Having a heyday in Grandview: Festival celebrates Truman’s birthday

By Kathy Feist

President Harry Truman may have been known for walking the streets in downtown Independence, Mo, a place he called home, but it’s in downtown Grandview, Mo, where a parade is held every year to celebrate his birthday. 

On May 5th and 6th, the City of Grandview commemorates the 33rd President’s birthday with the opening of the historic Truman Farm Home, located at 12301 Blue Ridge Blvd, and a citywide celebration, Harry’s Hay Days, which includes a concert, parade, festival and fireworks display. 

Truman was born 139 years ago on March 8, 1884, in Lamar, Mo. The young Truman family moved to their parent’s 1500-acre farm in Grandview in 1887, after brief stints in Harrisonville and Belton. When Truman was six years old, they moved to Independence, where he resided for the rest of his life. Truman lived on the farm for a short year in 1906 before entering the army. Choosing careers outside farming, Truman and his siblings slowly sold off the property, including what is now known as Truman Corners Shopping Center off I-49 Hwy and Blue Ridge Boulevard. The historic house and 5.25 acres were acquired by the National Park Service in 1994 and made part of the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site. 

With so much of the city of Grandview comprised of Truman property, a celebration commemorating the family is in order. 

Local music artist Nicki White opens for the 90s cover band Mixtapes on March 5.

On Friday, May 5, live music and dancing will start off at the Grandview Amphitheater with a concert by the 90s cover band The Mixtapes out of Springfield, Mo.  Raymore native music artist Nicki White opens for the band at 6 pm and fireworks round out the evening. 

On Saturday morning, a parade featuring Fox4 anchorman John Holt as emcee, will start at 10 am along Grandview’s Main Street. A festival will follow from 11 am to 4 pm, featuring a live music stage, kids zone, petting zoo, food trucks, over 80 vendors, a KC Bier Beer Garden, face painting and a Handsome Hairy’s Dog Contest. 

The historic Truman Farm Home will be open for tours where parts of the home have been newly renovated.