Memorial Day is remembering and honoring the lives of men and women lost while serving the United States Armed Forces. It's also the unofficial start of summer. Here's your guide to honoring the heroes (and some summer fun too!) around Overland Park and Kansas City.
It's a day that will be forever remembered. In honor of the victims of 9/11, the memorial at the Overland Park Fire Training Center serves to educate visitors about the tragic events and heroic efforts of that day. A 14-foot piece of steel from Ground Zero is on display. A victim's panel lists the names of those who died and a weeping wall fountain represents those who survived. When you walk to the memorial, you'll walk on a piece of granite pulled from the World Trade Center after the attacks.
Over a million and a half U.S. soldiers served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The Korean War Veterans Memorial was erected to honor the service and sacrifice in what many called America’s “forgotten war”. The backdrop of the memorial has 30 granite panels engraved with the Korean War statistics plus plaques for each of the five military service branches. When you enter the memorial, you will pass standing formations and rocks that represent the rugged terrain of the Korean landscape. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located near 119th and Metcalf.
Nearby in Kansas City, the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial is especially worth the visit on Memorial Day weekend. Step inside and the artfully displayed sea of red poppies guide you into the main exhibition space, opening your eyes to the bloodshed and heroism that was displayed between 1914 and 1919. From there you can view the vast collection of artifacts, step into a makeshift bunker and learn all about how the United States rose into the center stage. Once outside, ride up to the top of the Liberty Memorial for a gorgeous 360 degree view of downtown Kansas City. Veterans and active duty military personnel and their spouses and dependents receive free admission to the Museum with ID. For the general public, admission is half price all weekend.
Kick off the weekend at Prairiefire with a free concert on Thursday, May 22 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Flashback KC will be taking the stage at this week's Summer Music Series and singing everything from classic rock and roll to upbeat pop music. Take in the music while you enjoy some of the best food and patios in Overland Park. Plus, this is an open consumption event meaning you can walk around the block with your drink! The best part? This event is completely free!
Now that the summer sunshine is here to stay, Overland Park's public pools will open on Sunday, May 25th from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Young's Pool, Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center and Stonegate Pool will all be open and ready for you to dive on in! Not ready to get in the water? Check out the splash pads at Thompson Park, Roe Park and Sapling Grove Park and cool off with little ones!
This season, the Overland Park Farmers' Market takes place at Matt Ross Community Center, bringing farm-fresh produce, local goods, and specialty items to Downtown Overland Park. This temporary location is due to construction of the brand-new Farmers’ Market and Downtown Gather Space Improvement Project, ensuring an even better market experience in the future. The market will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Looking to add some adrenaline to your weekend plans? Head to Worlds of Fun! This iconic amusement park offers a globe-trotting experience with thrilling rides and attractions. For those seeking aquatic thrills, Oceans of Fun, the adjacent water park included with admission, opens for the season on Saturday, May 24. It's the perfect spot to cool off with wave pools, slides, and splash zones.
By spending Memorial Day weekend in Overland Park, you have the chance to remember your heroes and enjoy the first taste of summer... all in one unforgettable weekend.
