The Community Voice

Holiday Light Tours
2025-12-05 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | The Jewel Event Space, 410 Admiral Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, 64106, United States
Enjoy the festive lights while listening to holiday music on a 60 Minute light tour through Kansas City

Jazz Storytelling
2025-12-05 10:00 - 11:00 | American Jazz Museum Atrium, 1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Jazz Storytelling is a free, family-friendly, interactive show taking place in the museum, introducing young kids to the magic of jazz!

KC Fire Opening Reception
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Black Archives Of Mid-America, 1722 East 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
New Short Term Exhibit: KC Fire!
This exhibit in partnership with the Kansas City Fire Historical Society will tell the story of the KCFD and the City’s Black Firefighters.
Photographs and uniforms from within the Black Archives Collection will be on display, with multiple items from KCFHS, including game well boxes, helmets, photographs, nozzles, and more, will be on display.
This is a once in a lifetime display of materials rarely seen in public. The exhibit will be on display in the Rotating Gallery of the Black Archives of Mid-America from December 2- December 29, 2025 Monday- Friday 9am-5pm.
The Reception will include refreshments, a trivia game on the history of KCFD history, a chance to meet Paul Fergusson, President of KCFHS and Ray Elder, Historian of KCFHS, a modern fire truck, and weather permitting, an antique fire truck.

2025 State of Downtown
2025-12-03 16:00 - 18:30 | Zhou B Art Center Kansas City, 1801 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64127, United States
The 2025 State of Downtown will spotlight catalytic development projects shaping the next era of growth and transformation in downtown KC.

ABOUT THE EVENT
Building on the expanded vision introduced in 2024, this year’s event will continue to explore how downtown is evolving into a resilient, mixed-use, and highly livable district. Central to our theme is the concept of the ripple effect. As revitalization of the center continues, it is like dropping a pebble in a pond, creating a ripple. Investing in the center has an economic ripple effect on the neighborhoods surrounding the central business district.
This year’s program will highlight three major development initiatives – the 18th & Vine District, Roy Blunt Luminary Park & Barney Allis Plaza’s redesigned public space, and the UMKC Health Sciences District. We will explore how these projects are catalysts for a ripple effect of economic growth, neighborhood revitalization, and civic pride across our urban core.

AGENDA
4:00 PM – 4:30 PMRegistration & Arrivals

4:30 PM – 5:30 PMProgram
WelcomeJason Parson, President & CEO, Parson Associates, 2025-26 Chair, Downtown Council
Remarks & UpdateMario Vasquez, City Manager, City of Kansas City, MO
Featured SpeakerLynn Carlton, National Practice Leader for Planning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture, Burns & McDonnell
Panel Discussion

Moderator: Pat Contreras, Vice President, Business Development, McCownGordon Construction, Vice Chair, Downtown Council & 2025 State of Downtown Planning Chair
Dr. Mauli Agrawal, Chancellor, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Tara Green, Principal, Public Realm Strategies, OJB Landscape Architecture

Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Peter Sloan, Senior Principal Designer, HOK

Closing RemarksMayor Quinton Lucas, City of Kansas City, MO
5:30 PM – 6:30 PMReception

Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor – $7,500 (limit 1)

10 tickets to the event
Company logo prominently displayed on event materials and at the event
Recognition with logo and link as a corporate sponsor on the event website
Exclusive company feature in (1) dedicated email to DTC Membership
Acknowledgment from the stage during the event program and in social media surrounding the event
Opportunity to distribute collateral and/or branded swag at the event (item to be mutually agreed upon by the sponsor and Downtown Council, Inc.)

Platinum Sponsor – $5,000

8 tickets to the event
Company logo displayed on event materials and at the event
Recognition with logo and link as a corporate sponsor on the event website
Dedicated signage for specific event element sponsor
Acknowledgement in social media and PR efforts surrounding the event

Gold Sponsor – $3,000

5 tickets to the event
Company logo displayed on event materials and at the event
Recognition with logo and link as a corporate sponsor on the event website

Silver Sponsor – $1,500

2 tickets to the event
Company logo displayed on event materials and at the event
Name recognition and link as a corporate sponsor on the event website

To secure your sponsorship, please complete the online sponsorship form. Please contact Ashley Broockerd at abroockerd@evenergy.com with any questions.

2025 Wyandotte County State of the Government Hosted by the KCK Rotary Club
2025-12-02 11:30 - 13:00 | Memorial Hall, 600 North 7th Street Trafficway, Kansas City, KS, 66101, United States
Experience the Future of Our Community: Join the KCK Rotary Club for the State of the Government Address!

ZERO GRAVITY DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
2025-11-30 13:00 - 18:00 | KS
Calling out all content creaters — Bring your team – Your camera – Your games. This is an event you won’t want to miss

Watson’s Christmas Express
2025-11-29 17:00 - 20:15 | O J Watson Park, 3200 S McLean, Wichita, KS, 67217
November 29 – December 21(Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays — for ages 2 and up)

Step into a winter wonderland and let your holiday spirit soar aboard Watson’s Christmas Express! From twinkling lights to jolly tunes and the scent of roasting s’mores in the air, this is the ultimate festive experience for families and believers of all ages.

We’re spreading holiday cheer with two delightful ways to enjoy the magic:

VIP Package – The Ultimate Polar Adventure!Make your season bright with the full Christmas Express experience. Advance registration guarantees your time slot and all the magical extras! Gather around for a cozy reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg Create a keepsake holiday craft Board the train bound for the North Pole to meet Santa himself — and receive a special gift! Warm up at the campfire circle with s’mores and unlimited hot chocolate while singing your favorite holiday carols Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the full Polar Express magic!Cost: $20 per person (adults must also register)

General Admission – Choose Your Own Adventure!Looking for a more flexible way to join the fun? Come during general admission and build your perfect holiday experience from our festive menu! $15 – Train ride to the North Pole to visit Santa $5 – Toast s’mores (1 per person) and enjoy unlimited hot chocolateGeneral admission runs from 5:00–6:30 p.m. on event days. First-come, first-served — no advance registration.

Event DatesFridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from November 29 – December 21

Friday, November 29Saturday, November 30Sunday, December 1Friday, December 5Saturday, December 6Sunday, December 7Friday, December 12Saturday, December 13Sunday, December 14Friday, December 19Saturday, December 20Sunday, December 21

Available Time Slots5:00–6:15 p.m.5:30–6:45 p.m.6:00–7:15 p.m.6:30–7:45 p.m.7:00–8:15 p.m.(General admission closes at 6:30 p.m.)

Reserve your spot today: Register at wichita.gov/656/Watsons-Christmas-Express

McIlwaine Quarterly Speaker Series – Story of a Wichita Neighborhood
2025-11-29 13:00 - 15:00 | SEDGWICK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 204 S MAIN, WICHITA, Kansas, 67202
Story of a Wichita Neighborhood

The story of a neighborhood is about gathering together to build a life; places to stay, work, and be together in community. Such stories also include establishing a place of significance in the greater community of the city. Historian Donna Rae Pearson explores the McAdams neighborhood, tracing its origins to Wichita’s earlies days.

Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 11:00 - 16:00 | KC GIFT, 5008 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, 64111, United States
Shop local, connect with community, and invest in the growth of Kansas City’s Black businesses.

Pearson's Fall Festival
2025-11-29 10:00 - 22:00 | KS
first annual Pearson’s Fall Festival — a brand-new community tradition to close out the event season with a bang!

Enjoy a day full of fun for the whole family, including: Petting Zoo Horse Rides Festival Games like ring toss, cake walk, Connect Four, cornhole, sack race, and more! Face Painting Diverse Music & Great Vibes

Plus, we’ll have local vendors, food trucks, and plenty of smiles to go around!

Everyone’s always looking for something to do when family is in town after Thanksgiving — and this is the perfect way to gather, bond, and celebrate the season together.

Black Friday Night Market & Small Business Saturday Market
2025-11-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-28 17:00 - 21:00 | Celebrations Event Center, 4620 E 13th, Wichita, KS, 67208, United States
Vendor Weekend Opportunity – Black Friday + Small Biz Saturday Market

Two fun-filled indoor events celebrating local small businesses!

Friday, Nov 28 | 5–9 PM – “Shop Late, Shop Local” night market with music, deals, & great energy.

Saturday, Nov 29 | 10 AM–2 PM – “Shop Small Saturday” community shopping event.

Vendor Rates:

Returning Vendors: $10 single day | $20 both days

New Vendors: $20 single day | $30 both days

Message us or reply to this email to reserve your booth.

Let’s make this holiday shopping weekend unforgettable for our local small business community!

BRING IT BLACK VENDOR AIR
2025-11-29 08:30 - 15:00 | The Center, 1914 E 11th St N, Wichita, KS, 67214, United States
Last call for vendors to join Bringing It Black: Small Business Saturday!

We’ll be spotlighting amazing minority-owned businesses, enjoying delicious food, sweet treats, and spreading nothing but good vibes. All that’s missing is you!

Location: The Center 1914 E 11th St N suite b, Wichita, KS 67214

Date: November 29, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

(Setup: 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Tear down: 2:00–3:00 p.m. — must be completed by 3:00 p.m.)

Vendor Fees

Standard: $75

Vendors must bring their own 6×6 table, 2 chairs, and any additional setup needs.

Kidpreneurs: $25

Note: Kidpreneur booths must be operated by the kids themselves.

Informational booths not selling items: $25

Register today – https://forms.gle/jRJcafZmpRX4TVAq8

Say Grace Race
2025-11-27 09:30 - 17:00 | KS
So, we need YOU to sign-up for the West Heights UMC team this year by going to https://www.gracemed.org/get-involved/say-grace-race. Then, click on the “Register Today” button and follow the instructions. Make sure you join the “West Heights UMC” team!

If you would like to volunteer instead and be a team member, volunteer here! Make sure you tell GraceMed you want to join our team!

The Say Grace Race is GraceMed’s signature fundraising event and is also Wichita’s largest local 5K race. The annual family-friendly event has become a Thanksgiving tradition in our community. You are invited to come out with family and friends to run, walk, or stroll through Midtown, one of Wichita’s most historic neighborhoods. Then enjoy all your holiday indulgences GUILT FREE! Participant perks include: CHIP timing, race t-shirt, finisher medal, unique awards for overall and age-group winners, team awards, fruit and water.

Questions? Contact Dave Glover at missions@westheightsumc.org or 316-207-2190

Illuminations
2025-11-24 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-23 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-22 17:30 - 22:00 | Botanica, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS, 67203
From November 22 to January 3, step into a world of wonder every night as we transform Botanica into the brightest spot in Kansas. Recently voted one of the Top 10 Best Light Shows in the country, Illuminations is THE ultimate holiday experience for making memories and starting new traditions with friends and family.

With over two million lights, this year’s event brings even more magic! Wander through our NEW one-of-a-kind vibrant butterfly installation located in the Butterfly House, explore our enchanted 62-foot Christmas tree that dances to holiday tunes, the holiday train express, and our very own land of miniatures full of holiday flare, and take in light displays around every corner.

You won’t want to miss a single second of this spectacular holiday show! Enjoy all your favorite displays and see something new!! Groove by the Funky Tree, lose yourself in the Meadow Show, and find countless other hidden gems throughout the gardens.

Before the night ends, hop on the Khicha Family Carousel for a classic ride, swing by to see Santa and drop off your letter, and pick up special edition Illuminations apparel! Santa will be at Illuminations through December 23.

Visit on a weekend for a spirited experience! For a calmer vibe, weeknights are a great option.

Special edition Illuminations apparel will be for sale at our pop-up gift shops and online.

Get your tickets today to Wichita’s Premier Light Display: https://botanica.org/illuminations/

ARISE IN CONCERT
2025-11-23 17:30 - 20:00 | KS
ARISE ENSEMBLE IN CONCERT. PURCHASE A TICKET TO THE 2026 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING HEROES/SHEROES AWARDS BREAKFAST WHICH WILL BE HELD JANUARY 19, 2026 FOR $40 AND YOUR TICKET TO THIS CONCERT IS FREE CONTACT 316-258-2749 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Holiday Tree Lighting
2025-11-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Bradley Fair Shopping Center, 2132 North Rock Road, #102, Wichita, KS, 67206, United States
Join us for a joyful night of music, community, and holiday magic.

– Take a ride on the Bradley Fair Express – an electric train that will take your entire family on a journey through Bradley Fair from 4- 7 PM with ticket proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. $5/person ages 5+. Children under 5 ride free. Tickets can also be purchased on-site the day-of, but note no cash will be accepted. Digital card payment only. Nonrefundable.– Photos with Santa– Meet and greet with surprise holiday characters– Live entertainment on the Plaza by the Studio Singers– An appearance from the Metropolitan Ballet– The tree will be lit at 6 PM– Food and beverage samples– Hot cocoa+ more!

Community Food Giveaway
2025-11-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Calvary Baptist Church, 2653 N Hillside, Wichita, Kansas, 67219
Calvary will be partnering with National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., World Vision and Black Men United to host a Thanksgiving-Giveaway on our church grounds.

We will have over 100 Thanksgiving boxes to give away. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. One box per home. We will begin the distribution at 12n. Pull up, pop your trunk, or open your car door and receive your box of groceries with a free 12-15lbs Turkey.

Your All Invited to Lunch
2025-11-22 12:00 - 16:00 | The Center, 1914 E 11th St N, Wichita, KS, 67214, United States
Bring the kids, everything is FREE. Put the Unity back in the Community. Meats, sides, drinks & desert

THANKSGIVING TURKEY GIVEAWAY
2025-11-22 09:00 - 13:00 | ALBERT PIKE LODGE, 3013 W CENTRAL, WICHITA, Kansas, 67203
Gather, give, and gobble. Sharing and caring to share joy and happiness with the people in our community, we will giveaway 150 Turkey dinner boxes only 150 spots open for registration.

Must be on the list of 150 applicants

1 box per family

Scan the QR code in the ad for registration

Contact information or questions 316-771-9563

KORLEONE YOUNG & THE KANSAS FREEMASONS

Thanksgiving Food Distribution
2025-11-22 06:30 - 10:30 | KS
Each car will receive—completely free!—a frozen turkey and a grocery bag filled traditional Thanksgiving fixings to feed 4-6 people.

Here are the details:» FREE turkey, plus other ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner» Recipients must be in a car and drive through the line» Only one turkey/grocery bag per car

Simply Poetry Season 6 Ep 3: Ft TeiannaReAL (Chicago)
2025-11-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Simply Sangria Wine Co., 243 N. Cleveland Ave, Wichita, KS, 67214, United States
Come out and Enjoy our 6th Year celebrating Poetry and Poets from throughout the Heartland!

Featuring TeiannaReAL (Chicago, IL) for Sols Spotlight!

4th Annual Merry & Bright Union Station Lighting Event & Toy Drive
2025-11-20 17:30 - 21:00 | KS
Come join us for a night of fun with:

Toy drive to benefit the Wichita Children’s HomeLighting of the Great Plains Transportation Museum trainKWCH Channel 12 will cover the event live with co-sponsor SummitMedia (KFDI-FM 101.3)Pat Strathman of ESPN will EmceeKWCH, Summit Media, ESPN & KMUW are broadcast sponsorsPhotos with SantaCarriage rides with Brower CarriagesInteractive Kids’ Station with Envision Arts GalleryLearning Lab Chriskindlmarket tableLive performance by Ballet WichitaLive performance by Wichita Chorus Sweet Adelines, Wichita Children’s Theater & Dance, and Knocknasheega!Cocoa and cookies with Insomnia Cookies and VixxoFireworks with Victory PyrotechnicsThe Wichita Police Department Mounted Unit

W Professional Development Series #4 - The Power of Legacy
2025-11-20 17:30 - 19:00 | KS
Join us as we wrap up W’s 20th year with an inspiring panel conversation on Legacy. Hear from local leaders as they share personal stories about growth, purpose, and what it means to build a lasting impact in their work and life. Panelists: Bobby Gandu, WSU – Donna Wright, Kansas Business Services – John Rolfe CEO Chamber of Commerce. Emceed by Jena Leigh Curtis, Owner of The Heat with Jena. Closing remarks by Dallas Owen, Vice President of Sales at Iron Insurance Partners and W’s 2026 Board Chair.

Liberated Grounds Mix & Mingle
2025-11-20 17:00 - 21:00 | Vine Street Brewing Co., 2010 Vine Street, #Building 2A, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Kansas City, it’s time to build! Join Liberated Grounds for an evening of powerful connections and life-altering conversations.

Wichita City Manager Finalist
2025-11-18 17:30 - 21:00 | Botanica, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS, 67203
Come meet the three finalists for Wichita’s next City Manager!

A public forum will take place giving residents the chance to ask questions and get to know the candidates.

WHY TRUMP
2025-11-16 15:30 - 19:00 | Dunbar Theater, 1007 N Cleveland
Documentary screening and discussion. Part 2 Two Americas. Documentary from 7X Emmy award winner Brian Schodorf

KC Fade Wars 2025 – Kansas City Barber Battle & Expo
2025-11-16 13:00 - 20:00 | KS
KC Fade Wars

Welcome to the ultimate battle of fades in Kansas City! Join us for a day filled with fierce competition, creativity, and camaraderie as barbers showcase their skills and talents. Whether you’re a barber looking to prove your expertise or a fade enthusiast wanting to witness jaw-dropping transformations, this event is for you. Get ready to witness some of the sharpest fades in town and be part of the buzzing atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this epic showdown of shear skills and fade finesse!
