⛲️ Land of the Free (State)

Another Monday, another packed week of summer events across Kansas City.

⚽️ Event of the Week: Johnson County Watch Party

🌾 Free State Festival kicks off today in Lawrence

🐦‍⬛ Experience the world of Mo Willems at Crown Center

📈 Record days for the KC Streetcar and MCI

P.S. A lot of small businesses around Kansas City are experiencing lower-than-expected summer traffic. Don’t be afraid of the large crowds; get out and support your favorite local restaurants, coffee shops, bars, retail, etc., this week!

Event of the Week 🎟️

Events

Free State Festival Returns to Lawrence Today Through June 28th

Lawrence Arts Center

The Free State Festival returns to the Lawrence Arts Center starting today, with a theme of "The Revolution is at the Movies."

What's On Screen: The week features a mix of film, conversation, and live music, including The Battle of Algiers (June 23), An Evening with Boots Riley (June 24), Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (June 25), a Robyn Hitchcock conversation and concert (June 26), and a closing day of short films, documentaries, and a culinary pairing event (June 27-28). World Cup fans can even catch Soccer on Screen: USA vs. Türkiye on June 25.
Land of the Free: Free State Festival blends film screenings, live music, comedy, and big ideas into one community-wide week, drawing support from KU, the Lawrence Public Library, Kansas Public Radio, and more.

All Access Passes are already sold out, but individual event tickets remain available.

The Pigeon Has Arrived at Crown Center!

Crown Center

Step into the colorful world of Mo Willems at The Pigeon Comes to Kansas City: A Mo Willems Exhibit!

Willems’ World: Kids will enjoy hands-on art activities inspired by Willems’ stories while learning about the emotions and friendships that make his books so memorable. The exhibit also features illustration prints and works in progress that give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Willems’ creative process. This free exhibit brings storytelling and creativity to life in a fun and interactive way.
Fly to KC: The Pigeon Comes to Kansas City! A Mo Willems Exhibit was co-organized by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

The FREE exhibit is open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, Noon to 5pm, Fourth of July and Labor Day (9/7), 10am – 5pm inside Crown Center Showplace, Level 1.

KC Daily Picks

In Other News…

🇦🇷 ¡Vamos Argentina!: Celebrate Argentina as they take on Austria during FIFA World Cup™ action. Enjoy themed entertainment and activities while watching on a massive 20’ x 30’ LED screen at Theatre in the Park. Free admission! Registration required.*
🛫 Frequent Fliers: June 17 was MCI's second busiest outbound day ever, with nearly 23,500 travelers screened — just 185 short of the all-time record. World Cup fans flying home after KC's match drove the surge.
🚲 Along the Path: Heritage Trail, a paved path along the Missouri River in Current Landing leading to CPKC Stadium, is now open.
💍 I Take Thee: Rumor has it that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will throw a July 3rd wedding party at Madison Square Garden in NYC, not in Rhode Island as initially thought. Maybe one more pivot to a wedding at Arrowhead?
🚉 Riders on the Rail: The KC Streetcar hit over 39,000 passenger trips on June 16, the highest single-day ridership in system history, as Argentina beat Algeria in KC's opening World Cup match.
🏗️ Bier & Fußball: KC Bier Co. in Waldo is hosting World Fußball watch parties all week long. Check the schedule, and find a time to grab a beer and take in the world’s game!
🎟️ Sell Out: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like an extra {{active_subscriber_count}} pairs of eyes on? Book an upcoming Event of the Week!