Category: Events

Hollywood Casino gears up for Kansas Speedway’s first night races

Chefs and staff at Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway have created a full weekend of activities for race goers as well as those looking for an exciting way to celebrate gaming, racing, food and nightlife throughout the venues at Hollywood Casino.

Kansas Speedway will hold its first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race on May 10. In addition, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run under the lights the evening before for the first time on Friday, May 9. Festivities are planned throughout the weekend at Hollywood Casino to coincide with the races debut.

“We’ve scheduled a variety of specials, restaurant events and parties that will appeal to race goers, casino guests and local Kansas Citians alike. Many people during a race weekend might be curious about the fanfare or race goers may be looking for a great after-party. We’ve got something for everyone,” said Dean Doria, vice president of marketing.

Hollywood Casino race weekend events:
Thursday, May 8

Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver meet and greet at Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant, Hollywood Casino.

The public is invited to Turn 2 Sports Bar between 7:30 and 9 p.m. to mix and mingle with NASCAR Driver Brad Keselowski, who will sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. He is the driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Car.

Turn 2 is inside Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kan. The bar and restaurant is situated along the second turn of Kansas Speedway. Guests access the bar/restaurant from the escalator off the casino floor, and it offers sweeping views and a balcony of the entire Kansas Speedway. The sports-themed restaurant features dozens of TVs, a lounge setting, and a superior casual menu. Guests must be 21 to enter the casino.

Friday, May 9

Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant will be open during the day for viewing of the time trials and driver’s practice runs.

Marquee Cafe, a casual contemporary cafe featuring traditional American favorites, will be open until 11 p.m. Friday for late night dining following the race.

Final Cut Steakhouse, located just off the casino floor at Hollywood Casino, is the fine dining steakhouse restaurant with an intimate, romantic, upscale ambiance and spectacular views of Kansas Speedway. Open until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Saturday, May 10

Following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race, the band, Outlaw Junkies, will take the stage for an after party on the patio overlooking the Speedway. This is the first time the patio has been open to the public during race weekend. Drinks will be for sale on the patio and food will be served until 1 a.m. inside Turn 2 Sports Bar. (The post-race patio party is subject to weather cancellation)

Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day)

Moms love racing and gaming too. The Epic Buffet at Hollywood Casino offers a buffet on May 11, Mother’s Day, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.  The cost of the buffet is $32.99. Those 21 and older can enjoy such dishes as snow crab legs, peel and eat shrimp, baked salmon filets, orange glazed baked ham, country fried chicken, barbecue ribs, sushi and other items including desserts such as New York style cheesecake, chocolate torte and flan.

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, which opened in February 2012, is located at 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd., near Kansas Turnpike I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kan.

BPU board meeting changed

The Board of Directors of the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities will convene on Wednesday, May 14, instead of Wednesday, May 7.

The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the BPU Administration Building located at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan., and is open to the public.

Saturday events

Polski Day celebration planned May 3
The 30th annual Polski Day celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at All Saints Parish, 8th and Vermont Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., at the St. Joseph Church site. The festival features live music, dancing and ethnic food. A parade starts at 11 a.m. at 12th and Central, proceeding to 8th and Vermont. Live music is planned. A polka Mass will be held at 4 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo parade planned May 3
The seventh annual downtown Cinco de Mayo parade is planned at 11 a.m. May 3 in Kansas City, Kan. The parade starts at 6th and Minnesota, travels west on Minnesota and ends on 12th Street, where a festival will take place. There will be food, entertainment, children’s activities, music, and dancing at the festival. The event is sponsored by Bonito Michoacan market.

Marble Day to be May 3 in Bonner Springs
The eighth annual Marble Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in downtown Bonner Springs, Kan. The event is at Oak Street and Centennial Park. The event kicks off with a Marble Day 5k run at 8 a.m., followed by a Tractor Cruise and Wacky Parade at 9:30 a.m.  After opening ceremonies at 10:15 a.m., a marble tournament is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Marble activities and old-fashioned games are planned from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  A bike rodeo will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  One of the unique Bonner Springs events, the “Running of the Pinkys,” is planned at noon. It involves a competition where pinky balls are released. The winners of this activity will be announced at 1 p.m. For more information, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/marble-day-to-be-may-3-in-bonner-springs/.

Benefit pancake breakfast planned for Shepherd’s Center

A benefit pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Shepherd’s Center will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Cross-Lines Retirement Center, 3030 Powell, Kansas City, Kan. The donation for pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee will be $8. Cross-Lines residents will pay $6. The Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., is an interfaith,  multicultural nonprofit organization that promotes and supports successful aging.

Maywood pancake breakfast planned

All the pancakes you can eat will be offered for $6 at Maywood Community Church Saturday, May 3. Prepared by “Chris Cakes,” pancakes will be served from 9 a.m. until noon at the church at 11201 Parallel Parkway. Open to the public and sponsored by Maywood’s Relay for Life Team, all proceeds will go the American Cancer Society.

Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners annual plant sale to be May 3
The annual plant sale of the Wyandotte County Master Gardeners will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or as long as inventory is left) Saturday, May 3, at the Wildcat Room, Wyandotte County Extension office, 1200 N. 79th St., Kansas City, Kan. The Wyandotte County Master Gardeners will offer tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, herbs, and other vegetable and fruit plants started by the members, and collections of perennials, annuals, Kansas native wildflowers and ornamental grasses. New to the sale this year will be succulent plants, gently used books and gardening supplies. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with selections and answer gardening questions. For information, call 913-299-9300.

Fishing derby planned May 3
A kids fishing derby is planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cabela’s, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kan. Kids may bring their own fishing equipment to participate.

Blue Devil 5k Fun Run – Walk and Kids Trot to be May 3
The Blue Devil 5k Fun Run – Walk and Kids Trot will be held starting at 9 a.m. Saturday May 3, at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Conference Center, 7250 State Ave.

Health for All Soccer Day scheduled
A Health for All Soccer Day will take place from 7 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at St. Margaret’s Park, 230 S. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. It is free for youth. Youths may register at www.kansascityymca.org/about-y-news/free-soccer-days-clinics or show up 20 minutes early. T-shirts and other items may be given away. For information, call 913-439-9349.

Residents plan garage sale
The resident council of Westgate Towers, 6100 Leavenworth Road, will have a garage sale Friday-Sunday (May 2, 3 and 4) in the highrise parking lot.

Mid-Life Players presents ‘Cats’ in concert May 3 at Alcott
The Mid-Life Players, a local nonprofit musical theater group, will present a concertized performance of the Andrew Lloyd Webber favorite, “Cats,” this Saturday, May 3, at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., in Kansas City, Kan. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com.