JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 7, 2025 – Looking for activities that are a little different this spring? Check out these programs at Missouri state parks in the Kansas City area.

  • Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. – Rhythm and Threads at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center in Kansas City.
    Visitors are invited to a hands-on textile class and drumming experience in this program at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, located at 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Kansas City. The event schedule follows:
    • 2-2:45 p.m. – Hands-on textile class with Ashlynn Bonds. (Registration is required.)
    • 2:45- 3:15 p.m. – Refreshments.
    • 3:15-4 p.m. – West African drumming with the Traditional Music Society.

This event is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up for the textile class, please call 816-764-8678 or email cecelia.brueggemann@dnr.mo.gov.

  • Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. – Hispano Capitalista of the Santa Fe Trail at Watkins Mill State Park.
    In 1821, Missouri became a state and Mexico became a nation, the latter having gained independence from Spain. Shortly after achieving independence, Mexico opened trade with the United States. Hispano and American entrepreneurs were ready and able to make the Santa Fe Trail a two-way international trade route and a conduit for cultural exchange between the two nations. This presentation will explore the role of Hispano capitalists who facilitated the success of the Santa Fe Trail. The presentation will take place in the visitor center’s AV room. The park is located at 26600 Park Road N in Lawson.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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