Weekend Possibilities | Outlaw Days, Ed Sheeran and a Shrek Fest

August already? Start the unofficial final month of summer strong, with options including live music, a fishing derby and carnival rides at the county fair.

Friday, Aug. 4

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Barks in the Bottoms is providing the chance for you and your furry friend to shop, eat and drink together all weekend long in the West Bottoms, 1401 W. 13^th St. Humans can look forward to vintage stores and food trucks throughout the weekend. Organizers will have water and treats available for the pups, plus doggie daycare for when it’s best to have some alone time. Be sure to check your favorite West Bottoms shop’s hours in advance. There is no admission fee.

8 p.m. Nineties music meets Broadway in Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill The Musical, coming to Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, this weekend. The musical tells the story of a “perfectly imperfect” American family, set to Morissette’s iconic catalog. Tickets are available starting at $16, plus tax and fees.

Saturday, Aug. 5

9 – 11 a.m. Wake up early Saturday morning for an old-fashioned Youth Fishing Derby on the banks of Peculiar City Lake, E. 223 St. Three different age groups will compete in the free derby with some cool prizes on the line. Be sure to bring your own fishing poles, tackle and chairs. There’s a hot dog lunch at 11:15 a.m. Worms will be provided.

Noon Saturday is the final day of the Johnson County Fair on the grounds in Gardner, Kansas, 136 E. Washington St., so get in on the classic fair food, fun and games before it’s over. It’s worth noting that carnival rides open early at 4:30 p.m. and tickets are $1 each. Wristbands for unlimited rides are $35. Saturday night’s entertainment will be provided on stage by Chasity Jones and Some Kind of Wonderful and in the dirt with a fair-closing demolition derby. Derby tickets are $15. Be sure to check out the full details online in advance.

3 p.m. – Midnight Kansas City Outlaw Days will take over Grand Boulevard outside of KC Live! at Power & Light, 13 Grand Blvd., this weekend to celebrate three days of professional bull riding competition inside the T-Mobile Center. The free street festival will have multiple stages with wall-to-wall live music from local artists and DJs, meet and greets with pro riders and the bulls, sessions with Jack Stack pit masters, food, drinks, games and more for the entire family. Tickets to the competition are available starting at $20, plus tax and fees.

3 p.m. It’s Heart of America Hot Dog Festival weekend in the Historic 18^th & Vine District. A fundraiser for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the one-night festival is headlined by Con Funk Shun, Dru Hill, SOS, The Queens of Soul Jazz, Jacob Webb & Phylicia Rae and Levelle. A variety of hot dogs will be on the menu, in addition to other snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Be sure to check online for the full lineup, plus more details on what you can and can’t bring. General admission tickets are $50.

6 – 10:30 p.m. This summer’s live music lineup at the home of the Chiefs continues as pop superstar Ed Sheeran pulls up to Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive on Saturday night. The Grammy Award-winner is touring on his latest studio album “-,” along with supporting acts Khalid and Cat Burns. Tickets are available starting at $20, plus tax and fees.

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. You can party like everyone’s favorite ogre Saturday night in Kansas City, Kansas, with Shreking Ball: A Fairy Tale Dance Party at The Wylde Bar and Cafe, 4601 Shawnee Drive. Drink swamp water, eat a few waffles and shake it to beats by DJ XEF3R. There’s a costume contest starting at 11 p.m., so be sure to wear your “Far Far Away” best. Tickets are $10. You must be 21 to attend.

Sunday, Aug. 6

2 – 4 p.m. What’s better than a cold (local) beer and (local) live music? Boulevard Brewing Co. is teaming up with Manor Records to provide just that in Sunday’s BLVD Sessions featuring Kat King at the Beer Hall, 2534 Madison Ave. Enjoy the music and $3 session beers all afternoon. There is no cost of admission.

7:30 p.m. Thirty years after starring in the 1990s sitcom “Boy Meets World,”cast members Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle are on the road recording their podcast “Pod Meets World” live in front of audiences across the country. In the podcast, Fishel, Strong and Friedle rewatch episodes of “Boy Meets World” and react earnestly. Fans of the television show or podcast can still get tickets to Sunday’s live podcast at The Midland, 1228 Main St., starting at $35, plus tax and fees.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.