By Sara Wiercinski
Saturday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 83 degrees: perfect weather for the 8th annual South KC Block Party at Red Bridge Shopping Center.
“For me, this event is about a sense of community,” said Rick Chambers, President of the South KC Chamber of Commerce, an event sponsor. “It’s a way to celebrate the different neighborhoods and people who live here.”
This year’s party will look different to accommodate the construction of the Chase Bank in the northwest portion of the shopping center.
“We changed our setup to feature tenant storefronts,” said Chambers,”and extended all the way down to Euston Hardware for kettlecorn and pumpkin painting.”
Other tenants will offer activities and shopping discounts. Around eighty local makers and artists from Art Garden KC, KC Black Owned and South KC Chamber members will sell unique products and works.
“It was important that we support small local businesses with this event,” said Chambers. “They have unique things that you can’t get off Amazon.”
According to Chambers, 80% of the tenants within Red Bridge Shopping Center are locally owned, and credits developer Lane4 for committing to local.
“It’s been an emphasis of theirs from the beginning – to have as much small business as possible,” Chambers said.
Center and Ruskin high school marching bands will perform, along with dancers from the Pulse Performing Arts Center, the Driscoll School of Irish Dance and a demonstration from Integrity Martial Arts.
The event is Farm Fresh Market’s first block party. Staff will host the Grocery Olympics in the parking lot– with miniature shopping carts and prizes for children– along with pumpkin painting, pizza for sale by the slice and free samples from the meat department.
Restaurants will serve signature specials, inside and out: Head to Tanner’s for burgers and chicken tenders, Barrio for street tacos and elote (Mexican corn). The Limit Pub & Grub will serve burgers and Caleb’s will have breakfast burritos and cinnamon rolls. Gelato from Sweet Granada is buy one, upsize it at no extra cost.
Runners and walkers can benefit the Center Education Foundation at the 13th annual 5K or 1-mile fun run/walk, which starts and ends at the Red Bridge Shopping Center. Race time is 9 am and includes a t-shirt and finishers medal. (Free registration for current Center students.)
Additional activities include face painting, caricatures, giveaways, the Mid-Continent Public Library Reading Rocket and sponsor Cable Dahmer Automotive Group’s car display and radio-controlled race car track.
“It’s a great event for all ages, from little kids to seniors… the kind of place where people run into people they know,” said Chambers.
The block party begins at 10 am and runs until 3 pm at 11212 Holmes Rd. Free admission.
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