Kansas City does summer like nobody else; glorious months where block parties meet backyard Shakespeare and every weekend brings something uniquely local.

Why it matters: Summer here isn't defined by one marquee event. It's a season-long celebration of what makes KC feel like home; bold flavors, big energy and plenty of beer and barbecue.

🌈 Kansas City PrideFest and Parade

When & where: THIS WEEKEND. Friday-Sunday at Theis Park; parade Saturday down Broadway.

What to know: It's been 50 years since KC's first Pride celebration in 1975, and this anniversary edition is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

• Expect three days of live music, drag and dance teams wrapped in gold, literally.

🍺 Boulevardia

When & where: June 14 at Crown Center and Washington Square Park

What to know: The city's signature beer and music fest turns 10 this year — and instead of stretching it over a weekend, organizers are going all in on one packed Saturday.

• There's a Makers Market, drag performances, a Silent Disco and a Taps & Tastes beer experience with dozens of breweries.

🎭 Heart of America Shakespeare Festival

When & where: June 17–July 6 at Southmoreland Park

What to know: The 33rd season brings "Love's Labour's Lost" to the park — a rare staging of one of Shakespeare's early comedies about swearing off women... and immediately failing.

Between the lines: Grab a blanket, bring a bottle and settle in with hundreds of Kansas Citians for one of the city's best under-the-radar traditions.

See our full list

Two Birds One Stone announced it will officially begin pouring pints on Thursday, June 12.

The big picture: The high-profile beer garden and restaurant is the latest addition to the massive riverfront redevelopment supercharged by CPKC stadium.

What they're saying: "This is a big beer garden," Jerrod Gardiner, general manager, tells Axios. "I believe, legally, we can have 530 people down here."

What to expect: The bar boasts nearly two dozen local beer taps along with draft wine, cocktails, and a full bar program. A food menu will have handheld bites and shareables.

• "An absolutely excellent burger … little takes on nachos and stuff," Gardiner says.

The vibe: Patio furniture burnishes bright KC Current colors. A wall inside wields local sports pennants and posters. On another hangs a giant "KC" sign made out of painted pickleballs.

Behind the scenes: Gardiner says they're having a tough time hiring and need more servers, bartenders, line cooks and dishwashers to apply.

Stop by: Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-10pm. First come, first serve.

Go deeper

⚽️ Kansas City is marking the one-year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a free community celebration on June 22 at the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park. (KC FIFA)

🏟️ The Missouri Senate has approved a funding plan that could cover up to 50% of the cost for new or renovated stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals, aiming to keep both teams from relocating to Kansas. (KCUR)

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca was arrested on a domestic battery charge in Johnson County, Kansas, and released on bond. (KCTV)

👋 Hey, it's Travis!

Kansas City is known for its barbecue — we're all aware. And we love the staples: Joe's, Gates, Arthur Bryant's, Jack Stack.

Yes, but: What about the single-store pits that pack just as much of a punch?

The big picture: Kansas City's barbecue scene runs deeper than the big names and we're highlighting the hidden gems that deserve a bite.

Cue the 'cue: Wolfepack BBQ in Columbus Park

Dig in: What started as a pop-up in a brewery has since turned into a neighborhood staple. "Everything but the bun" is made in-house, according to the restaurant's website.

What to try: Wolfepack is known for its thick-cut brisket, which rivals the brisket I've tasted in Texas. Yeah, I said it, Axios Austin.

• What really blew me away was the side of "cowboy beans." The perfect mix of smokey, tangy and sweet deserves the title "best beans in KC."
• Pro tip: Mix the regular and spicy sauces for a perfect blend of sweet and heat.

The vibe: Rustic wood meets eclectic decor in this 100-plus-year-old building. A sheetmetal wolf design glows with neon backlighting while a border mural shows off local pride.

• There's more outdoor seating than indoor, with a sunny patio and an open air garage.
• Check out the smokers in the back. I asked nicely, and they showed me their meat.

Stop by: Open lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, lunch only on Sunday. Closed Monday.

• Street parking is available.

Today marks 81 years since D-Day, when Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, changing the course of World War II.

• As the nation pauses to remember, fewer WWII veterans remain with us, including here in the heartland.

By the numbers: Nationally, roughly 66,100 WWII veterans remain as of 2024.

• Missouri is home to 1,321 living WWII veterans.
• Kansas has 352 surviving veterans.

What to know: If you're up for a road trip, the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas, is hosting two standout events.

• Today, Winning the War, a Kansas City PBS documentary exploring the WWII legacies of Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, will screen at 2 p.m. at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, followed by a panel discussion with Eisenhower's granddaughter, Truman's grandson, and historians.
• On Saturday, the annual D-Day Commemoration Concert kicks off at 4 p.m. at the museum, featuring live music, military demonstrations, and a flag ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

Are you a Kansas or Missouri WWII vet, or know someone who is? Reply to this email and tell us their story.