Hey KC friends!

We're back! Our family roller coaster tour was absolutely amazing – King's Island, Cedar Point, Put-in-Bay, and all those incredible rides were such a blast. It feels great to be home, but wow, we are tired! There's nothing quite like a good family vacation to remind you how much energy kids have compared to adults.

Of course, work piled up while we were gone, and I'm still trying to catch up on everything. But I couldn't let this week go by without getting you your KC Scoop, especially with the Fourth of July holiday coming up!

I know Kansas City has tons of Independence Day celebrations happening this week – there are honestly too many great events to list them all here. Plus, I'm guessing most of you already have your holiday plans locked in anyway. Whether you're hitting up fireworks shows, backyard barbecues, parades, or just relaxing with friends and family, we hope you have a wonderful holiday however you choose to celebrate!

This week's edition will be a bit shorter than usual, but we've still got some other great KC events to share with you.

Before we jump in though, I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am that we get to live in America. Yes, our country isn't perfect – no place is – but we're incredibly lucky to call it home. We have freedoms that millions of people around the world can only dream about. We have chances to build the lives we want that so many others will never get.

Throughout our history, brave men and women have given everything – including their lives – to protect these freedoms for us. The fireworks, parades, and backyard cookouts are awesome, but they're not really what the Fourth of July is about. It's about remembering those sacrifices and being thankful for what we have.

So however you celebrate this week, take a minute to appreciate this amazing country we get to call home.

Enjoy your holiday, KC!

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FAMILY & KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Public Night at Powell Observatory
📅 WHEN: Saturday, July 5th 9:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Powell Observatory 26500 Melrose St., Louisburg, KS 66053
💫 ABOUT: Join us for a night under the stars at Powell Observatory! Bring your lawn chairs, cozy blankets, and enjoy our presentation on the lawn under the stars.

After our feature presentation, take a look through the star of our show, the largest telescope in the 5-state area, THE RUISINGER! Make memories with family and friends and enjoy the night sky with us!

OBSERVATORY ETIQUETTE: No white lights: headlights, flashlights, flash photography, etc. allowed on observatory grounds. Please park in the lot across the street, north of the facility.

• If it's raining or cloudy, event content and format may modified.
• This is a family-friendly event, no alcohol or smoking/vaping permitted on grounds.
• Please do not utilize bright/white light on observatory grounds.
• No pets, please.
🎟️ COST: Suggested Donation: (ASKC MEMBERS always FREE!)
12 & Over $10
Ages 5-11 $5
Kids under 5: Free
🔗 LINK: https://kcconvention.com/event/disneys-lion-king-musical/

Coffee Club - Central Park in Zona Rosa
📅 WHEN: Thursday, July 3rd, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
📍 WHERE: Central Park in Zona Rosa
💫 ABOUT: Grab your friends and make a playdate! Run and play at Central Park (splash fountain, playground & more!). Enjoy coffee from Brew Haha Coffee House truck & Bravo breakfast to-go.

DONATION REQUEST: Happy Bottoms is in desperate need for diapers for babies in KC. Please bring a package of diapers to donate to the organization if you can! Sizes 4-7 most needed.
🎟️ COST: FREE
🔗 LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/4012904738985454/4012904768985451/?active_tab=about

Discovery Day at the Overalnd Park Arboretum
📅 WHEN: July 1st, 9:00 Am - 12:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
8909 W. 179th Street
Overland Park, KS 66013
💫 ABOUT: Craft time awaits on the first Tuesday of the month at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Little explorers are in for a treat as they immerse themselves in the enchanting world of nature and creativity. Each month, a new make-and-take project unfolds on Discovery Day. Crafting supplies are included, and the projects are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 participants. The first Tuesday of the month also happens to be Free Admission Day at the Arboretum, so entry into the gardens and this project are all free!

JULY’S THEME: Tic Tac Toe bags
🎟️ COST: FREE
🔗 LINK: https://www.opkansas.org/events/discovery-day-at-the-arboretum-2-2025-07-01/

FREE & LOW-COST EVENTS

Bonner Blast in Bonner Springs
📅 WHEN: Thursday, July 3rd
📍 WHERE: 129 Elm, Bonner Springs, KS
💫 ABOUT: The City is proud to bring back Bonner Blast! 

Join us on Thursday, July 3, in historic downtown Bonner Springs for the return of Bonner Blast featuring a city band concert, ice cream social, and fireworks display! 

Visit Historic Downtown for shopping and dinner, then head over to Kelly Murphy Park, where you’ll enjoy an evening of patriotic music followed by an old-fashioned ice cream social and the Bonner Blast Fireworks Display. 

The City Band concert will begin at 8:30 p.m., followed by the ice cream social. 

Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m. after the City Band concert.
🎟️ COST: FREE
🔗 LINK: https://www.bonnersprings.org/371/Events

Love’s Labours Lost - Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

Final Performance!
📅 WHEN: July 6th, Gates open at 6:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Southmoreland Park 4600 Oak Street
(West of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)
Kansas City, MO 64111
💫 ABOUT: Did somebody say “rom-com?”

Taking an oath to isolate themselves from the oh-so-trivial distractions of women and LOVE, four men think that a focus on study, self-improvement and celibacy is the key to personal success. But when a Princess and her three companions arrive…something’s gotta give. Relish the chance to bask in summer love with this early comedy of Shakespeare’s.

The festival is proud to remain free to attend, with a large open seating area that can accommodate 2,000+ patrons each night. Attendees must bring their own blankets or folding chairs, and will be directed to the designated areas by volunteer ushers on arrival.

FESTIVAL TIP: Pack a picnic with your blankets or chairs. Outside food and drinks (including alcohol) are welcome. Arms already full? Food and drinks will be available on-site.
🎟️ COST: FREE
🔗 LINK: https://kcshakes.org/loveslabourslost/

Liberty Summer Band Concert Series - Final Performance!
📅 WHEN: July 1st, 7:30 Pm - 9:30 PM
📍 WHERE: 101 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO, United States, Missouri 64068
💫 ABOUT: The Liberty Summer Band is an all-volunteer group of approximately 80 musicians who rehearse and perform a series of four concerts each summer.

The repertoire is a variety of fun and exciting music ranging from concert overtures and marches to show tunes and light classics.

All concerts are free and open to the general public. Bring your lawn chairs!

2025 Concert Dates - June 3, June 10, June 24 and July 1
The July 1 event will be a patriotic themed concert.

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Rooney Justice Center Plaza
🎟️ COST: FREE
🔗 LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/1718702105391280/1718702112057946/?active_tab=about

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

That’s it for this week.

Have a fun and safe 4th of July!