Weekend Possibilities | Earth Day, Brunch Walk and a Kite Festival Mother Nature Would Approve

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the planet this Earth Day, some of which include beer.

Other options include Don Bosco’s Block Party, kite-flying and the start of Westport’s International Food Week.

Friday, April 21

5 – 9 p.m. Don Bosco Centers is throwing a Block Party Friday outside of its Columbus Park Community Center, 526 Campbell St. The free party to unofficially kick off summer and raise money for the nonprofit will have live music, a bar, food, games and more, fit for the entire family. Organizers ask that you RSVP on Facebook in advance.

8 – 10 p.m. Independence, Missouri, brewery Apex Aleworks, 4354 South Noland Road, hosts a weekly Stand-Up Comedy Night Fridays in its taproom. Hosted by comedian Sam Martin, the open mic-style evening is complete with craft brews or cocktails and bites from the bar. Sign up to perform starting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 22

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Go Native: Earth Day Edition at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., is a free, walk-in plant giveaway and instructional session on ways to plant native grasses, trees and flowers and how the foliage benefits local ecosystems. Hang out for a guided tour of the Discovery Center’s grounds and interactive games for folks of all ages.

Noon – 5 p.m. Casual Animal Brewing Co.’s 2^nd Annual Earth Day Celebration has big plans for Saturday afternoon. Stop by the Crossroads brewery for house plants and planters from rOOTS KC, onsite tie dyes, Earth Day prints, themed cookies by Kat’s Confections KC, a dim sum pop-up by chef Tim Jones and, of course, beer. Don’t forget to bring a plant to swap. Vendor goods are first come, first served.

1:30 p.m. Saturday’s Downtown Brunch Walk is the ultimate celebration of the beloved between-breakfast-and-lunch option. Ticket holders will stroll throughout the Power & Light District, 50 E. 13^th St., where participating establishments will dish out small plates, plus a cocktail at each stop. You must be 21 years of age to participate. A VIP option allows early access to the walk, plus special pours along the route and a souvenir to take home. General admission passes are $40. VIP passes are $60.

8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Crossroads arcade bar Up-Down, 101 Southwest Blvd., is putting on its 2023 Prom Saturday night and the evening is shaping up to be one heck of a re-do. Whether the pictures aged poorly or prom night back in high school turned out to be a total bust, Up-Down’s 2023 edition will have a sweet prom playlist, plus decorations, a photo booth, drinks and all sorts of fun and games. Ask your date before it’s too late. There is no cover fee. You must be 21 or older to enter the dance.

Sunday, April 23

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. There’s a Party for the Planet this weekend at the Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive. Free with regular zoo admission Saturday and Sunday, party plans include lesson on conservation, attracting pollinators and the migration path of the monarch butterfly. Local conservation-focused groups will have booths set up around the zoo grounds. Visitors can take home native seed packets to plant in their own garden. Tickets are $20 to $22 for adults and $19 to $20 for kids. Jackson and Clay County residents pay $9.50 to $11.

11 a.m. Westport International Food Week starts Sunday. The inaugural event across multiple locations will showcase the variety of global cuisine available throughout Westport, including special menu options from Brix (Latin American), Ça Va (French), Chewology (Taiwanese) and Chingu (Korean), to name a few. International Food Week runs through Saturday, April 29.  

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The cities of Sugar Creek and Independence are joining together to present Sunday’s Sky-High Kite Festival at Labenite Park, 3117 N.  Route 291. Bring a picnic, blanket and lawn chairs to enjoy the show featuring massive kites flown by professionals from Great American Kites & Events. Vendors and food trucks will be on site. Attendees will have the chance to buy and fly small kites of their own. No glass or pets allowed. The event is free.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.