Contact: Karis Erwin, National WWI Museum and Memorial, (816) 888-8122, kerwin@theworldwar.org
The Stars and Stripes Picnic will be on Saturday, July 2.
Promo images and video for Stars and Stripes Picnic located here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial and KC RiverFest will join forces for an Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display like never before. In partnership with Cumulus Radio, the public is invited to celebrate our nation’s independence at the Stars and Stripes Picnic on Saturday, July 2.
KC RiverFest, an event put on by Friends of the River Kansas City at the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront, has been a family tradition for two decades. Originally planned for July 4, 2022, this partnership will shift both the date and location to Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
"Our board is incredibly grateful to the National WWI Museum and Memorial for their willingness to marry our two events under the Stars and Stripes banner. This partnership lends itself to a larger event open to more musicians, artists, activities, food trucks, fireworks - and most important to everyone - more space for our Kansas City families who attend,” said Stefan White, Friends of the River Kansas City Board Chair.
The public is welcome to begin picnicking on the south grounds of the Museum and Memorial as early as 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. The grounds will host local food trucks, family-friendly activities, local vendors and artisans, local entertainment and live music performances. A fireworks display will begin around 9:40 p.m. This is a FREE event.
“Last year was the inaugural year for our Stars and Stripes Picnic and was a great success,” said Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. “We are thrilled to partner with Friends of the River Kansas City this year to bring this annual tradition of KC RiverFest to the Museum and Memorial, guaranteeing a Stars and Stripes Independence Day celebration for a long time to come.”
A vendor list and robust schedule of events will be available online in the coming weeks.
Media interested in covering the Stars and Stripes Picnic should contact Karis Erwin at 816-888-8122 or kerwin@theworldwar.org.
About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.
About Friends of the River KC
Since 2004 the mission of Friends of the River Kansas City (FOR_KC) (501c3) is to celebrate our heritage and promote the growth and development of the Kansas City waterfront areas through education, community outreach, volunteer commitment, fundraising opportunities making Kansas City a greener and cleaner space for generations to come.
KC RiverFest, the annual fundraiser for Friends of the River Kansas City, positioned itself as Kansas City’s official Independence Day celebration for two decades, gathering our KC metro together through a festival that celebrated KC history and education, conservation, recreation, and entertainment. KC RiverFest featured local musicians, artists, makers, kids activities, special brand activations, food purveyors, and closed the event with an enormous fireworks show that lit up the night sky.