Fall festivals across KC this weekend
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Illustration: Maura Losch, Lindsey Bailey/Axios
It's fall's first weekend in Kansas City, and pretty much everywhere you look, the metro is celebrating.
The big picture: Between fall festivals and art parties in the city and across the region, you can't say "there's nothing to do."
Yes, but: Storms are threatening to put a damper on Friday and Saturday, so check for updates before you venture out.
KCMO
🎨 The Plaza Art Fair kicks off its 95th year at 5pm on Friday and runs through Sunday, turning streets normally packed with traffic into a massive walkable art gallery with artists from across the country.
- The Art Walk & Shopping Stroll offers store deals and comes with a coloring and puzzle book, and a family activity block offers artsy activities for kids.
- The fair is rain or shine, so keep your umbrella by the door.
🍺 Oktoberfest Live! returns to Power and Light for its 10th year, with live music, games and competitions including "stump" (aka Hammerschlagen), stein-holding and wiener dog races.
- The fun runs 3-7pm for folks 21 and up. Admission is free.
🖌️ 18th & Vine's Arts Festival isn't your typical arts festival, with live art demonstrations and competitions, a fashion show and a wing-eating contest.
- The festivities run Friday through Sunday. A day pass is $10, and a weekend pass is $20.
Suburbs
🎡 Liberty's Fall Festival promises more than 200 vendors, plus music, carnival rides and a parade through the heart of downtown at 11am on Saturday.
- We love the festival map and interactive vendor page.
- It runs Friday through Sunday. Admission is free. Times vary each day.
🎶 Overland Park's Fall Festival runs 4pm-8pm Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday, with two stages for live music. It's the first time the city is hosting it in its newly completed farmers market.
- Organizers say you can text "OPFALLFEST" to 888777 for weather updates and cancellations.
🇩🇪 Lee's Summit's Oktoberfest wants you to don your dirndl and lederhosen and come down to its farmers market for stein-holding and fashion contests Friday and Saturday.
- Sunday is game day, and the fest will include a Chiefs watch party as they take on the Dolphins at 12pm.