Weekend Possibilities | NFL Draft, Kelce Jam, Kicks and Couture
April 27, 2023 | | 4 min read
The NFL Draft and draft-adjacent activities aren’t the only show in town this weekend. Outside of football mania, there’s live music, a new bookstore opening in Kansas City, Kansas, and The Great Wind Festival.
What’s your No. 1 pick?
Friday, April 28
Noon – 10 p.m. The NFL Draft Experience is free for football fans interested in checking out day two of the three-day extravaganza happening in Kansas City for the first time. The NFL’s “football theme park” on the south lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, will give attendees the chance to test their football skills with interactive experiences, gather signatures at an autograph booth, take a picture with the Lombardi Trophy and so much more leading up to and during Friday’s second and third rounds of the NFL Draft. Motley Crew will perform once all of Friday’s draftees are selected. Fans must download the NFL OnePass app ahead of entry. Be sure to check entry, parking and transportation details online in advance.
6 p.m. Chiefs 2013 third-round draft pick Travis Kelce is throwing a party to celebrate the big weekend in Kansas City, and you’re invited. Kelce Jam, a one-night music festival featuring Machine Gun Kelly, Loud Luxury, Rick Ross and Tech N9ne is Friday night at Azura Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St. Plans call for barbeque from Joe’s KC and Q39, brand activation activities from Wingstop and TickPick, plus football-related actives and more. Ticket prices vary.
Saturday, April 29
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Strawberry Hill is getting a new bookstore on Independent Bookstore Day. Stop by the Grand Opening of Flagship Books, 510 N. 6th St., for morning coffee from Kinship Cafe and then live music by Daniel Gum and tamales from Tarahumara from 6 – 8 p.m. The new shop will have independent bookstore roadmaps and other goodies to give away.
Noon – 5 p.m. Kansas City sneakerheads are coming together Saturday for Kicks and Couture by HYPEBEAST KC and Kansas City Fashion at Operation Breakthrough, 3039 Troost Ave. Organizers are expecting more than 100 vendor booths offering sneakers, street wear, collectible Funko figures, plus kicks and apparel from brands like Yeezy, BAPE, Supreme, Off White and Anti Social, to name just a few. Tickets are $15 and only available at the door.
Noon – 7 p.m. Start the celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month a few days early with Saturday’s Taste of AAPI Food Festival in the West Bottoms, 1447 Liberty St. Foodies can look forward to free admission and multiple booths offering authentic cuisine from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Samoa, Philippines and more for purchase, plus entertainment and activities.
1 – 3 p.m. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road in Blue Springs, will host a Mushroom Hunting 101 class this weekend. Experts will lead a discussion on different types of fungi, which mushrooms are eatable and where to find them. A foraging hike will follow the program. Be sure to register online in advance.
7 p.m. The New Pornographers stop at The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road, Saturday night in support of their new record, “Continue As A Guest.” The seven-piece Canadian indie rock supergroup led by A.C. Newman and Neko Case will be supported by Wild Pink. Tickets are available starting at $30, plus tax and fees.
Sunday, April 30
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There’s a May Day Celebration Sunday at Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50. Included with regular admission, the botanical garden will have May basket-making sessions and flower crafts for kids, a maypole celebration at noon and a flower cart available for adults to put together a bouquet to take home. Tickets to Powell Gardens are $12 for adults and $5 for kids.
2 – 6 p.m. The Great Wind Festival is Sunday afternoon at Leawood Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Road. The festival will have hands-on science and wind-powered activities for all ages, including rocket launching, kite flying, making paper airplanes, an aviation simulator, a rain gutter regatta and more. The Great Wind Festival is free to attend.
Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.
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