816 DAY festivities return to Downtown on Friday 8/16
Did you know that 816 DAY is a designated Kansas City holiday?
In August 2018, the 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.
816 DAY, named after our local area code, is a day-long celebration of all things KC. Celebrate all things Kansas City next Friday, August 16, 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 (DNA).
From the River Market to the Power & Light Districts and throughout Downtown KC – 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 816Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/816day.
“816 DAY is a perfect opportunity to celebrate and support local shops, restaurants and all the flavors, sights and sounds of our amazing city. There is no better place to do that than where it all began 160 years ago in the historic City Market,” said Sue Patterson, marketing director of the City Market, where the official 816 DAY evening events will occur that night.
816 Day is brought to you by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, KC Streetcar, Downtown Council, KC Streetcar, City Market, Visit KC, The City of Kansas City, MO, & Ride KC. 816 Day is sponsored in part by the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Commerce Bank, River Market Community Improvement District, Helix, Park University and Epoch Development.
Kansas City is all about giving back. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on 816 DAY, head to the City Market and sign up as a volunteer at the SPIRIT OF 816 HELPING HANDS DRIVE. 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, grab some lunch from some amazing restaurants offering 816 DAY deals and meet up with friends for a selfie in front of a giant 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. Evening entertainment is free, all ages. Beer, wine & non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
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 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 music, food, people, art, dance and culture. What better way to celebrate the history of Kansas City than in the historic City Market,” said Coleman.
Additionally, Coleman, in conjunction with Squeezebox and the KC Streetcar, will coordinate Kansas City historical re-enactors 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.”
