Loiret Blvd. The family- and dog-friendly screening of the original 1993 film starts at dusk and is completely free. Restrooms will be available on site. “Jurassic Park” is rated PG-13.

Saturday, May 28

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Dialogue Institute of Kansas City, 4215 Shawnee Drive, is sending an open invitation to its Turkic Food and Art Festival. Stop by the free gathering designed to promote understanding, respect and cooperation among people of diverse faiths and cultures for tasty Turkish staples including gyros, Turkish pizza, baklava flatbreads, cakes and more. 

Noon – 4 p.m. Torn Label Brewing Co., 1708 Campbell St., has big plans for Saturday’s High Tai release. The new juicy, slightly tart IPA will be available to taste and take home. If you decide to hang around, there’s a full-on Polynesian-themed party planned, complete with a whole roasted pig, slaw, coconut rice, Poke bowls and jackfruit options for vegetarians on hand. DJ Jabberock will bring the tunes. The release party is free to attend. You must be 21 years or older.

1 p.m. The region’s largest gathering of street performers is underway in Lawrence, Kansas. Pay a visit to Massachusetts Street, 8th & Vermont St., to “ooh and ahh” at the Lawrence Busker Festival. All weekend long, the 15th iteration of the funky festival will feature talented street performers ranging from the one-man band to fire breathers and just about anything one can imagine in between. There’ll be beer tents and food trucks on site, plus a busker workshop for kids wanting in on the mix. Lawrence Busker Fest is free to attend. Be sure to check online for a full schedule of performances.

1:30 – 4 p.m. Soccer fans will flock to Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., for the UEFA Champions League Final Saturday afternoon. The bar and grill-pickleball play concept is the home of Kansas City’s Official Liverpool Supporters Club — just a heads up to fans of Real Madrid, who will go head to head with “The Reds” Saturday afternoon in Paris. Expect a lively atmosphere and cold beer.

Sunday, May 29 

10 a.m. & 2 p.m. If Nickelodeon’s “Paw Patrol” is all the rage at home, treat the kids to Paw Patrol LIVE! “The Great Pirate Adventure” Sunday at Kansas City Music Hall, 301 W. 13th St. Pick a showtime and settle in to watch Ryder and the pups take on an adventure to uncover hidden treasure as the traveling production wraps up its weekend in Kansas City. Tickets start at $20, plus taxes and fees. Children yet to celebrate their first birthday get in for free.

Noon – 6 p.m. Celebrate the long weekend with a cheers to 10 years of Amigoni Urban Winery Sunday afternoon. The local winemakers have plans for a 10 Year Anniversary Party at its West Bottoms location, 1505 Genessee St., where Flashback KC will provide live music to go with drink specials and raffle prize giveaways.

5 – 10 p.m. Celebration at the Station returns to Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Sunday evening. Live and in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 global pandemic, Kansas City’s largest Memorial Day celebration is back with multiple performances from the Kansas City Symphony, plus patriotic numbers from vocalist Oleta Adams and fireworks over the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Celebration at the Station is free and open to the public. 

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