816 DAY

Kansas City, Celebrated

Did you know that 816 DAY is a designated Kansas City holiday?

In August 2018, Kansas City City Council passed Resolution No. 180592 identifying August 16 as Kansas City’s newest holiday. It’s that special day in August when the date and our area code coincide and is a day-long celebration of all things KC. We encourage everyone to go out on Friday, August 16, 2019, and show your support of local businesses, organizations, artists and musicians.

“What started as a small idea with one restaurant three years ago, has morphed into a party through greater downtown. 816 Day is a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of Kansas City and the continued downtown renaissance,” said Jared Campbell, President of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

From the River Market to the Crossroads, from breakfast through happy hour to the evening, downtown merchants have created a variety of food and retail specials to celebrate the day. Riding the KC Streetcar is a great way to visit most of the shops and restaurants. Visit the Downtown Neighborhood Association website for a complete listing of specials and offers at www.dnakcmo.org/816-day or visit the 816 Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/816day.

816 Day is brought to you by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, KC Streetcar, Downtown Council, City Market, Visit KC, The City of Kansas City, MO, & RideKC. 816 Day is sponsored in part by the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Downtown Neighborhood Association, River Market Community Improvement District, Park University and Epoch Development.

An example of 816 Day activities are included below.

From 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., head to the City Market and sign up as a volunteer at the SPIRIT OF 816 HELPING HANDS DRIVE sponsored by the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Here you can learn about and join a variety of local non-profit organizations that help make our community a better place for everyone. While you’re there, meet up with friends for a selfie in front of a giant Kansas City Chiefs flag and be part of our RED FRIDAY FUNDRAISER for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

After work, spend your evening in the City Market for an experience like no other. All City Market vendors will be open and offering special 816 Day deals, shop the local artists and makers, play some yard games, and enjoy good food and music.

The evening will start with special aerial & acro-yoga performances by Voler at 6:16 p.m. and 7:16 p.m., followed by the ELECTRIC PARK EXPERIENCE, an evening of free live entertainment featuring local artist & musician Kemet “the Phantom” Coleman as he debuts his latest album on an outdoor stage at 8:16 p.m.

“I chose to release my latest album, Electric Park, on 816 Day because both the album and the day celebrate everything I love about Kansas City – the history, music, food, people, art, dance and culture. What better way to celebrate the history of Kansas City than in the historic City Market,” said Kemet Coleman. Additionally, Coleman, in conjunction with Squeezebox and the KC Streetcar, will coordinate Kansas City historical reenactors to be in full costume and character inside three of the streetcars during the early evening 816 Day festivities and into the performance of “The Electric Park Experience.”

KC Streetcar and City Market entertainment is free, all ages. Beer, wine & non-alcoholic beverages will be available but you must be 21 with valid ID to purchase alcohol. Take the free KC Streetcar to the City Market, or if you have to drive, parking is free in City Market parking lots. Directions & parking info available at: www.thecitymarket.org.

For 816 Day inquiries, contact Donna Mandelbaum with the KC Streetcar Authority at 816.627.2526 (office), 816.877.3219 (cell) or email at dmandelbaum@kcstreetcar.org. Follow #816Day on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.